Fall 2010 Courses

Our Fall 2010 courses are now online! Visit our website to read about some of our new offerings, like A Handy-Person's Guide to Setting Up and Equipping Your Home for Solar Power and How to save Money Doing It!, Boot Camp Workout, Accounting & Bookkeeping, Customer Service Specialist Certification, The Helping Hands Happiness Project, Mushrooms- Fun Into Fungi, and MORE!

Posted by Anne Fensie  on July 24th 2010 | Read more in: News

Midcoast Skilled Workforce Forum

On Wednesday June 16, 2010 from 9:00am to 12:00pm, Wiscasset Adult & Community Education and University College Bath/Brunswick will host the Midcoast Skilled Workforce Forum at Wiscasset High School.

Midcoast Maine has a unique economy with rapidly changing workforce needs. The key to maintaining economic prosperity is an educated workforce. With dwindling resources, how do we make this happen?

Join us for this unique opportunity for dialogue between employers, educators, social service providers, and workforce development professionals. The keynote address will be delivered by Larinda Meade, Maine College Transitions Coordinator, followed by discussion and work sessions.

The goal of this forum is to educate each other about our services, needs, mandates, and resources in order to find additional ways to work together to raise the educational attainment of the workforce in this area. Participants should bring business cards, brochures, pamphlets, etc. You should also be prepared to discuss the following:

• Mission of your organization
• Programs/Services you offer
• Service area
• Client needs and challenges
• Organizational assets and resources
• Fees for services
• Mandates and policy

This event is offered at NO CHARGE courtesy of Wiscasset Adult & Community Education and University College Bath/Brunswick. However, space is limited, so please register early. Registration can be completed online at www.wiscasset.maineadulted.org. This event is FREE and includes refreshments.

Register by June 9 at www.Wiscasset.MaineAdultEd.org.

Posted by Anne Fensie  on May 31st 2010 | Read more in: News and Events

A Degree for Every Maine Worker?

While Mainers are pretty good at earning a high school credential, the state ranks well below its neighbors in achievement of degrees. Higher levels of education mean higher salaries and lower rates of unemployment, which is why those hit hardest by the recent economy include the majority of workers in this state. Year after year, Maine tops the list of worst states for business due to the low educational attainment of its workforce. A degree in the hand of every working Mainer would make this an attractive state to entice young families and big business.

• Why does Maine need more degrees?
• Why do we need to focus on adults in postsecondary education?
• What are the obstacles to non-traditional students?
• What is currently in place to address these?
• Where do we fall short?
• What can be done?

65% of high growth/high wage jobs in the pine tree state require at least some college. In addition, job growth in the near future will be found in the highest and lowest paying jobs, meaning that those desiring a steady paycheck can choose between a minimum wage job or becoming highly qualified to meet the demand of growing industries.

So, how do we get more degrees in Maine? A rapidly aging population and the exodus of college-going youth from this state means we must raise the educational attainment of adults currently in the workforce. The most skilled, experienced, and connected workers in this state will retire within 15 years, leaving a huge gap that must be filled with qualified workers—workers that currently are getting by on less than family-sustaining wages, probably on public assistance, and most likely have a low level of education.

Nontraditional students face many obstacles when they return to school, from weak academic skills, to inexperience with college culture, procedures, and use of technology. Many are working parents who struggle to juggle work, family, classes, and mounds of homework. Most give up. Some don’t apply when they find their financial aid award doesn’t meet the cost of attending college. Still others cannot afford the cost of both college and childcare, or do not live within commuting distance of a campus.

Fortunately, there are programs to help adults improve their education. The University of Maine System offers an abundance of distance courses, and the Rural Maine Childcare Initiative assists parents with childcare while they attend a community college. Most campuses also offer a variety of student support services. However, the biggest hurdles come before these students even begin college: namely, awareness and aspirations for college, academic readiness, and an understanding of how to navigate the systems. The Maine College Transition Program was developed to address these issues through adult education at.

