PARTNERSHIPS WITH THE ADULT EDUCATION CENTER
School Districts
The Center has a good relationship with the school districts, collaborating on family literacy grants and youth projects. The Adult Education Center and a local high school, for example, created the Option C Program for students who are failing high school and not likely to meet the requirements for an on-time graduation. High school counselors refer students to the program to help students build their mathematics and reading skills. For some students, their improved mathematics and reading skills will encourage them to stay in school and complete their high school requirements. For others, the Option C program can help prepare them for the GED test. Students go to the Center after normal school hours and work independently on homework, attend classes, or meet with tutors.
In another collaborative agreement between the Center and local school districts, teachers provide instruction in ABE at juvenile detention centers. These instructors attend the Center's staff meetings and professional development programs. School districts also collaborate on family literacy projects in varied ways, such as providing space, sponsoring programs like "Dinner and a Book," and giving financial support.
The region's correctional facilities, the county jail systems, and the juvenile detention centers are all partners with the Center, which sends instructors weekly to work with inmates who request to participate or are referred by correctional facility staff. Correctional staff work closely with instructors to ensure that classroom space is available and the inmates are released for classes. The instructors conduct small classes, tutor individual students, and do testing and some counseling. The program is highly individualized and geared to helping inmates build basic skills and prepare for the GED test. Instructors use the same intake form and enrollment process used at the Center, so that when inmates are released the information can be transferred to the Center and they can continue their education.