Course Outline Builder

The Course Outline Builder is a free, user-friendly, web-based tool designed to help adult education agencies create clear, structured, and standards-aligned course outlines. It guides educators and program administrators through each step of the development process, from defining course goals and learning outcomes to organizing content and identifying instructional strategies and evaluation procedures.

With prompts and optional fields, the tool assists in the creation of course outlines that are comprehensive, consistent in design, and aligned with state recommendations. Users can easily select instructional strategies, evaluation procedures, and standards as well as input key elements such as course goals and purpose, performance objectives, and units of study. As an added resource, the tool includes built-in tips and examples that support best practices in adult learning.

Per the California Department of Education (CDE), WIOA-funded agencies must have a process for course approvals and a process for reviewing and authorizing course outlines. Once approved, course outlines must be kept on file for Federal Program Monitoring (FPM). A wide range of users will find the course outline builder a convenient and useful tool in becoming compliant with CDE requirements.

The Course Outline Builder also streamlines collaboration by allowing teams to review, edit, and update outlines in a centralized platform. Its flexible design accommodates a wide range of programs, including workforce development, ESL, basic skills, HSE, HSD, CTE, and continuing education courses. By simplifying what can often be a complex and time-consuming process, the tool enables agencies to focus more on delivering high-quality instruction and improving learner outcomes.