FREE WorkReady Career Training: In Person w/ Local Employers

Learn about your chance to earn the WorkReady Credential from the Maine Department of Education! While the name "WorkReady" may imply that the program is designed for individuals with little to no work experience, it is actually highly applicable to a wide variety of individuals with varying degrees of training, education, and occupational skills. So, why should you learn about WorkReady? In this program, you will... Learn what it takes to get and keep a better job. Find out what employers expect. Network with businesses! No cost to participants. Network with Local Employers Here are just SOME of the local businesses who have participated in previous training sessions by hosting site visits, conducting mock interviews, or delivering guest presentations: Lincoln County Healthcare Hannaford Home Depot Sebasco Estates Mobius Midcoast Behavioral Health Bath Savings Bank Coastal Enterprises, Inc BIW Join us at the FREE information session on Monday June 18, 2012 at 12:00pm or Tuesday June 26, 2012 at 6:00pm at the Wiscasset High School to learn more about this FREE training program. Call Wiscasset Adult & Community Education at 882-9710 or visit www.MyAdultEd.org to register. The next WorkReady training program runs July 9 - 25, 2012. Classes meet Monday through Friday 8:30am - 3:30pm.

Posted by Anne Fensie  on January 11, 2012 | Read more in: News and Events

Meet Janet Hooper

Hello, my name is Janet Hooper, and I live in Wiscasset. I am married, a mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.

People take the Office Skills Certificate Program (OSCP) for many different reasons. In my case it was because the company I had worked at for 23 years moved its operation to Mexico. Having thought I would retire from there, I found myself instead having to think about re-entering a different work field.

I went to the Adult Education Office in Wiscasset where I met a great staff who helped me get started on the right path. After several discussions with them I decided I wanted to work in an office environment. Career change decided but no computer skills! This is where OSCP came into play.

I started the program which is self-paced, teacher lead, and involves many different aspects. Part of the course is typing 30 words per minute at the basic level and 50 words per minute at the advanced level without looking at the keys. It is a long road from 10 words per minute but with much practice I made it to 32 words per minute. So I guess 50 will soon come.

Learning the Microsoft Office Programs (Word, Excel, Access and PowerPoint) was fascinating to me. I couldn’t believe how much is out there to learn. My skills have increased tremendously! My favorite part of the course is accounting. I have always loved math and hope to work with financial records.

Another aspect of the program is the WorkReady Credential, which teaches you more about entering the work force. It teaches you how to write your resume and cover letters which are needed today to apply for jobs. They do on site visits to different places that give you an inside look at all the different jobs available. Mock interviews are done so you know what you are going to face in an interview, extremely helpful to me as I had not gone to one in over 20 years! I strongly urge anyone looking to find a job to take the WorkReady program.

The hands-on help from the instructors was very beneficial to me. The whole staff at Wiscasset Adult Ed, along with our program instructors, was willing to assist with anything I needed help with. I look forward to finishing this program soon and getting started on the Accounting Clerk Certificate.

I want everyone to know, it doesn’t matter your age—you can always learn more, and you may find it enjoyable.

Posted by Anne Fensie  on December 30, 2011 | Read more in: News

Finish the GED Tests Now—Or Else!

Big changes to the GED^® Test in 2014

On March 15, 2011, The American Council on Education (ACE) and Pearson announced the creation of a ground-breaking new business that will drive the future direction, design, and delivery of the GED^® testing program based on their vision for the GED in the 21st century. Their press release explained that the three primary components of this initiative will include:

1. A new, more rigorous GED Test aligned with Common Core State Standards designed to ensure career- and college-readiness;

2. A national test preparation program featuring an expanding array of innovative and personalized learning resources; and,

3. A transition network that connects GED test-takers to career and postsecondary educational opportunities.

The need for higher standards is clear. With a labor market that increasingly seeks some postsecondary training, paired with dispiriting rates of high school and college completion, the future of our economy depends on creating a highly skilled, creative, and competitive workforce. This includes more intensive educational opportunities for the 40 million adults in the U.S. without a high school diploma.

