Mary Ann Corley, Ph.D.

Mary Ann Corley, Ph.D., is an adult literacy consultant/professional learning specialist. Her more than 35 years of experience in adult education includes teacher, local program administrator, Maryland State GED Administrator, and Director of the National Adult Literacy and Learning Disabilities Center. She is recently retired as Principal Researcher for the American Institutes for Research (AIR) in Washington, DC, where she directed the Teaching Excellence in Adult Literacy (TEAL) project (2009-2015), with a focus on evidence-based writing instruction. Also at AIR, Corley directed the California Adult Literacy Professional Development (CALPRO) Project (2001-2008), developing and facilitating training for adult educators throughout California, and she served as AIR’s lead professional development specialist on the National Reporting System (NRS), developing training on data analysis, management, and reporting (2002-2011). In 1988, the Baltimore County program she directed received the U.S. Secretary of Education’s award for “Outstanding Adult Basic Education Program.” Now an independent consultant, Corley focuses primarily on translating educational research to practice and creating professional development materials for adult educators on effective teaching practices and on instructional leadership.