Adult Education
NPCC ADULT BASIC EDUCATION PROGRAM
Education is our Focus; Student Success is our Goal
The NPCC Adult Education program assists adults to prepare for postsecondary education, successful careers, and productive lives. Instruction is conducted in an informal learning environment, and includes teacher-assisted individual instruction, teacher-led small group instruction, computer-aided instruction, as well as video and audio instruction. An individualized education plan is developed for each student upon enrollment and allows the student to begin at the appropriate educational functioning level. Progression is at his or her own pace.
·
Adult Basic Education (ABE) ABE is a pre-GED® program that offers instruction in basic literacy skills: reading, language, writing and math. Emphasis is on vocabulary development, comprehension improvement, dictionary skills, critical thinking, writing, basic math computation, and math problem solving. The curriculum is designed to prepare the student for further education, enhance basic skills required for job placement or advancement, and empower students to achieve their goals. Each person may do individualized work at his/her own pace. Enrollment is open-ended; students may enter the program at any time and exit as they choose.
· General Adult Education (GAE) The GAE program is designed to help students earn an Arkansas High School Diploma through the GED® program. Instruction is designed for students who need to improve reading, writing, or math skills to earn their GED® credential. Topics may focus on skill development through the areas of science, social studies, and literature. Emphasis is on vocabulary development, comprehension improvement, critical thinking, math computation, and math problem solving. Students are evaluated in the five subject areas tested on the GED® exam: Language Arts Writing, Language Arts Reading, Social Studies, Science and Mathematics.
· English as a Second Language The ESL program is designed to provide English language instruction to adult students whose primary language is not English. ESL classes concentrate on speaking and listening in the beginning levels and progress to include reading and writing skills. English Literacy and Civics Education (EL/Civics) instruction emphasizes the rights and responsibilities of citizenship, naturalization procedures, civic participation, U.S. history, and government.
. Distance Education/Learning This is a blended model of instruction that combines distance learning with limited face-to-face interaction. Intake, orientation, pre-test and post-tests will occur in a face-to-face setting. To qualify for the Distance Learning program students must score at the 6th grade level on the Test of Adult Basic Education and have access to a computer with high speed internet. Teachers support distance learners through communication by email, telephone, mail, and face-to-face meetings.
· Computer Literacy As a supplement to academic instruction, basic computer instruction is available for individuals with little or no previous computer training. This instruction is available through our WAGE™ program using Teknimedia software. Lesson topics include Windows, word processing, hardware and software, the Internet, and other needed skills.
· College Preparatory/Pre-employment High school graduates who score below the 12.9 grade level and wish to improve/review math, reading or language skills to prepare for further education or employment may enroll in adult education classes.
· WAGE Program Workforce Alliance for Growth in the Economy (WAGE™) is an employer-driven workforce training program. It is a partnership of local businesses, industry and community providers, along with the adult education program, to help entry-level employees increase their skills and abilities to meet the demands of today's jobs and the workforce needs of the community.
Students in the WAGE program may earn continuing education certificates: Employability, Customer Service I and II, Banking, Industrial, and Clerical. Through WAGE, participants master the basic skills necessary for reading, computation, problem solving, and communications. Instruction is customized to local business and industry needs.
Partnering employers offer job applicants added consideration if they have earned a WAGE certificate when qualifications between applicants are otherwise equal. Employers also use the WAGE program for existing workers to gain skills required for high performance work standards and technical training.
