Adult Basic Education New Student Orientation

1
Adult Basic EducationNew Student Orientation

• Your local Adult Basic Education
• (ABE) program is here to serve you.

2
Greetings

• We are proud that you have decided to return to
  school to further your education. The decision
  you have made shows that you are concerned about
  your future and we look forward to assisting you
  as you strive to reach your personal goals. The
  purpose of this short slide show is to give you a
  better understanding of the Adult Basic Education
  program so you can receive the maximum benefit
  from the program.

3
Program Sponsorship

• This program is sponsored through Mississippi
  State Board for Community and Junior Colleges.
  Local programs are operated by participating
  public school districts, community colleges,
  community based organizations, and other
  institutions.

4
First Things FirstSetting Goals

• In order for this class to be successful for you,
  it is very important that you set goals for
  yourself in the class. Please make sure that you
  share and discuss these with your teacher.
• Goals need to be SPECIFIC, REALISTIC, and
  POSITIVE.
• To say I want to be a millionaire by the age of
  20 would not be very realistic. But to say I
  eventually plan to work in a department store by
  first getting a job as a sales clerkthen as an
  assistant mangerthen as a manager would be
  realistic, specific, and positive.
• Many adults who return to school have the goal of
  getting the GED. That is a great goal, but you
  first need to think about the short term goals
  which must be reached to prepare for the 7 ½ hour
  test.
• For example, I would like to get my GED, but
  first I have to upgrade my skills in writing an
  essay for the GED and learn how to solve
  mathematics word problems. This goal is more
  specific and takes into account some of the
  skills that must be achieved first, in order to
  be prepared to take the GED test.
• Our goal in this class is to help you break down
  the subject matter into small, achievable parts
  that will help lead you to your broader long-term
  goals. Please remember that achieving goals
  takes time and personal commitment.

5
Goal Setting Questions

• Here are some questions to help you define your
  goals. Take out a sheet of paper, write the
  questions down, and answer each question.
• 1. What is your long-term personal goal for this
  class?
• 2. How much time are you willing to commit to
  achieving this goal?
• 3. What are some things you know of right now
  that you need to learn more about in order to
  reach your long-term goals?
• 4. What employment goals do you have?
• 5. What do you need to do to achieve your
  employment goals?
• 6. Do you have specific goals for yourself or
  your family that you would like to share?
• 7. Can you identify any things that are getting
  in the way of you achieving your goals?
  (Examples lack of time, little family support,
  low self image)
• Congratulations!
• You have made the first step towards your
  success. We all have dreams about what we want
  to do with our lives. But dreams are simply a
  wish list floating in the clouds. In order to
  move forward, you must set goals. Any goal that
  is not written down is just a dream. Since you
  have just written down your goals, you have made
  the important first step towards your success in
  this class. All you have to do now is commit
  your time, energy and enthusiasm into being a
  successful student.

6
Now, your goals are set.

• Congratulations!
• You have made the first step towards your
  success. We all have dreams about what we want
  to do with our lives. But dreams are simply a
  wish list floating in the clouds. In order to
  move forward, you must set goals. Any goal that
  is not written down is just a dream. Since you
  have just written down your goals, you have made
  the important first step towards your success in
  this class. All you have to do now is commit
  your time, energy and enthusiasm into being a
  successful student.

7
Adult education classes are not like regular
school.

• It is very important that you understand that
  this class is not designed to be like the regular
  school you once attended. There are several
  things about adults that make them learn
  differently from children. We respect these
  differences and try to make the class best meet
  your adult needs. Below are some of the ways
  adults learn differently. Think about it!
• Adults are self-directed. As an adult you depend
  on yourself to earn a living and manage your
  life.
• Adults are doers. You use what you learn to be
  better workers and parents.
• Adults have a broad base of learning that has
  come from life experience.
• Adults have many life experiences to learn from.
• Adults learn more slowly than children, but just
  as well.
• Adults are motivated to learn internally by
  self-esteem and feeling of achievement.
• Adults need to apply their learning immediately
  in order to help them with their life situation.
• Adult learners are from many educational levels,
  backgrounds and ages.