Policy makers and the GED Testing Service are working to reposition the GED as a step in a journey toward postsecondary training, rather than as an end in itself. Epitomizing that shift in thinking, the new exam, due out in 2014, will have two passing points: the traditional one indicating high school equivalency, and an additional, higher one signaling college and career readiness.

"The message is that you’re not here just to get a high school equivalency and walk out. You’re here to get prepared for careers and educational opportunities that are going to demand that you have even more skills," explains Nicole Chestang, the executive vice president of the GED Testing Service.

The New Benchmark: Common Core Standards

According to the Maine Department of Education, the Common Core State Standards are a set of academic standards in Mathematics and English Language Arts, which includes literacy in history/social studies, science and technical subjects. The Common Core State Standards focus on developing college- and career-ready standards and ensuring these standards are evidence- and research-based and internationally benchmarked to top-performing countries.

For example, one of the ten reading standards for literacy in science and technical subjects on key ideas and details is outlined below based on age group.

1. Cite specific textual evidence to support analysis of science and technical texts. (grades 6-8)

2. Cite specific textual evidence to support analysis of science and technical texts, attending to the precise details of explanations or descriptions. (grades 9-10)

3. Cite specific textual evidence to support analysis of science and technical texts, attending to important distinctions the author makes and to any gaps or inconsistencies in the account. (grades 11-12)

Let’s look at a sample question from the current version of the GED Science test. Answering this question correctly would demonstrate mastery of the above standard at the 6-8 grade level. Imagine how much harder this question will have to be to demonstrate mastery at the 11-12 grade level. In addition, all of the information needed to answer the question can be found in the reading passage itself, whereas the new version of the test will require background science knowledge.

The Local Impact

There are many people in the area who have started taking the GED tests, yet have not completed all five to earn their High School Credential. Our program works hard to ensure the success of each student, as evidenced by the 85% passing rate of students who take the GED tests. Over the past three years, 760 students have enrolled in academic and career preparation programs at Wiscasset Adult & Community Education, 288 (38%) with the goal of earning a High School Credential. Of the students in the High School Completion Program, 145 (50%) students took at least one GED test, 122 (42%) students received passing scores, and 55 (19%) earned a High School Diploma. Obviously, there are many people that need to return to adult education to complete the remaining tests before 2014 to earn their High School Diploma.

"We’ve already begun the shift in using the GED as merely a stepping stone on the path to success, rather than a dead end," notes Anne Fensie, Director of Adult Education in Wiscasset. "Our local requirements for testing include completion of orientation, career advising, goal planning, student success skills, and significant academic preparation before registering to test. The recently released details about the 2014 version [of the GED] support the mission of our school district: to educate each and every student to the fullest of his/her potential, enabling them to participate fully as a productive and self-fulfilled member of a democratic society."

Take Action

So, what does this mean for you if you don’t have a high school credential? If you wait until 2014 to get started on taking the GED tests, it will likely take longer to achieve your goal as you will be held to a higher standard. Most will need to get started now to be able to pass the new GED. It is also important to note that old scores will not transfer to the new version of the test. Beginning in 2014, anyone who has not earned their high school credential will have to take all of the new tests. Of course, the benefit of passing the new GED is that you and potential employers/schools will have proof that you are ready to succeed in college and more demanding, higher paying jobs. Our advice—get started now!

GED^® and GED Testing Service^® are registered trademarks of the American Council on Education (ACE). They may not be used or reproduced without the express written permission of ACE or GED Testing Service. The GED^® and GED Testing Service^® brands are administered by GED Testing Service LLC under license from the American Council on Education.

Posted by Anne Fensie  on December 26, 2011 | Read more in: News

Meet Dawn Wheeler

As a new instructor to Wiscasset Adult Education, I have come to appreciate the warm atmosphere that my fellow staff people have promoted.

Students are brought on-board in a comprehensive manner which includes an in-depth orientation. This orientation process affords each student the opportunity to acclimate to the world of adult education and increases their readiness to learn.