The goal of Maine College Transitions is to raise student performance on college placement tests, while providing a comprehensive program on college preparation and success. Students learn time management, reading and note taking, stress management, and career exploration, while receiving support and encouragement from other nontraditional students who are facing similar life challenges. Participants visit colleges, meet with counselors, and receive help with filing financial aid forms and college applications. College Transitions is tremendously successful in preparing adults for a successful college experience.

Maine needs to reward adults for choosing to enter postsecondary education, becoming equipped with the skills to persist, and utilizing resources to continue to degree completion. A program should be established for Maine adults who successfully complete a College Transitions program that provides a $2,500 cash grant over and above their financial aid award. Further, by maintaining a C+ average and utilizing institutional support services, they will continue to receive these funds for 4 years. This program will cover some of the unmet financial need facing most Mainers who want to go to college, while ensuring that they first obtain the skills that will make them successful in school. With a plan like this, I think it is truly possible for every Maine worker to earn a degree.

Posted by Anne Fensie  on April 11th 2010 | Read more in: News and Events

Wiscasset Adult Education/RSU 12 Receives $50,000 “Catalyst for Change” Award

Grant from Nellie Mae Education Foundation recognizes efforts to put students at the center of learning 

Wiscasset, ME –The Wiscasset schools of RSU 12 have been selected as a recipient of the Nellie Mae Education Foundation’s Catalyst for Change awards, which recognize existing examples of personalized, student-centered learning experiences across New England. Twelve schools and education organizations have received a one-time grant of $50,000.

“We are thrilled that the hard work and commitment to personalized learning is receiving this recognition,” said Anne Fensie, Adult Education Director. “It is our hope that we can collaborate on successful models of student directed learning with other schools in the region to capitalize on the school reform initiatives that promote personalized learning. In addition to actively engaging students in learning, the Wiscasset schools have created a change in the school culture that makes students believe that the logical choice is to attend some form of postsecondary training or college.”

“The selection process has helped us become more aware of efforts already taking place across the region to put students at the center of the educational experience,” said Mary Sylvia Harrison, Vice President of Programs for the Nellie Mae Education Foundation.  “We’re pleased to recognize these schools and organizations, and we look forward to further exploring how to build on the momentum for innovation that these models create.”

All Catalyst for Change applicants were asked to clearly articulate how they define, implement and/or promote personalized, student-centered learning through their school models, policy change or advocacy efforts.  Applicants were also asked to present a clear rationale for their particular approach and provide supporting evidence of the approach’s contributions to the improvement of educational outcomes for middle and high school students, especially the underserved.  Applicants also had to show that their programs were a core facet of schooling and not a stand-alone program.

Wiscasset Middle School will utilize the award to ensure the successful continuation of Expeditionary Learning. This program engages students in authentic opportunities that allow them to be out in the community doing "real" work that has significant impact as they do research regarding our local environment, especially the watershed areas. Wiscasset High School will enhance personalized learning by enabling additional programming for at-risk students and supporting the implementation of Response to Intervention. The funds will also support initiatives to bring students out into the community for experiential learning with local professionals, including after school and summer programming. Wiscasset Adult & Community Education will increase the availability and intensity of services for out of school youth, especially as they transition to postsecondary education. In addition, these funds will be utilized in coordination with the Maine Department of Education Office of Adult Education to create additional self-paced curricula aligned with the Maine Learning Results and modified for adult learners at various educational functioning levels, which can then be distributed to adult education programs throughout the state.

Twelve schools and organizations from across New England were selected to receive Catalyst for Change awards, including: Boston Arts Academy (Boston, MA); Boston Day & Evening Academy (Boston, MA); The Domus Foundation (Stamford, CT); Jobs for Maine’s Graduates (Augusta, ME); Northeast Kingdom Learning Services (Newport, VT); Q.E.D. Foundation (Amherst, NH); Springfield Renaissance School (Springfield, MA); Steps to Success (Brookline, MA); Vermont Rural Partnership (East Hardwick, VT); Vermont Youth Conservation Corps (Richmond, VT); and Young Voices (Providence, RI).

