Adult Learning Center
Diane McQueen, ABE Director ~ 307.532.83991.866.EASTWYO (1.866.327.8996) ext 8399
Mission Statement
The Adult Basic Education (ABE) program at EWC is a student-centered, individualized, goal-oriented educational program offered to the residents of Goshen, Platte, Converse, Niobrara, Weston and Crook counties. The ABE program offers assistance to adult learners who need to improve their basic literacy skills for the GED® examination or for employment and/or educational purposes. We also provide educational services in the form of English as a Second Language courses and Citizenship Courses to non-native speakers of English.
Vision & Goals
The primary goal of the ABE program is to complete the educational inadequacies found in learners seeking to obtain a GED®, improve their basic skills (ABE), or to learn English as a Second Language.
Objectives
The objectives of our program include:
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orienting learners to our programs. This is done through a standardized orientation process.
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pre-test and post-test assessments with TABE, BEST Plus and/or Best Literacy at each of our sites
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establishing attainable goals and help learners achieve these goals by:
-meeting State guidelines
-providing instructional methods that meet individualized learning styles
-empowering learners to make decisions regarding their course of instruction (i.e. "What" and "How" they want to learn)
-having learners commit to at least 12 hours of on-site instruction
-providing learners with tutors/instructors
-providing learners with computerized instructional software
-giving them appropriate homework
-periodically reviewing learners' educational goals to determine whether goals are being met
-making learning fun
-encouraging further lifelong learning including enrollment in postsecondary/technical educational programs
Orientation
All students are provided with a standardized orientation procedure which includes testing and evaluation, goal setting, and general program information.
Retention Plan
Retention begins with orientation. Students are familiarized with our programs, how they work and what is expected of them. It is our belief that if every part of the instructional process is clarified for the learner, then the learner will most likely be retained in the program of study.
Setting Goals
Because learning is an individualized process, students play a major role in setting their own educational goals. Instructors provide the required assistance to help students set realistic short term and long term goals. Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Timely (SMART) goals are established for each student.
Relevancy
Course materials relevant to learner's needs are used to help increase retention.
Planning
Students take an active role in planning their own individual plan of study. Options available to students may include individualized instruction, managed enrollment, computer instruction, guided self-instruction, or any combination thereof. Students are also encouraged to voice their own opinions on the best way to achieve educational objectives.
Showing Progress
Because adult learners can be hard on themselves and question their actual educational progress, it is important to ensure that all students are aware of any achievements they may make. Various approaches are used to assist students in understanding their to-date accomplishments. (eg. reviewing homework with the student, post-testing, teacher-student consultations, etc.)
Absences
Student absences are dealt with in a professional, yet caring manner. After the initial absence, instructors make informal contact with the student through the telephone and encourage the student to return to class as soon as possible. After a period of 60 days of continual non-attendance, Eastern Wyoming College follows up with a written communiqué encouraging their return to class. After 90 days of non-attendance, students are classified on the database as 'inactive.'
Services Available
Eastern Wyoming College offers a a program of instruction for the GED®, adult basic education classes for general literacy, WorkKeys, Compass Prep, ACT Prep, citizenship and English as a Second Language (ESL) at all locations within the six county service area. Flexible scheduling is available for individualized instruction.
The purpose of the ABE program is to provide services to those adults who have not completed their elementary and high school education and whose tested abilities in Reading, Writing, and/or Mathematics are below a 12th grade level. Classes are free to participants and include a wide variety of teaching resources including computerized instruction using Plato, KeyTrain, or GED 1120.
The Adult Basic Education program is available to learners in the six counties covered by the EWC service area: Crook, Weston, Converse, Niobrara, Goshen, and Platte.
To find the nearest Eastern Wyoming College ABE site, click on one of the town's shown in the map below.
Instruction
Instruction begins with a complete orientation into the program. Students are given an appropriate assessment as a pre-test. Pre-test scores are used to help students set realistic goals as well as for placement into a program of students. Students are post-tested after they've completed 60 hours of instruction, a program of instruction, or with the approval of the Program Director.
General Education Development GED®
GED® preparation focuses on the various parts of the actual GED® examination. These include: writing, social studies, science, interpreting literature and the arts and mathematics. The program of study for GED® candidates is individualized to each learner's needs. Because of this, all learners are given the option of private instruction with either an instructor or a college tutor (whenever possible) or group instruction in a classroom environment. In addition, all learners are set up on PLATO, GED 1120 and or KeyTrain for self-study purposes and are given appropriate homework assignments whenever possible.
Adult Basic Education (ABE)
Adult Basic Education is available for students who want to improve their basic reading, writing, mathematics and/or computer skills. Adult learners who want to improve their basic literacy skills in the subject areas of reading, writing, math, science and/or social studies are provided with instruction. This instruction is self-paced, and is tailored to each learner's tested skill level. Instruction can take several forms: self-directed learning using the PLATO software, one-on-one instruction with either a private tutor or an instructor, or in the classroom environment.
Test Preparation
WorkKeys, ACT®, Compass Prep instruction is designed specifically to help our learners succeed on all skill areas associated with the specific test they need.
Citizenship
To become a U.S. citizen requires that learners know U.S. history and how its government works. Instruction prepares students for questions they will encounter on both the written and oral parts of the U.S. naturalization test.
English as a Second Language (ESL)
A five-level series of English as a Second Language courses are available for non-native speakers of English. These courses are designed to help learners develop the communicative skills necessary for living in the United States. ESL students are placed into an appropriate course level as determined by their pre-test scores on both BEST PLUS and Best Literacy or on TABE CLAS-E. Placement is as shown in the charts below.
| Assessment Tool | SPL Score | Textbook Level |
| BEST PLUS and Best Literacy | 0-1 | Literacy |
| 2 | One | |
| 3 | Two | |
| 4 | Three | |
| 5 & 6 | Four |
| Assessment Tool | SPL Score | Textbook Level |
|
TABE CLAS-E |
0-1 | Literacy |
| 1-2 | One | |
| 3 | Two | |
| 3-4 | Three | |
| 5 & 6 | Four |
Follow Up
Three to nine months after a student is exited from one of the Adult Learning Center's at EWC, they will be contacted for information. Federal mandates require that all Adult Learning Center's in the U.S.A. track student success after exiting a program of study. To this end, the ABE program at EWC periodically conducts follow up surveys either by phone or by mail to obtain student information, particularly in relation to employment and post-secondary education.
