Johnson County Adult Education Newsletter September/October 2016
Director’s Notes Rebranding Adult Education A rose by another name may smell as sweet, but adult education (AE) leaders across Kansas are currently wrestling with how to appropriately label our programs. For many years, most people outside AE programs have known us as GED and ESL. Some (usually within the program) have recognized the ABE (Adult Basic Education) label, but few know that ASE stands for Adult Secondary Education. All of these acronyms fall short of communicating today’s AE mission and expectations. Here’s why. The mission of AE has expanded beyond learning English and passing a high-school equivalency test. Our mission includes preparing adults for college and career success. Computer proficiency, problem solving skills and other “soft” skills are now commonly understood to be part of the core obligations of adult education. That said, many other programs are also focused on educating adults, so a generic “adult education” label overstates the scope of our program. GED® is now a registered trademark of GED Testing Service®, and is one of three high-school equivalency tests in use within the US. The State of Kansas may adopt another test of high school equivalency in the future. Calling ourselves “GED” is therefore inappropriate. ESL stands for English as a Second Language. This term is considered by many as obsolete and somewhat pretentious, as many of our students already speak multiple languages. More widely-accepted current terms are English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL), or English Language Learners (ELL). ABE or Adult Basic Education is less well-known, and many find the use of the term “basic” troubling as expectations of high school content knowledge and skills have expanded to include college and career readiness. ASE or Adult Secondary Education is not a well-known acronym, but fairly descriptive if one knows what it stands for. Most challenging is that attempting to discontinue use of the old acronyms name could inadvertently create further complications. Potential students and referrers type GED and ESL into their browsers to find us, and we want to make it as easy as possible to be found. So what are we to do? Regrettably, we don’t yet have a good, succinct answer. Regardless, we are working to update our mindset and language to begin a transition. We are attempting to be more intentional in selecting appropriate terms in our oral and written presentations, and hope gradually to migrate to updated labeling. We invite you to join the process with ideas and suggestions for transitioning in an effective manner. I’d love to hear from you! jblansit@jccc.edu
Janice Blansit Student Road to Success... The following is a thank you note from 2016 Graduate, Phillip Peter.
“To all Teachers and Staff, I hope you all had a great break over the summer and I could not forget to say a HUGE Thank you to everyone at JCAE for all your help and guidance in obtaining my GED and also the very helpful Mary A. Beatty Scholarship. I thought of you all today when Denise Dixon and I attended the JCCC Foundation lunch and again my wife and I could not thank you enough. I thank God for blessings like you all. God Bless, Phillip Peter P.S. Other great news is that I had an interview here at JCCC for a part-time job as a Lab-Tech under my teacher and I start next Monday. God is Good!!!”
Volunteer Spotlight Hailing from Cox’s Bazar, India, Anil Debroy has been volunteering with JCAE for four years. He first learned of the volunteering opportunity while playing bridge with another JCAE volunteer and was intrigued to learn how he could help students succeed. Having decades of chemistry behind him, first in the Quality Control department at ColgatePalmolive then at Midwest Research Institute, he knew that he could put his math knowledge to work helping students. During his volunteering tenure, he has volunteered nights at West Park and currently volunteers in the Monday / Wednesday Math Bridge class and Tuesdays mornings at the Antioch Library location. Anil is also a volunteer at Overland Park Regional Medical Center in the One Day Surgery area, where he prepares patient bays and assists patients following surgery and as they depart the Center. He also volunteers as a tax preparer and works out at the YMCA regularly, for fitness and to socialize. Anil has two daughters and three grandchildren to keep him busy outside of his extensive volunteering. Anil says that the best thing about volunteering is getting to know the students and understanding the situation they are in. He understands that he needs to be as calm as possible with the students, and to raise them up to help them succeed by teaching them at the level they are at, regardless of their age or background. He feels that he is improving himself by helping others improve, and move beyond their current situation. Anil recognizes that he finished high school a long time ago and he sometimes needs to review concepts in order to assist the students. This does not bother him though, as he enjoys the continuous learning and teaching others. He also has great advice for anyone thinking about volunteering. He says that “volunteering is a good thing. It is a way to pass the time and meet new people,� and he encourages others to volunteer. He also understands the financial impact volunteers have on an organization and feels blessed for the great opportunities he has had since graduating from the University of Calcutta and coming to the US; and he wants to give back and to honor those opportunities.
Cav Craze During the outdoor Cav Craze festival held August 24, Transition Coaches Jill Sigler and Valerie Jones shared brochures, information and giveaways with the JCCC campus community. This fun event was not only a great start to the fall semester, but helped raise awareness of the available JCAE programs.
Jill explains the details of how JCAE helps students to further their education after passing the GED exam.
Valerie is getting into the fun spirit of the day!
