Butler Community College - ABE/GED - How To Use Adult Education Services

How to Use Adult Education Services

“Drop-in allows drop-out quickly. Adult Education deals with people who need structure. ”
- Dianne Glass, Adult Education Director Kansas Board of Regents, April 15, 2003

-To better serve students, Butler Community College has restructured its Adult Education/General Educational Development (GED) program. Program information follows:

- To qualify for the program, persons must be at least 16 years old, not enrolled in school, and have not graduated from high school. If potential students already have a high school diploma or GED, they may qualify for services through an assessment procedure.

- Students under 18 years old must obtain a disclaimer from the school district in which they reside. When registering for orientation and/or any type of testing, a parent or legal guardian are required to accompany them.

- To enter a class, a potential student must complete and pass a two-day orientation session . Orientations for Literacy, ABE, Pre GED, FastTrack and PASS classes will be offered throughout the year. Potential students are required to register in person prior to orientation and provide a current Kansas photo identification. At orientation, students’ skills are assessed using the Comprehensive Adult Student Assessment System (CASAS) scores and a recommendation is made for a particular class or GED testing. In addition, they will receive information about the program's services and classes, as well as, other community resources available to them. Following orientation those wishing to enroll in a class will schedule an individual Educational Planning Meeting.

- The Educational Planning Meeting occurs within two weeks after orientation. The student meets one-on-one with the instructor of the recommended class. An in-depth discussion of class curriculum and personal goals occurs to help determine if that class is appropriate for the student.

- Only intensive classes will be offered Monday through Friday. Workplace Essential Skills (WES) and basic technology skills - required in today's business world - are integrated into all classes.

- If someone wants to attend the Workplace Essential Skills class and does not qualify for services, they are welcome to attend, but will be charged a fee.

- WorkKeys Foundational and Personal Skills assessments provide reliable, relevant information about workplace skill levels. WorkKeys Foundational Skills assessments measure cognitive abilities such as applied mathematics, reading for information, and locating information. WorkKeys Personal Skills assessments are designed to predict job behavior and measure the full potential of individuals. Persons who score at certain levels on three workkeys assessments--applied mathematices, reading for information, and locating information--will qualify for a WORKReady certificate.

- Class attendance is mandatory. Attendance policies are enforced strictly. Information about the attendance policy for any particular class will be discussed in Orientation.

- Class instruction is free; however, a non-refundable materials fee will be charged for each class. The fee is $25. Fees are payable by cash or money order payable to Butler Community College (no personal checks) at the time of orientation registration.

- Agencies paying student fees (i.e. Headstart, Mid-CAP, SRS, WIA, churches, etc. ) should give the student a signed, written notice with billing information.

- Students are expected to progress during a class session, but student's skills and goals vary. Upon completing a class session, students who desire additional instruction to reach their goal(s) may need to enroll in another series of classes. An additional materials fee will be charged at that time.

- With a 24-hour notice, we can provide letters and/or reports regarding progress, attendance, and/or enrollment.

- Individuals who may be entitled to reasonable testing accommodations under the law for the Official Practice Test (OPT) and GED test should contact the local GED Examiner and request the proper forms at least one month prior to the scheduled test date. The GED Examiner will explain the process required to request testing accommodations.

- Tthe Adult Education program at the Workforce Development Center, 131 N. Haverhill, El Dorado, Kansas, is one of 20 regional GED testing sites in Kansas. The Official GED ® Practice Test (OPT) and the Official GED ® Test are scheduled in block sessions at various times throughout the year.

- Prior to taking the GED test battery, the State of Kansas requires examinees to pass with qualifying scores the Official GED Practice Test (OPT). Practice test scores from other testing sites cannot be transferred. Registration must be in person at least 24 hours prior to the test date. At registration, examinees will be required to provide current Kansas photo identification, sign a test agreement, and pay the $25 test fee (cash or money order payable to Butler County Community College). Students enrolled in a class will be referred to OPT by their instructor when they have reached the skill level required. Examinees must be over 16 years old to take the OPT. However, if under the age of 18, examinee must have a disclaimer from the school district in which they reside and be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.

- Walk-ins over 16 years old who want to take the OPT, but feel they will not need test preparation or other Adult Education services may register at least 24 hours prior to the test date. They are required to provide current Kansas photo identification, sign a test agreement, and pay the $25 test fee (cash or money order payable to Butler County Community College). However, if under the age of 18, examinee must have a disclaimer from the school district in which they reside and be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.

- After successfully completing the entire OPT battery, examinees may register for the Official GED Test. Registration must be in person at least 24 hours prior to the test date. At registration, an examinee will show photo identification, sign a test agreement, fill out a demographic form and state application, and pay a $68 test fee (cash or money order payable to Butler County Community College). If between the ages of 16 to 18, examinee must have a disclaimer from the school district in which they reside and be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.

- Upon successful completion of the GED test battery, examinees receive a Kansas State High School Diploma. According to National Center for the Study of Adult Learning and Literacy (NCSALL) research conducted by Brown University's John Tyler, recipients of a GED earn 5% to 25% more than similar workers without a GED. Completion of the GED signals to employers that a Kansas State High School diploma holder may have higher academic skills, a more positive attitude, greater motivation, and a deeper commitment to work than high school dropouts. Butler Community College administers 100 to 250 successful GED test batteries annually.

- A GED Graduation ceremony is offered one time a year for those who successfully complete the GED. There is a small fee for the cap, gown and diploma cover. Family and friends are welcome to attend. A reception follows the ceremony.

- Butler Community College offers the opportunity to apply for academic scholarships to first-time college students who pass the GED: $500 for scores of 3100 to 3190, $750 for scores of 3200 and above. The Butler Adult Education/GED program also has limited scholarships for the students who complete the GED: These are awarded by the Division Executive Director.

This change will allow students the opportunity to receive instruction from a qualified instructor and reap multiple benefits. Students are expected to reach goals quicker, gain self-confidence, improve their lives by improving skills that will make them more employable, such as teamwork and goal setting skills, acquire life skills, as well as, skills for entry into post-secondary education, and become more productive citizens and employees.