Seneca Highlands Intermediate Unit 9 will use a $448,000 grant awarded by the Pennsylvania Department of Education to increase the number of people served by its current adult education program.
“This grant expands the current program to include services to 256 adult students in the five-county area,” said Kelly Davis, coordinator of special programs for the IU9.
In collaboration with the IU9, adult education services are available in Cameron, Elk, McKean, Potter and Jefferson counties
The IU9 will get a combination of state funds, authorized under the Pennsylvania Adult and Family Literacy Act 143, and and federal funds, authorized under Title II of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2014, said Davis.
IU9 will be hiring two part-time teachers and a part-time tutor to assist with the expanded program, she noted. The part-time teachers will be employed in Cameron and Elk counties, and the tutor will cover Cameron, Elk, McKean and Potter counties.
They will join the full-time teachers already employed in McKean and Potter counties.
“The IU will directly serve 201 students in Cameron, Elk, McKean and Potter (counties),” she said. Classes will be in the PA CareerLinks in McKean, Potter and Cameron counties and in the Community Education Center in Elk County.
“Services in Jefferson County will be provided through an agreement with Community Action Inc. to serve 55 students,” she said.
“Our adult educators work closely with school districts to encourage students to stay in school and graduate. However, for students who are determined to drop out, it is best for them to get enrolled in an adult education program as soon as possible after making that decision,” said Davis. “That way, they do not have a lapse in educational services and can continue on their chosen career pathway.”
There are different services to help adults with different needs.
“Services include basic instruction to assist adults to become literate and obtain the knowledge and skills necessary for employment and economic self-sufficiency,” said Davis. “Instruction for adults at all educational functional levels, including high school equivalency test preparation, will be offered.”
Davis notes that any Pennsylvania residents who need a high school equivalency diploma can take either the GED test or the HiSET exam in order to earn the Commonwealth Secondary School Diploma.
“It is a common misconception that a person ‘gets’ the GED, when in reality the GED is one of the tests you can pass to earn your high school equivalency diploma in PA,” she said.
Other adults can benefit from the program, too, according to Davis.
“The program is not just for residents who need a high school diploma,” she noted. “Many of our students have a diploma, or even some postsecondary education, but need to brush up on basic skills to get a job or advance in a job.”
Agencies in the area work together to make the adult education program possible.
“Through collaboration with our PA CareerLink partners, the adult education program can help residents meet their education and employment goals,” said Davis.
She explained, “Services provided in collaboration with PA CareerLink partners include career services such as assessment of skill levels, referrals to and coordination of support services and programs, and provision of information on postsecondary education, training and workforce services. While most of the services are provided in the community, some services will be available through the IU’s partnership with the McKean County Prison.”
Adults can learn more at their local PA CareerLink.
More information on the grant or on the Commonwealth Secondary School Diploma tests can be found on the Pennsylvania Department of Education’s website.