2016 JCAE Graduate and current JCCC student, Denise Dixon, stopped by to say hi.
JCAE Program Startups & Stats Strong Enrollment in New Student Orientations for ABE/GED and English Connection With one more enrollment session at each location, enrollment for the first quarter should easily meet or exceed the enrollment for the same time period last year. Students in ABE/GED work to improve their academic skills and gain college and career readiness skills. Many of the students in this program are preparing to take the GED® exam to earn their high school diploma. ******************* English Connection experienced higher enrollment over last year. Students testing too high for ESL and students seeking to take the GED® exam or improve their college and career readiness skills and need extra support on language are referred to the English Connection program. The class gives them a solid foundation to move forward with GED® prep and the skills needed to enter college and/or successful careers.
New Location for Olathe English Connection (EC) Class Olathe English Connection classes have moved from the Center of Grace and are now located in the Olathe Health Education Center (OHEC). Many EC students transition from EC into the ABE classroom to work on GED prep or College and Career Readiness skills. Being in the same building will smooth the transition.
New Computer Literacy Instruction and Assessments The Kansas Board of Regents (KBOR) has purchased North Star, a new computer literacy assessment tool for the state Adult Education Centers. The goal is to have students pass at least two assessments. All students will complete the Basic Computer Assessment. Once they pass the Basic Computer Assessment, they can choose from several additional options including, Web, Windows, Email, Word, Social Media, Excel and PowerPoint. Students earn certificates and electronic badges when they pass each module, helping them to enhance their resume. The free version of the assessments can be found at https:// www.digitalliteracyassessment.org/. The paid version allows the center to track progress and number of certificates awarded. This will help JCAE to earn quality points for potential increased funding.
Higher Enrollment in Bridge Classes Bridge classes are designed to address reading, writing and/or math skill gaps to prepare students for success in credit classes. Enrollment exceeded classroom capacity for both the Math and Language Arts Bridge classes. Two classes of the Language Arts class were needed last fall, but this is a first for the Math class. Students retake the Compass test at the end of class, and most demonstrate readiness for credit classes. We appreciate the assistance of the JCCC Testing and Assessment Center, Counseling Department, and Access Services to identify students who need the class to boost their scores and move into credit classes.
Instructor Nancy Brandt teaches the English Connection class at OHEC
Welcome new instructors and support staff Center of Grace-ESL Reema Al-Mutair Saule Heide Cathleen Peterson Timm Siebeneck—Grace and WP West Park Molly Fisher Shana McGinnis Brandon Pepin RC Julie Mulder, Language Arts Bridge Molly Fisher, Math Bridge. Support staff Carlita Washington—OHEC Deeva Sharma—Center of Grace Steve Brewer—Center of Grace
JCCC Lace Up for Learning 5K Run-Walk Join “ Team JCAE" on Sunday, October 9, 2016 as they make strides for scholarships! Participating in the Lace Up for Learning 5K Run-Walk is a great opportunity to support scholarships for JCCC students. If anyone is interested in walking or running as a team, here is the link to sign up. https://runsignup.com/
Race/KS/OverlandPark/ JCCCLaceUpforLearning5K SAVE THE DATE! During the week of November 14-18 and 21-22, JCAE staff, instructors and volunteers will have an opportunity to participate in “Definitely Denim” to raise funds for JCAE scholarships. Participation is simple. Just wear denim to work during those dates and make a donation of $5 per day or $25 for all 6 days! Sign up will begin in October. Donations can be made at the center where you work. Contact Valerie Jones at vjones18@jccc.edu or Jill Sigler at jsigler@jccc.edu. Thank you for supporting our students!
Johnson County Adult Education Phone: (913) 469-7621 www.jccc.edu/adulteducation
Janice Blansit Program Director Jill Sigler Volunteer Coordinator
Sponsored by: Johnson County Community College Johnson County Library
Johnson County Community College Olathe Center 21201 W. 152nd St. Olathe, KS 66061 Box 61
Please Keep Us Updated!
Upcoming Dates 2016
Do you have a new address or phone number?
Fri/September 30—Quarter 1 ends. All JCAE Employee Mandatory Trainings due.
Will you be taking a break from volunteering or are you unable to continue volunteering?
Mon/ October 3 7-9 pm Volunteer orientation Carlsen Center Rm. 212
Contact Jill Sigler Email: jsigler@jccc.edu Phone: 913-469-7677
Weather Information In case of bad weather, call 469-7605 to find out if JCAE classes will be canceled.
Sun/October 9—Lace Up For Learning Scholarship fundraiser 8 am at JCCC-GYM Mon./October 31 JCAE classes closed November 14 - 18 and 21, 22 Definitely Denim Days Scholarship fundraiser November 23-25—Thanksgiving break. JCAE and JCCC closed December 23-January 2 Winter break. JCAE and JCCC closed. ********************************** Fri/January 6—Staff In-Service—OHEC Fri/May 5, 2017—Volunteer Banquet Tue/May 16,2017—JCAE Graduation