The Adult Education program is designed to allow students over the age of 16, who have not completed high school studies, the opportunity to acquire the skills necessary to pass the General Educational Development (GED) test or to meet other educational goals. The Adult Education/Learning Skills Department offers two components in this curricula:
Adult Basic Education (ABE) to teach basic literacy in reading, language skills, and math, as well as work readiness skills.
Adult Secondary Education (ASE) to teach the reading, English, and math skills necessary to pass the GED test or available training programs.
Integrated Education and Training (IET) to teach basic educational skills and technical training necessary for the Certified Nursing Assistant credential.
Both ABE & ASE program components incorporate life skills and counseling services necessary for growth and development of the adult learner.
Mission & Vision
Mission: To create an intentional learning environment by providing a quality education for all learners seeking adult education services to acquire and become equipped with the knowledge, skills and resources required to obtain their General Education development diploma and become self - sufficient.
All adults can learn.
All adults have the right to education that enhances their ability to effect positive change in their lives.
All adults have the right to obtain the life skills that they need to become self-sufficient, actively participating members of society.
All adults have the right to complete their education through the high school level.
Individuals 18 years of age or older may be enrolled in adult education programs any time during the year.
Under special circumstances, persons 16 or 17 years of age may be enrolled in adult education programs if the following conditions are met:
Score a 535 in at least 2 subjects on the Test of Adult Basic Education (TABE).
Public School Waiver signed by counselor, principal, or superintendent of the local school district, or Notarized Copy of Intent to Home School document.
The student and the student’s parents, guardians, or persons in loco parentis meet with the Director or Coordinator to discuss the requirements of the local adult education program.
The student, the student’s parents, guardians, or persons in loco parentis, and the Director or Coordinator of the adult education program agree in writing that the student will attend the requisite number of hours per week and maintain appropriate conduct as outlined in the local adult education program student handbook.
Services
Our Adult Education Services:
Basic Skills Improvement
GED Preparation & Testing
English as Second Language (ESL)
Employability and Workplace Training (WAGE)
Alternative Sentencing and Re-entry Assistance
Integrated Education and Training--CDL, Phlebotomy, CNA, Pharmacy Tech
Support Services through SNAP Employment & Training and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
Career Development program currently has certified Career Services Planners on staff to help students with career planning, job search, resume writing, interview skills, etc.
PCCUA Adult Education offers distance education classes for students who want or need to study at home; a computer and reliable internet access are required. For more information on the requirements or need assistance, please contact Christina Sanderlin at csanderlin@pccua.edu
GED® Program
In Arkansas, anyone who is 16 years or older, who are not enrolled or graduated from high school, and who meets the state requirements can earn an Arkansas High School Diploma by passing the official GED® test. The GED® test is computer-based and measures skills in four areas: Reasoning through Language Arts, Mathematical Reasoning, Social Studies, and Science. Instruction for this class is based on the student’s entry-level and their needs. The format for classes is Managed Enrolled and Open Entry/ Open Exit. We offer Fast Track versions of this class and are proud to say that our success rate is high for students wishing to enroll in this program. Our students have a great graduation ceremony in May.Adult Basic Education (ABE) - The ABE program 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. These classes are taught in a managed class or at his/her own pace.
English as a Second Language - ESL classes provide instruction in English-language skills including speaking, writing, listening, and reading for students whose first language is not English. Managed enrollment classes are designed to help students improve reading and writing skills as well as conversational English. A placement assessment will evaluate each student’s needs, allowing the instructor to target the areas which will be most beneficial to the student.TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families)
The TANF program provides funding for a wide variety of employment and training activities, supportive services, and benefits that will enable clients to get a job, keep a job, and improve their economic circumstances. Certified Career planners will assist students with goal setting, career exploration activities, and provide information on postsecondary education, internships, and short-term training opportunities.
Eligible Applicants:
Must be a U.S. citizen as established using the list of acceptable documents and/or a combination of documents utilized with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Form I-9
A resident of the state of Arkansas
Must be the custodial or non-custodial parent of a child residing in the state of Arkansas that is under the age of 18 or a youth aging out of foster care that is between 16 and 24 years of age
SNAP Employment and Training Program (SNAP E&T)
The SNAP E&T program helps SNAP participants gain skills and find work that moves them forward to self-sufficiency. Through SNAP E&T, SNAP participants have access to training and support services to help them enter or move up in the workforce. Certified Career planners will assist students with goal setting, career exploration activities, and provide information on postsecondary education, internships, and short-term training opportunities.
Eligible Applicants:
Must be eligible to receive or are currently receiving SNAP benefits
Participants are not eligible for the SNAP E&T program if they are currently receiving TEA (Transitional Employment Assistance) or Unemployment Insurance (UI)
Supportive Services for TANF and SNAP may include but is not limited to the following:
Tuition/short term training assistance
Transportation assistance (gas cards)
Daycare assistance
Supplies/equipment assistance for the training program
Assistance with certification exams
Career and educational planning
Employability Skills—Our Employability programs provide training to enable adult learners to become better informed and more highly skilled for the changing world of work. Instruction provides a comprehensive grounding in the knowledge and skills learners need to succeed in the workplace.
WAGE™ is a work readiness program driven by business/industry and designed to ensure that unemployed and underemployed Arkansans have the skills necessary to be successful in the workplace. Students can improve their basic academic skills, as well as learn job skills that prepare them for entry-level jobs through the WAGE™ program. Classes are held at all SAU Tech Adult Education locations, and we offer flexible scheduling to meet the needs of adult students.
WAGE™ Certificates currently offered: Workforce Prep, Business Management and Administration, Education, and Training, Health Science, Hospitality and Tourism, and Manufacturing.
How do I start?
In order to enroll, you need to take your Arkansas ID or Driver's License and Social Security Card to the location of your choice. You will be able to take our entrance (TABE) test if you arrive at a testing time or you will be given an appointment for testing. After you finish testing, your results will be given to you and you will be ready to begin class.
How can I get my WAGE™ certificate?
You will follow the enrollment process for entrance testing and then will be given a plan in the classroom that covers the certificate requirements and remediation if required. This program is not completed in one day and takes different people, different amounts of time to complete. Once you complete the TABE test, our staff can give you a better estimate of time you will need to commit to.
How can I get my GED® ?
You will follow the enrollment process for entrance testing and then will be given a plan in the classroom that includes remediation if necessary, practice testing, and finishing with taking the test at one of our two official testing sites.
How much does the WAGE program cost?
It is FREE to all Arkansas students and never expires.
How much does the GED program cost?
All classes are FREE.
The GED Ready Tests are $6.00 per test subject, for a total of $24.00. The GED Official Test is $4.00 per subject, for a total of $16.00. For qualified students, scholarships are available for both tests.
What is the TABE?
The TABE test is a standardized test and it stands for Test of Adult Basic Education. It measures your skills in Reading, Math, and Language and helps the teachers know where you are on an academic level. It is free for our students and a great tool for planning instruction.
Are night classes available?
On the Helena campus, night classes are available Monday-Wednesday from 5-7:30