Lake Charles, LA —

Adult education in Louisiana is being repurposed, and one local organization is at the forefront of the change.
“In the last year, the state began to make a lot of changes and one of the biggest changes was to pilot a program where adult education worked closely with the technical college system,” said Falencia Ezendu.
The Literacy Council of Southwest Louisiana, where Ezendu is Program Director, has made this area a part of the new program.
“Our executive director wrote a grant at the end of last year, and we were one of eight adult education programs in the state of Louisiana that was actually chosen to pilot a dual enrollment program,” said Ezendu.
Less than two weeks ago, a group of select students working on their General Equivalency Diploma (GED) with the Literacy Council began coursework at Sowela Technical Community College. Courses at Sowela were chosen by the administration, and the work will be graded.  For the chance to earn five college credits, students are currently taking ITEC 1000 Application Basics and Jobs 2450.    
“We began testing in December and over 80 students tested for the pilot,” said Ezendu.  “Currently we have 30 students attending classes. Classes are from Monday through Thursday, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.”
The students range in age from 17 to 50 years old, and each has had to meet certain requirements.  All of the students had to take the Test of Adult Basic Education (TABE), which is used by the majority of adult education programs in the U.S. to determine reading, language and math levels. Students over the age of 18 had to score at a seventh grade level minimum on all three subjects. As well, they had to submit a clear writing sample, complete an interview, finish required paperwork and sign a learner contract detailing their commitment to the project.
“We were looking for students who would actually be able to complete the program,” said Ezendu of the requirements.
Only three slots are set aside each semester for students under 18. Those students have to show their commitment to the program with, among other considerations, letters of recommendation and parental commitments.
The Literacy Council also has each student take the COMPASS test in order to get “a base reading of where the student would be if they enrolled in Sowela at that point in their lives.”  Sowela normally uses the test as a means of deciding where a potential student is placed in the system, i.e. whether or not they would need to take developmental courses.
“Of the 30 we tested, about 28 would have to take at least one developmental class if they currently enrolled at Sowela,” said Ezendu.
“We are helping them to improve the skills they need to score well on the Compass test,” she added.
It’s a big commitment for the students who made the cut. There is the financial cost as well as the workload from the pursuit of trying to obtain a GED and earn college credit at the same time to consider.
The costs in financial terms was agreeable as, according to Transition Coordinator April Lowe, the tuition was waived, and all other associated fees amounted to $75.
As for their studies, the students do some of their work online and they have access to tutors. Sowela instructors are available to assist students in math, reading and writing.
Lowe, as the Transition Coordinator, also works with the students to help them decide on a career path and a work plan.
As the program only allows in 30 students each semester, some applicants did not make the cut. In April, the Literacy Council will begin taking applications for the summer semester.
“If the student meets the qualifications, but we run out of space, then we put them on a waiting list. Those on this semester’s waiting list can enter during the summer semester,” said Lowe.  
“If their TABE scores are not high enough to qualify for the program, then we have them come in and take classes with the Literacy Council,” she added.
For those interested in the dual enrollment program, contact Lowe at the Literacy Council offices, 337-494-7000.

On the web:
http://www.literacyswla.org/
http://www.sowela.edu/

Adult education in Louisiana is being repurposed, and one local organization is at the forefront of the change.
“In the last year, the state began to make a lot of changes and one of the biggest changes was to pilot a program where adult education worked closely with the technical college system,” said Falencia Ezendu.
The Literacy Council of Southwest Louisiana, where Ezendu is Program Director, has made this area a part of the new program.
“Our executive director wrote a grant at the end of last year, and we were one of eight adult education programs in the state of Louisiana that was actually chosen to pilot a dual enrollment program,” said Ezendu.
Less than two weeks ago, a group of select students working on their General Equivalency Diploma (GED) with the Literacy Council began coursework at Sowela Technical Community College. Courses at Sowela were chosen by the administration, and the work will be graded.  For the chance to earn five college credits, students are currently taking ITEC 1000 Application Basics and Jobs 2450.    
“We began testing in December and over 80 students tested for the pilot,” said Ezendu.  “Currently we have 30 students attending classes. Classes are from Monday through Thursday, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.”
The students range in age from 17 to 50 years old, and each has had to meet certain requirements.  All of the students had to take the Test of Adult Basic Education (TABE), which is used by the majority of adult education programs in the U.S. to determine reading, language and math levels. Students over the age of 18 had to score at a seventh grade level minimum on all three subjects. As well, they had to submit a clear writing sample, complete an interview, finish required paperwork and sign a learner contract detailing their commitment to the project.
“We were looking for students who would actually be able to complete the program,” said Ezendu of the requirements.
Only three slots are set aside each semester for students under 18. Those students have to show their commitment to the program with, among other considerations, letters of recommendation and parental commitments.
The Literacy Council also has each student take the COMPASS test in order to get “a base reading of where the student would be if they enrolled in Sowela at that point in their lives.”  Sowela normally uses the test as a means of deciding where a potential student is placed in the system, i.e. whether or not they would need to take developmental courses.
“Of the 30 we tested, about 28 would have to take at least one developmental class if they currently enrolled at Sowela,” said Ezendu.
“We are helping them to improve the skills they need to score well on the Compass test,” she added.
It’s a big commitment for the students who made the cut. There is the financial cost as well as the workload from the pursuit of trying to obtain a GED and earn college credit at the same time to consider.
The costs in financial terms was agreeable as, according to Transition Coordinator April Lowe, the tuition was waived, and all other associated fees amounted to $75.
As for their studies, the students do some of their work online and they have access to tutors. Sowela instructors are available to assist students in math, reading and writing.
Lowe, as the Transition Coordinator, also works with the students to help them decide on a career path and a work plan.
As the program only allows in 30 students each semester, some applicants did not make the cut. In April, the Literacy Council will begin taking applications for the summer semester.
“If the student meets the qualifications, but we run out of space, then we put them on a waiting list. Those on this semester’s waiting list can enter during the summer semester,” said Lowe.  
“If their TABE scores are not high enough to qualify for the program, then we have them come in and take classes with the Literacy Council,” she added.
For those interested in the dual enrollment program, contact Lowe at the Literacy Council offices, 337-494-7000.

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