Atlanta Technical College wants to remove barriers to higher education and employment. The school's new Adult Education Department will help students 16 and older improve literacy and basic education skills, prepare for the GED exam and earn a high school equivalency diploma.
“The Atlanta and Fulton County communities approached us asking for adult literacy and GED preparation classes, and our aim is to be a one-stop shop for adult education,” said Monique M. Faulkner, dean of adult education at Atlanta Tech.
“The response has been overwhelming. We had more than 200 people contact us before classes officially started on Aug. 21,” Faulkner said. Registration at the Adult Education Center on campus is ongoing.
The college offers Adult Basic Education classes for people with low reading, writing and math skills and Adult Secondary Education classes to help people prepare for the GED exams. All classes are taught by subject experts in technology-enhanced classrooms.
The free classes are held Mondays through Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and from 6 to 8 p.m. Child care is available on Atlanta Tech’s campus.
“We’re partnering with community organizations, churches, local nonprofit agencies and the Workforce Investment Act representative on campus to help students overcome transportation, child care and funding issues that could keep them from getting the education they need,” Faulkner said. “On Fridays, we’ll be offering career development and life skills classes such as résumé writing, dressing for success, communication skills, job search tactics and how to manage money.”
Applicants are required to have a valid Georgia ID. Students ages 16 to 19 must have an official withdrawal form from public, private or home school systems. Underage youths (16 and 17) must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
All applicants will be scheduled for a TABE (Test for Adult Basic Education) assessment.
“Scores on the TABE won’t deter students from enrolling, but it will help us know in what level of classes to place them,” Faulkner said.
Students who need to take English as a second language classes will also find them on campus.
A transition specialist will meet with students individually to help them set and meet academic goals and to prepare them for postsecondary education or work.
“Our mission is to help people develop the critical-thinking skills they need to take charge of their own education and lives,” Faulkner said.
Adult education is offered statewide through the Technical College System of Georgia. Last year, the system enrolled more than 100,000 students, 18,000 of whom earned their GED.
“What’s unique to our program is that our adult education students will be given Atlanta Tech IDs and have access to all campus resources, including our new library and testing center with 250 computers,” Faulkner said.
For information, call 404-225-4433 or send an e-mail to adulted@atlantatech.edu.
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