IACET Continues to Partner with the American Association for Adult and Continuing Education (AAACE)
Adult, continuing and community education associations across the globe all share the need to disseminate information about their professional development opportunities and other work done by their associations. Adult educators from all facets of the field need to be able to connect with one another at times when many voices acting as one is more powerful than a single voice acting alone. Only by connecting and collaborating will we be able to ensure the ultimate vision expressed by AAACE of a "more humane world made possible by the diverse practice of our members in helping adults acquire the knowledge, skills and values needed to lead productive and satisfying lives."
IACET CEO, Casandra Blassingame, states “AAACE is a premier adult educator professional association that has its finger on the pulse of best practices in adult education. It is home to some of the best minds within the academy! In years past, I have served as editorial assistant for the Adult Learning Journal under the leadership of Dr. Paulette Isaac-Savage (UM- St. Louis); I have been a member; and served as a peer reviewer for submissions for annual conference presentations. I was excited to come on board and see that we have had a relationship with AAACE since 2016. We are excited about the new IACET/AAACE partnership agreement and look forward to collaborative efforts that continue to produce innovative outcomes within the continuing education and training space.”
Mary V. Alfred, PhD goes on to say “As President of the AAACE, I am pleased to welcome the IACET as a continuing partner in the advancement of education and lifelong learning to prepare adults for a better tomorrow. AAACE holds the view that it is through partnerships and collaborations that we can together realize the vision of developing equitable learning systems where adults can acquire the knowledge, skills, and values needed to lead productive and satisfying lives. Together we are stronger in advocating for the adult learner within the myriad of contexts where learning occurs.”
This agreement between IACET/AAACE seeks to form partnerships with associations, institutions and organizations based upon the commonality of goals expressed in their: mission, vision, and values. Our two associations will move forward together, in mutually beneficial ways, to support one another's work and see themselves as partners with other like-minded associations and colleagues. These partnerships have the potential to strengthen common ties among adult, continuing, and community education associations on an international scale, thereby solidifying our identities and our potential to truly make a difference.
The IACET's mission is to improve the quality of continuing education and training worldwide through accreditation with the vision to advance the global workplace. IACET's history includes the development of the original Continuing Education Unit (CEU) and creation and maintenance of the ANSI/IACET Standard for Continuing Education and Training. IACET uses the ANSI/IACET Standard, in-depth research on the learning process and a nationwide network of experts to help continuing education and training providers to develop a framework for continuous improvement and a superior learning experience.
The AAACE mission is to provide leadership for the field of adult and continuing education by expanding opportunities for adult growth and development; unifying adult educators; fostering the development and dissemination of theory, research, information, and best practices; promoting identity and standards for the profession; and advocating relevant public policy and social change initiatives.