8
Key features of ABE/GED Classes

• Adult Education classes do not give grades.
  Instead of grades, your instructor will focus on
  helping you master the skills you need to be
  successful to reach your personal learning goals.
• You will not be issued textbooks for Adult
  Education classes. Although books and other
  materials will be used during class time, you
  will not be given specific books to keep. Your
  instructor will check out materials to you to use
  during your home-study time.
• You will be taking a test during the first week
  of your class time so the instructor will be able
  to know what materials you need to work with.
• You are expected to act as a responsible adult
  while attending these classes. The instructor
  will go over the expectations for student
  behavior on the first class meeting. Failure to
  follow the student expectations can result in
  dismissal from the program.
• Class attendance is very important in being able
  to reach your learning goals. Please let your
  instructor know of any difficulties at home that
  might cause you to have to miss classes.
• Class work in adult education classes is usually
  self-paced and based on your personal learning
  level. Many times, the entire class will all be
  working on different assignments and the teacher
  will be going around the room helping each
  student with any problems they are having.
• It is the responsibility of the student to let
  the instructor know about any problems you are
  having with your class work.

9
How do I find out what I need to learn in this
class?

• Take the TABE Locator TestThis short test in
  reading, math, and language will help us know
  which longer version of the Test of Adult Basic
  Education (TABE) to give you.
• Then take the TABE Full Battery TestThis 3 hour
  test covers reading, math, and language. It will
  be graded and you and the instructor will review
  your scores to find out what you need to study in
  this class.

10
Keeping up with progress

• The best way to succeed in class is to have a
  clear picture of the skills you need to study
  each day. Check them off as you accomplish them
  and move to the next skill. Before you know it,
  you will have reached a learning milestone. Your
  teacher will be keeping a record of the skills
  you are studying on a form called the SIOA
  (Student Instructional Objectives and
  Assignments)

11
How long will this take me?

• The length of time this class will take is
  different for every person. It all depends on
  your background knowledge, personal motivation,
  and study habits.
• After you have been in class 50 hours, your
  teacher will give you the TABE test again as a
  post test to see what type of progress has been
  made. From this post test, we can determine what
  else needs to be covered in class.

12
Lets talk about the GED

• The Tests of General Educational Development
  (GED Tests) are designed to measure learning
  outcomes that are generally acquired through
  completion of a high school program of study.
  The GED is a standardized test, meaning that its
  scoring scale is derived from the performance of
  a sample of graduating high school seniors. The
  content on the test is drawn from material used
  in todays high schools.
• Below is a summary of the five sections of the
  GED
• SECTION OF QUESTIONS TIME LIMIT
• Math Part I 25 45 minutes
• (Calculator allowed)
• Math Part II 25 45 minutes
• Science 50 80 minutes
• Social Studies 50 70 minutes
• Language Arts Reading 40 65 minutes
• Language Arts-Writing-Part I 50 75 minutes
• Language Arts-Writing Part II Essay 45 minutes

13
Frequently Asked Questions--GED

• Who is eligible to take the GED tests?
• To be eligible to test, you must be 17 or older
  and not required to be enrolled in school under
  the MS Compulsory School Attendance Law.
  Students ages 17-18 must furnish an official
  statement on school letterhead giving the date
  that they officially withdrew from high school or
  the date their regular high school class
  graduated. GED examinees must have been a
  resident of Mississippi for at least 30 days. To
  take the GED test, call your local GED testing
  center to sign up for the next upcoming GED
  orientation session. This session usually takes
  approximately 2-3 hours on a separate day before
  you take the exam. The GED examiner will provide
  you with a listing of what paperwork needs to be
  provided at the orientation. A free training
  session on the GED calculator is provided at the
  GED orientation. For a listing of GED examiners,
  click on the link below
• http//www.colin.edu/gedonline/GED20Centers.htm

14
FAQs, Ctd.

• How are the tests scored?
• GED standard scores range from a minimum of 200
  to a maximum of 800.
• To pass the tests in Mississippi, a student must
  score 410 on each test and at least a 450 average
  for the entire test (total of 2250 points).

15
What will I do if I do not pass the tests?

• You can take the GED tests over for a 12.00 fee
  per section. The test can be taken three times
  in each GED calendar year. It is recommended
  that students who do not pass the test attend
  classes to become more prepared for the
  section(s) of the test that they did not pass.
  Since the test is standardized, a student would
  make a similar score if they retested with no
  preparation therefore, it is important that
  students prepare for any parts which did not meet
  the minimum score requirements.

16
Can I get into college with the GED?

• The GED diploma is accepted by about 95 percent
  of the U.S. colleges and universities. GED
  graduates are also eligible for most federal
  financial aid programs provided they meet other
  criteria. GED graduates will likely have to take
  the ACT or some other type of test for college
  admissions purposes.

