Adult Education

Who is eligible?  Anyone who is 18 years of age or older and wants to get a GED OR someone who wants to upgrade their basic reading, math, language, and computer skills.

How long does it take?  That depends on you.  The classes are designed so that you can progress at your own rate.  You can take as much time as needed to complete the program.

How do you enroll?  Enrollment is provided on Mondays and Tuesdays. A completed enrollment form and enrollment test will ensure your spot in the program. Bring your Social Security Card, Driver’s License and a pencil. All classes and materials are provided at no cost to you.

ADULT EDUCATION MISSION STATEMENT
To provide, in collaboration with other agencies, educational opportunities for adults who lack the basic skills for effective citizenship and productive employment, including

• Basic education necessary to be literate
• Basic job training and retraining .
• Basic education necessary to complete at least the level of secondary school.
• Basic computer skills
• (ESL) instruction designed to increase English language proficiency.

ADULT EDUCATION PHILOSOPHY
To provide adult learners with opportunities to refine their basic academic skills, attain the Arkansas High School Diploma, and improve the life skills which prepare the citizen for self-sufficiency and a higher quality of life. The program will strive to meet the needs of its learners through varied class times and settings, individualized instruction, and materials and courses that are provided free of charge.

ADULT EDUCATION ADMISSION POLICY
The adult education program at SEARK Technical College is designed for the serious adult learner who desires, and can benefit from, the instruction. Persons eighteen (18) years of age or older may enroll in adult education programs and may be asked to provide proof of age prior to entering. Adult education shall not serve a student who is counted toward average daily membership in any secondary school system.

The adult education program reserves the right to request information about the student from the last school attended. The adult education program also reserves the right to deny enrollment if past behavior is determined to be a threat to the safety and learning environment of the school. In addition, the adult education program reserves the right to deny continuing participation of students who disrupt classes or who violate attendance policies or any other policies established by the College.

NOTE: This on-campus admission policy is not intended to exclude adult education services to eligible participants under the age of eighteen (18) years at various off-campus sites, i.e., Department of Community Corrections, where such services have been contracted and are considered to be in the best interests of the College, the adult education program, and the community.

ADULT EDUCATION CLASSES
Adult Basic Education (ABE) and GED classes are available free of charge on the SEARK campus to students wishing to improve their basic skills or prepare for the GED high school equivalency test. Day and evening classes are available. Enrollment is accepted on Mondays and Tuesdays. ABE/GED students are expected to adhere to all College and ABE/GED rules and regulations related to student Standards of Conduct. Upon receiving a GED diploma, students are encouraged to enroll in a degree, diploma or certificate program at the College. Phone the ABE/GED office at 543-5915 for enrollment details.

The class schedule for the 2007-2008 academic year is as follows:

BASIC COMPUTER LITERACY
A free 12-clock hour Basic Computer Literacy course is taught every four weeks. Any adult in the area may enroll.

Family Literacy/Parenting Education
SEARK College Adult Education teaches an off-campus Adult Literacy/Parenting class at the Department of Community Corrections.
Students will attend 8 classes once a week. Students then receive a Certificate of Completion. These classes are intended:

• Equip students with knowledge and skills necessary for effective parenting.
• Teach students how to apply various strategies and approaches to problems at each level.
• Help students understand what children are experiencing at different ages and stages in different situations.
• Understand the tasks of parents nourishing, protecting and guiding the course of development.

WAGE (Workforce Alliance for Growth in the Economy)
The WAGE Program is available to anyone over the age of 18 who wishes to improve basic skills as well as employability skills. WAGE offers computer skills and keyboarding. Work ethics and manners are taught through the Workplace Essential Skills Video Series. Resume’ development and interview skills are promoted through various methods. Through the AR Department of Workforce Education, WAGE offers three certificates – Employability, Clerical and Industrial. Each certificate has its own requirements. All services offered through the WAGE program are free of charge.

SEARK Career Pathways Program
The SEARK Career Pathways Program is designed to prepare low-income parents who are on public assistance for entry into one of six Certificate of Proficiency credit programs or selected area of study at SEARK College. Each of these programs is the first step on a continuous education pathway that leads to profitable employment or further education. The program is funded through TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families).

The student must have the following qualifications to enroll in the WAGE Career Pathways Program.

· Have custody of a child under the age of 19. The child must live in the home of the qualifying student AND
· Be a current or former TEA funds recipient OR
· Receive Foods Stamps, Medicaid or ARKids OR
· Have household income below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level.

The following classes are offered in the SEARK Career Pathways Program.

· Basic Skills Classes – Reading, Math, Language
· Classes from contextualized curricula
· Teknimedia Computer Literacy Training
· Employability and Job Readiness Skills
· Mavis Beacon Keyboard Training
· College Preparation
A Career Counselor will assess student using the Kuder or Career Pathways Interest and Aptitude Inventories.

ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE (ESL)
The Adult Education Department offers "English as a Second Language" classes on a continuous enrollment basis.  The class and all materials are free.  These classes can be provided on-site at your business location, if needed, along with providing flexible scheduling options.  Click here for more information.

SEARK Home Page | Site Map | Academic Programs | Academic Departments | WDC Home Page