My experience has been that students come into the classroom with exuberance and eagerness to learn. Each student is valued as an individual, bringing their own strengths and challenges to their learning process. We solicit continual feedback from students in order to create a curriculum that interests the students and covers a broad range of topics.

It is an absolute pleasure and inspiration to work with these learners, providing them with a supportive environment from which they can grow.

Dawn teaches adult basic education in our Learning Center, high school completion classes, and the Family CIRC:LE. She can be reached via email at dwheeler@svrsu.org or by phone at the adult ed office 882-9710.

Posted by Anne Fensie  on July 18, 2011 | Read more in: News

Meet Josephina Gasca

Imagine a room filled with a group of women wearing bright-colored hip scarves with jangling coins. Ranging from high school seniors to senior citizens and every age in between, they come from all walks of life, some mother-daughter pairs, some belly dance buddies, but all of them eager to dance, each with a unique body type and history. And each with a story to express through the dance. And you begin to understand. There’s nothing as satisfying as getting together with this group of women every week to dance. And they are amazing women.

Teaching belly dance is the highlight of my day during the work week. For me, it’s an opportunity to help form community and bridge the generations at a time when we are more connected virtually, but in turn more isolated. I often say in my classes that if humanity danced together, there would be a lot less war. I believe this, because I have observed the evolution of many women sinking in and getting really comfortable in their own skin and stretching out into the music and luxuriating in the dance.

I am privileged to be able to share an art form which creates a space for these women to explore that feeling on an individual level as well as in community. We work hard and laugh even harder. We move quietly. We clamor. We dance.

Josephina teaches Belly Dance on Wednesday nights at Wiscasset Adult & Community Education, Monday in Brunswick, and Thursday in Bath. An accomplished writer, she also teaches a Pen2Page Fiction workshop.

Posted by Anne Fensie  on July 18, 2011 | Read more in: News

Meet Stephanie Malinski

Stephanie is a student in our family literacy program working towards the completion of her High School Diploma. Here is her story in her own words.

Wiscasset Adult Education has opened up a world of opportunities to me. I am a single mother who left a situation where I couldn’t finish my education. Moving here from Illinois I had no friends or any family for 2000+ miles. I came with two important goals. My first one is finishing my high school diploma, which had been put off for several years. My second goal is to create a better life for my son.

I was referred to the local high school for the Wiscasset Adult Education program where I met Anne. She was very insightful and caring when it came to my needs and wants. She took time to listen to everything I had to say.  I have been enrolled for over a year now and have accomplished much more than I could have ever imagined. I started in the Family Literacy Program which helped strengthen my math skills and do some fun activities with my son. I am currently attending Learning Center which is helping me work towards the credits I need in English to achieve my high school diploma. The small group and one-on-one setting have helped me address my dyslexia and move forward quickly towards my educational goals.

The staff here at Wiscasset Adult Ed is very helpful. They are such a lovely group of people. I have never felt judged in any way. I have dyslexia which makes a lot of my school and home life tasks difficult to accomplish.  The instructors I have come across in the year I have been here have been unbelievably helpful and show a lot of interest in my learning needs. Overall, this has been an excellent life experience. It has made me feel more confident in my work, schooling and everyday life. My self esteem has risen. I have become more social and have been able to meet new people and make friends. I am glad and feel very lucky I found this program when I did. I would not think twice about referring anyone in need of bettering themselves and their education to Wiscasset Adult Ed. A huge thanks to everyone involved in the program. I appreciate everything you have done for me. My dream is to eventually go on to college and pursue a degree in Massage Therapy.

Posted by Anne Fensie  on March 24, 2011 | Read more in: News

In Transition: Sylvia Reed

This is a great article that one of our students wrote for the upcoming April edition of The Learning Link.

I graduated from Cony High School in 1977 and attended one year of college at UMA before I dropped out to go to work in a factory in Gardiner making children’s clothing. At that time, there were no scholarships or financial aid; there weren’t even night classes, and I had to work for a living. The money was great at the factory. I already knew how to sew, so I felt comfortable with the work I had to do. I didn’t know what I wanted to do with my life, but I knew that I didn’t want to stay at the factory for the rest of my life. Down the road, I eventually got married and had two beautiful, adorable daughters. I’ve always been interested in education; I like to know things. I read a lot. All those years, I wanted to go back to school, but I didn’t think any college would take me, because it had been so many years.