For more information about the Nellie Mae Education Foundation, visit www.nmefdn.org

Posted by Anne Fensie  on February 18th 2010 | Read more in: News

The Lincoln County College Connection

College Transitions Information Evening

Put Yourself on the Road to Success

The New Year brings with it renewed possibilities and the opportunity for a fresh start.  If you have been thinking about attending college, don’t miss this opportunity to further your education, improve your earning potential, and enhance your quality of life.   The Lincoln County College Connection (TLC³) is hosting an information night for adults who want to enter or return to college on Wednesday, January 20^th at Lincoln Academy from 6 to 7:30 p.m.

TLC³ is a collaborative effort between the Central Lincoln County, Boothbay Region, MSAD40, and Wiscasset Adult Education programs with classes offered in each program.  The goal of TLC³ is to offer free services to adults who are planning to enroll in post-secondary education, change careers, or return to school.  TLC³ offers services to help students get ready for college and ultimately earn a college degree.  College Transitions in adult education works by providing classes in subjects such as: study skills, college writing, algebra, biology and chemistry; by helping with completion of applications and financial aid forms; and through college counseling and career planning. All the college transitions courses and workshops offered through TLC³ are free.

Come learn first hand about the advantages of being a College Transitions participant, meet the staff and find out which classes would be right for you. Refreshments will be served and families are welcome.

For more information, or to register please call Megan Dichter, Lincoln County College Transitions Coordinator at 350-6344  or contact AOS 93 Adult Education at 563-2811, MSAD 40 Adult Education at 832-5205, Wiscasset Adult Education at 882-9710 or Boothbay Region Adult Education at 633-3224.

Posted by Anne Fensie  on January 5th 2010 | Read more in: News and Events

Basket of Thanks & Merry and Bright Family Night in Wiscasset

Families Learning Together Events

Local families enjoyed two recent events hosted by Wiscasset Adult and Community Education’s Families Learning Together Program, a free program funded by the Barbara Bush Foundation, which helps parents achieve their educational goals and helps children succeed at school.

Family Fun Cozy Cookout

On November 13^th , Maine Heritage Village on Route 1 in Wiscasset put on a magical evening for families to kick off the holiday season and celebrate family literacy. The evening commenced with dinner and live music in the Lobster Shack; then families gathered in the village gazebo to watch the holiday lights come on. Afterwards, the children had story time and played wonderful old fashioned games, such as, Pin the Gobbler on the Turkey and an apple-spoon relay. To top it all off, families enjoyed s’mores and hot cocoa, face painting, ice cream cones and a game of charades accompanied by live music.

Basket of Thanks

The following week on November 24^th, Families Learning Together hosted their Basket of Thanks event at Wiscasset Primary School, featuring Thanksgiving crafts, pie making, and a class on how to read food labels. Finally, families had the opportunity to put together a free Thanksgiving basket of food for their holiday dinner.

Merry and Bright Family Night

Families Learning Together will be hosting another free family event, Merry and Bright Family Night, on Thurdfay evening December 17^th from 5-730 pm, which will include holiday gift making and crafts for both the children and parents, pictures with Santa and singing  holiday carols. There will be free books, a “gently-used” toy swap and gift wrapping. Finally, families will have the opportunity to put together a basket of food for their holiday meal. Don’t miss this opportunity to get together with other families and celebrate the season!

To register for Merry and Bright Family Night or for further information about the Families Learning Together Program, please call the Wiscasset Adult & Community Education office at 882-9710 or attend registration morning at the Wiscasset Primary School on Tuesday, December 8^th from 8:30-9:30 am. Participating families must have a child 0-8 years old and a parent (s) who is committed to improving their education.

Posted by Anne Fensie  on December 9th 2009 | Read more in: News and Events