Programs :: Community Educational Outreach

The educational programs concentrate on promoting personal growth, self–reliance, literacy, life and work place skills. The primary goals are (1) to ensure that every student who does not already possess a high school diploma or equivalent has the opportunity to earn a GED, (2) all unemployed and under employed residents receive instruction in employability and assistance with their job search, and (3) all learners have access to adult basic education in order to improve literacy and life skills. In addition, the goal of CEO is to create and provide a positive, instructive, and safe learning environment and free educational resources for at–risk adult students.

GED

The GED test consists of five tests which can be taken separately, over the course of two years. A minimum total score of 2250, an average of 450 on all five tests, with no score below 410, is required to earn the GED certificate. CEO’s GED program prepares students for the official GED test by providing assessment, instruction, tutoring, and practice tests in the areas of:

Language Arts: Reading
Language Arts: Writing
Social Studies
Science
Mathematics

HIRE

The HIRE program assists students with employment readiness and job searches by providing help and instruction in the following areas:

Building confidence and self esteem
Defining individual skill sets
Determining job leads
Assisting with the job application process
Facilitating the creation of resumes and cover letters
Educating students on interview techniques
Promoting follow up calls and thank you letters
Providing tools for maintaining employment

SKILLS

SKILLS (Strengthening Knowledge In Literacy and Life Skills) adds to the overall development of CEO’s selection of programs that foster personal growth, accountability, maturity, and value–based actions leading to successful reintegration into society. The SKILLS program provides adult basic education for offenders functioning below the eighth grade level as well as adult secondary education for students functioning at and above the 8th grade level. Hence students from grades zero plus benefit from SKILLS. In addition, computer instruction is offered through SKILLS, advocating computer introduction, basic software application, and typing skills. Moreover, instruction in life skills, such as budgeting, apartment rental, completing tax forms, financial aid and highr education are covered in skills.

LIFE

Literacy through Intergenerational and Family Education supplies students with a unique learning structure that allows parents to foster literacy in their children. CEO offers Book on Tape to estranged parents, allowing them to read a story on tape which is then delivered with the book to the child(ren).

Student Centered Learning

CEO instructors and volunteers work hard to make students feel comfortable. Many adult students have had bad experiences with education in the past and are afraid of looking or feeling stupid.
Some ways to ensure student comfort are to respect what they can bring to the classroom and to acknowledge their learning objectives.
Create an attitude of equality among students and instructors. Students will be much more comfortable and open to learning if they are respected and treated as adults.
Unlike traditional education, adult education focuses on the students and not on the material. Therefore, it is essential to adapt the material to meet the needs of the students.
Working together is a fundamental part of student-centered learning. As students take the role of teacher, they discover effective methods of communication while becoming more familiar with the information. Therefore, it is important to create an atmosphere where students have the freedom to work together to solve problems.
As a teacher, it is important to go the extra mile to make students feel welcome. When teachers reinforce academic superiority, a barrier to learning is created.
It is important to help students build confidence. Since education is not part of their everyday life, positive reinforcement is frequently needed to retain student commitment. Furthermore, by providing a relaxed and flexible learning environment, students will look forward to coming to class.
Avoid telling a student “you can’t” and “ don’t. ” Instead, choose words that will provide positive reinforcement such as you can, “you could”, “you did!”. And CEO believes that it is crucial to avoid yelling at adult students.
CEO teachers teach because they care about people. This factor is important for students to see at all times.