Melinda Gilman, Wiscasset Adult Ed’s College and Career Counselor, told me I could come to classes at Adult Ed even though I had graduated from high school. She said they would be able to help me to refresh all those things I had learned many years ago when I was younger. I was absolutely shocked that somebody that had graduated from high school could take classes at Adult Ed and prepare to go to college for free. I didn’t know such a program existed.

So I came and I tried it. I kept coming because it was really fun. We actually laugh a lot, in class; it’s really relaxed and everyone is encouraged to ask questions. I really like my fellow students; people are here because they want to learn. Everyone helps each other out by sharing ideas and strategies of what’s worked for them in learning a new concept or skill. And the teachers are not evil! They actually want you to succeed; they answer your questions before you even ask them. They break difficult concepts down into easy little steps, and they don’t ever assume you already know more than you do. They’re here to teach you at whatever level you are currently, at whatever pace you want to go. Most importantly, the atmosphere is kind and loving…with little stress and good food!

I personally think everyone should come back to school, because a mind is a terrible thing to waste, and so is a life! My goal down the road is to irritate others as much as possible by encouraging everyone I come in contact with to go for it and do what you really want to do with your life. It’s not too late! I read recently that a 92 year old woman had graduated from college with honors. She had dropped out of school to support her family when she was a young woman, and she decided to go back to school in her late eighties and get an education…

   If she can do it, we all can!

Posted by Anne Fensie  on March 20, 2011 | Read more in: News

Why Adult Ed? Why now?

A message from the Director:

What do you know about adult education? What can adult ed do for you? I often hear people say, "Wow, I didn't realize adult ed did so much!" So, let me tell you a little about what exactly it is that we do. I will explain why we need adult ed, and why we need it now.

Maine Adult Education programs offer services in five areas: literacy, high school completion, college transitions, business and skills training, and personal enrichment. We work with learners from a variety of backgrounds, from all ages, and all skill levels. We work with the full spectrum of humanity. Our mission is to work together to ensure a community of fluent learners, critical thinkers, and creative contributors to our society.

What ultimately makes adult education so unique is the people, both the staff and the students. The staff are passionate about making a difference and truly love what they do. Meet Dawn Wheeler on page 18 of The Learning Link to hear just how much. Equally inspiring are the students who genuinely want to learn. Many have surmounted serious challenges just to get to class.

So, why adult ed, and why now?

• Perhaps you know someone who struggles to read, and is too embarrassed to seek help. Literacy is essential to quality of life in so many ways, so I encourage you to bring them in with you so we can get them started on an educational plan.
• Maybe you never liked school, or had some kind of interruption in your education that kept you from graduating from high school. We offer a variety of opportunities for gaining the skills and credits to earn either a High School Diploma or pass the GED® tests. I promise that we can make you comfortable, even in a school setting. Read Stephanie’s story on page 21 of The Learning Link for some inspiration.
• Our country has been experiencing an exponential shift in the demographics: the baby boomers are the first generation to have a higher level of educational attainment and longer life expectancy than their children. This means that it has never been more urgent that we begin transitioning adults ages 18 - 55 into the college pipeline. Maine Adult Education College and Career Pathways addresses this very need. Meet Sylvia on page 16 of The Learning Link.
• While college is an essential for many, others may need to learn a targeted skill to retain their job or earn a certification to re-enter employment. You will find many affordable options as you explore this site.
• Finally, with the stresses of our day, we can’t forget to be human. We can’t forget to take care of our hearts, our minds, and our bodies. Our personal enrichment offerings are so diverse that you are sure to find just the right way to take care of you.

There has never been a better time for you to improve your education. Adult education offers a wide variety of programs to assist you at each stage of your life. I hope you will take advantage.