17
What about accommodations for people with
disabilities?

• Special test editions including Braille,
  audiocassette, and large print are available to
  students who have specific learning disabilities.
  The accommodation granted depends upon the
  disabling condition. Standard testing
  accommodations including extended time,
  supervised breaks, use of an audiocassette
  edition, calculator, scribe, and a private room
  can also be granted. To request an application
  for accommodations, you must contact the local
  GED examiner and request form L-15 (for specific
  learning disabilities and attention deficit
  hyperactivity disorder) and form SA-001 (for
  emotional and physical disabilities).

18
Is the GED easy?

• The GED is not an easy test however, it is not
  impossible. By setting clear and concise
  learning goals in this adult education class, you
  can achieve your goal of passing the examination.
  Below are several learning goals any student
  desiring to take the GED test needs to achieve.
• Goal 1 Learners will identify and correct
  errors in pieces of writing using the conventions
  of standard written English.
• Goal 2 Learners will use writing process to
  compose a well-organized, 200-word essay on an
  assigned topic within an allotted time period.
• Goal 3 Learners will read and develop an
  understanding of key concepts and vocabulary in
  social studies.
• Goal 4 Learners will read and develop an
  understanding of vocabulary, and applications of
  key concepts in science.
• Goal 5 Learners will be able to comprehend,
  interpret, and analyze popular and classical
  literature and commentary about literature and
  the arts.
• Goal 6 Learners will develop an understanding
  of applied mathematical concepts in arithmetic,
  algebra, and geometry that require reasoning and
  problem-solving skills.
• Goal 7 Learners will be better prepared for the
  tests of the GED by learning pertinent test
  taking strategies.

19
Study Skills Tips

• My eyes are tired. Cant stay focused.
• Take a five minute break every 20 minutes. It is
  very helpful to relax the mind after serious
  study. Stand up, stretch and reward yourself
  after you accomplish learning how to solve a
  problem, concept, etc.
• Everything is running together on the page.
• Try to divide the page with a half-folded piece
  of paper.
• Cant get my notes organized.
• When the teacher explains how to do a math
  problem for example, you might want to keep a
  journal with one example of how to do the
  problem. Make notations like this
• Subject Area of a rectangle.
• Formula Length times width (l x w)
• Example What is the area of a rectangular
  garden
• 5 feet wide and half that long?
• 5 x 2.512.5 feet

20
Study Skills

• Have trouble taking notes.
• Divide the page into two parts by drawing a line
  down the middle of the page.
• Place the subject being studied about on the left
  side of the page and record key ideas relating to
  the subject on the right side.
• When the topic changes, add the new topic to the
  left side and continue the process. After class,
  you will have space to go in and record
  additional information on the subject.
• Have trouble remembering important ideas.
• When you have trouble remembering important
  ideas, create a jingle to help you remember.
  For example, with order of operations you might
  use
• Please (Do parentheses first)
• Excuse (Do exponents next)
• My (Multiply next from left to right)
• Dear (Divide next from left to right)
• Aunt (Add next from left to right)
• Sally (Subtract next from left to right)

21
Study Skills

• Have trouble with big words
• When complex vocabulary gives you trouble, it is
  very important to try to break the word down to
  its root, prefixes or suffixes.
• Example cardiovascular surgeon
• Cardio (heart)
• Vascular (blood vessels)
• Meaning surgeon specializing with the heart and
  blood vessels.
• Also use other words in a passage to help you get
  the meaning. These words are called context
  clues.
• Cant get focused on reading a long passage.
  Dont comprehend what I read.
• Use SQ3R.
• SURVEY-Look over what you read first and ask
  yourself what is this going to be about.
• QUESTION-Ask yourself what you want to learn
  form the passage.
• READ-Read the passage to try to answer your
  questions.
• RECITE-Mentally put the meaning of the passage
  into your own words.
• REVIEW-Mentally review the key idea before
  moving on to the next passage.
• Cant get my mind focused and ready to read new
  information.
• Try the KWL method to prepare the mind.

22
For More Information

• Please see your local ABE instructor to discuss
  any questions you may have. Feel free to call
  your local ABE director if you need to locate
  additional classes in the community. Your local
  GED examiner will assist you with the scheduling
  of your GED examination.
• Thank you for enrolling in our program and for
  participating in this short orientation.