Julia Martin told Iola Rotarians Thursday the General Education Development (GED) program at Allen Community College had changed with the dawning of the new year.
“It now is aligned with Common Core,” she said, which requires more preparation time for students to acquire knowledge needed to complete a GED test and be awarded the equivalent of a high school diploma.
Common Core standards were developed by the National Governors Association and the Council of Chief State School Officers. The new standards focus on what students will use in life.
Martin said GED instruction, as well as other adult ed programs at ACC, was meant to prepare students for lifetime employment, through instruction in traditional subjects, along with skills necessary for finding and keeping a job.
They are tutored in how to develop a resume and interview for a job, as well as skills for maintaining a job with emphasis on such things as time management.
The adult ed division also prepares students to succeed in college.
Martin said that relates to both non-traditional students, those who have been out of high school for years, as well as high school graduates who need help before moving further up the educational ladder.
She said when Haldex Brake closed, some employees who had been there 20 years or more were caught in the lurch.
“They had planned to work there until they retired and all of a sudden they were out of a job,” Martin said.
Those who decided to enroll at ACC found it a little difficult to “get back in the flow” of education.
“We helped them get comfortable in the college atmosphere,” Martin said.
ACC also is associated with KANSASWORKS, an exchange where people can look for employment and employers can advertise for workers.
“We provide preparation and testing for KANSASWORKS certification,” she said.
Yet another phase of Martin’s daily routine is helping people involved with Drug Court improve life and work skills.
“We want to help empower them,” Martin said.
“It’s exciting to see the life-changing things that happen,” she said.
“Basically, what we offer is above basic literacy,” Martin continued, although literacy needs are found infrequently. When need arises, volunteers are sought to help those who can’t read.
In response to a question, she said the college had detected little need in recent years for instruction of English as a second language.
ACC helps ‘older’ students