Warmest Regards, Anne Fensie
Director, Wiscasset Adult & Community Education

Posted by Anne Fensie  on March 19, 2011 | Read more in: News

College Admit-in-a-Day Event at Wiscasset Adult & Community Education

JumpStart Your Journey to SUCCESS

If you have been thinking about going to college, it’s time to Jumpstart your Journey! Wiscasset Adult & Community Education is pleased to host a free “Admit-in-a-Day” event for learners of any age. This is an exciting opportunity to complete the entire college enrollment process in just one day. This includes career exploration, college applications and interviews, placement testing, financial aid application, and more. All application fees will be waived!

Admit-in-a-Day will be held at Wiscasset High School on Friday January 28, 2011 from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. An additional session is being planned for early spring at the Bath CareerCenter. Registration is required as space is limited. There is no charge for this event. To sign up, call 882-9710 or visit www.MyAdultEd.org.

“College isn't a luxury anymore,” says Anne Fensie, Director of Wiscasset Adult & Community Education. “The latest figures from the Department of Labor state that 45% of the job postings in Maine during 2010 required a college degree. In 2020, this will climb to nearly 2 out of 3. Most of us can’t afford not to go to college. Thanks to a college access challenge grant from the Finance Authority of Maine, our program can provide additional services to make the college dream a reality for so many more in this area.”

For adults who have been out of school for a while, knowing where to begin or how to navigate the whole process of getting started with higher education can be overwhelming. By providing all of these steps in one day, people can leave with an acceptance letter, information about support services, and a concrete plan for starting college.

The event features admissions representatives from a variety of colleges, qualified professionals to assist with completing financial aid forms, career counselors to advise on educational preparation for specific occupations, and college transitions coaches to identify further needs. Participating organizations include University of Maine at Augusta, University College Bath/Brunswick, Southern New Hampshire University, Southern Maine Community College, Central Maine Community College, Finance Authority of Maine (FAME), Maine Educational Opportunity Center (MEOC), Bath CareerCenter, Goodwill Workforce Solutions, Maine College Transitions, and more.

Wiscasset Adult & Community Education provides additional free college and career programming throughout the year. For example, The Lincoln County College Connection is a comprehensive college transitions program offered during the daytime and evening at various locations throughout Lincoln County. Surviving & Thriving Distance Education features a series of workshops to ensure success for students who do not attend classes full time on a campus. The Adult Learning Center operates throughout the year to assist adults with a variety of educational needs, and now features the addition of videoconferencing for those who have transportation challenges. To find out more about these programs, call 882-9710 or visit www.MyAdultEd.org.

Posted by Anne Fensie  on January 19, 2011 | Read more in: News and Events

College for ME?? FREE Info on FREE Programs Can Make it Happen

Let's make your college dreams a reality!

What will she be when she grows up?
What did you want to be?
Are you satisfied with your career?
Would more education make a difference?

College isn't a luxury anymore. 45% of the job postings in Maine during 2010 required a college degree. In 2020, this will climb to nearly 2 out of 3. What will YOU be doing in 10 years?

Join Wiscasset Adult & Community Education and The Lincoln County College Connection as we help you explore how to make college a reality. In our FREE information sessions, you will learn about these FREE programs:

• The Lincoln County College Connection —a comprehensive college transition program with daytime classes in Wiscasset & evening classes in Newcastle
• Admit-in-a-Day—meet with local college admissions counselors, financial advisors, career counselors, and more!
• College Goal Sunday
• College Access Challenge Grants
• Competitive Skills Scholarship Program
• OSHER Scholarship

...and more!

These FREE information sessions are schedule for

• Monday January 10, 2011 at 8:30am at the Wiscasset Primary School
• Wednesday January 12, 2011 at 6:30pm at Lincoln Academy
• Thursday January 13, 2011 at 6:00pm at Wiscasset High School

Don't go it alone---get college connected with The Lincoln County College Connection!

Call 882-9710 or email afensie@svrsu.org for more information.

Posted by Anne Fensie  on January 9, 2011 | Read more in: News and Events