Adult education bringing hope to young dropouts
Some finding bridge to college, careers
The state has listed James Stonier as a high school dropout since the 18-year-old quit Fort Dorchester High School earlier this year when his grades plummeted.
But James spends more than five hours each day listening to teachers explain complicated math concepts and English skills. He hopes to attend Trident Technical College next year and eventually enroll at The Citadel.
Wade Spees
The Post and Courier
James Stonier (foreground) and Hal Hume, both 18, study fractions at the Dorchester County Adult Education Technical Assistance Center in Summerville while preparing for the GED exam .
Unlike the dropout stereotype, James isn't wasting his days lounging on his couch or stirring up trouble on the streets. Instead, he's focused on earning his GED by taking classes at Dorchester County's Adult Education Technical Assistance Center. He receives one-on-one attention in smaller classes and said he's learning in an environment geared toward his needs.
"It's just as hard as high school, but you have people here who are willing to spend time with you," he said. "I know my life won't be easy without a degree or certification or making money. For me, I just think this is a more successful way to get there."
Students like James were once a rarity in South Carolina's adult education programs. The centers were designed to help adults move up in the workplace, and partnerships with business and industry were the norm.
Adult education programs today, however, have positioned themselves to meet the needs of the state's multitude of high school dropouts. Numerous studies have found that South Carolina has the lowest on-time graduation rate in the nation, with roughly 55 percent of students graduating high school within the standard four-year period.
Educators often wonder where all of those dropouts go. Julie Kornahrens, director of Dorchester County's Adult Education Program, hopes her center can serve as one answer to that question.
Kornahrens — and directors of other sites across the state — now offer separate classes and schedules for "younger" students ages 17 to 21. She said her students are hard workers who are following a nontraditional path. "There's such a narrow focus on what constitutes a high school graduate," she said. "Not all students are programmed on the same clock."
David Stout, director of the S.C. Department of Education's Adult and Community Education office, said the Dorchester program's approach is reflective of a statewide trend in adult education. No longer are programs only focused on helping adults looking to switch jobs.
"We are getting younger and younger," Stout said. "If we can get these younger students a GED, and help them go to technical school, enter the military or apply for a job, then everyone wins."
Wade Spees
The Post and Courier
Luis Aguilar and his classmates support a pinata Friday in an English as a second language class at the Dorchester County Adult Education Technical Assistance Center on Boone Hill Road in Summerville while students from Mexico demonstrate Christmas traditions. The class includes students from Panama, Korea, Vietnam, Russia, Brazil, China, Honduras and Syria.
Part of the new young adult effort includes the recent hiring of transition specialists, who play a similar role to school guidance counselors, at each site across the state. These employees assist in organizing college tours, preparing resumes, formatting job applications and teaching interview skills. Students are encouraged to keep in contact with the transition specialists even after they earn their GEDs.
Nearly 61,000 students across the state were enrolled in adult education classes last year, with 7,717 candidates attempting the GED for the first time. The state achieved a pass rate of 62.1 percent for first-time test-takers. The first-time passing rates in Charleston, Berkeley and Dorchester counties all exceeded the state's rate.
At Berkeley County's Adult Education Program, director Lillie Caldwell said her staff is committed to serving students ages 17 to 21. Berkeley offers virtual school classes online for young people interested in taking GED courses but who cannot make it to the center.
Centers across the state, including those in the Lowcountry, also are expanding their traditional programs at the same time they strive to boost their services for younger students. Berkeley, for example, has one of the largest programs for English as a second language in the state, Caldwell said.
The Dorchester center offers child-care services while parents study. That help is the reason 33-year-old Tiffany Cordero is able to pursue her GED.
Cordero dropped out of her California high school during her freshman year. When her family moved to Summerville last year, she sought a job in customer service but was told she needed a diploma or GED certificate.
Every morning, she sends her 12-year-old off to middle school and her 6-year-old to elementary school. Then, Cordero goes to "school" herself, with 23-month-old Eddie. He stays in the child-care area while mom stresses over algebra.
"It's hard and I'm slow to learn, but I think I'm improving," Cordero said. "I made a bad decision to drop out in high school, and it's made my life harder later on. If this program can help me get my GED, I know things will be easier."
Award winners
Adult education programs in Berkeley, Charleston and Dorchester counties were recognized for their achievements at the state's recent "Celebrating our Success" awards luncheon. Here are some of the awards that the Lowcountry's programs took home:
-- Met or exceeded the state's performance standards in all categories: Berkeley, Charleston, Dorchester
-- The state's top seven counties with the highest number of high school credentials awarded: Dorchester
-- Issued the highest number of career-readiness certificates: Berkeley
-- Adult Education Director of the Year: Julie Kornahrens, Dorchester
-- Adult Education Director Hall of Fame (director with a minimum of 15 years' service): Lillie Caldwell, Berkeley
-- Exceeded the state's GED pass rate, determined by the number of exams passed divided by the number of tests attempted: Berkeley, Charleston, Dorchester
-- Exceeded the state's GED pass rate for first-time test-takers: Berkeley, Charleston, Dorchester
-- Exceeded the state's GED pass rate, determined by the number of individuals taking the exam divided into the passing number, not taking into account of the number of times a person attempted the test: Berkeley, Charleston, Dorchester
Reach Mindy B. Hagen at mhagen@postandcourier.com or 937-5433.
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Comments
This article has 16 comment(s)
Posted by Hey_U_Guys on December 10, 2007 at 7:46 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Why not just continue your high school education? So many kids drop out soooo close to graduation, and then "work hard" to earn their GED. I just don't get it.
Posted by theronce on December 10, 2007 at 7:49 a.m. (Suggest removal)
As a graduate of the public schools and a SC college in the early 70's, I actually recommend that students, who are doing well in school but do not intend to attend college, drop out after the 10th grade and get a GED. They have the basics by then, can get a part time job for work experience, and can start to focus on getting the appropriate education for their trade.
Posted by miki on December 10, 2007 at 9:55 a.m. (Suggest removal)
My cousins were verbally and physically threatened their entire school career at Walterboro schools because of their father's job and disabilities. Dropping out saved their lives and let them move on to "real" life. One is as successful as can be without a GED. The other just finished his GED and has already achieved a great deal more than anticipated.
As was said, not everyone works on the same clock. Some people do well in a structured public education environment, others don't. Some a made to go to college right out of high school, others aren't. It shouldn't be right or wrong for society, it should be right or wrong for the person. I commend the young people who chooses the path that's best for them that still gets them the education that is imperative to living well.
Posted by ticket3477 on December 10, 2007 at 10:18 a.m. (Suggest removal)
This kid is a rarity. It is not a good idea to encourage anyone to drop out of school to get their GED. Kids that want to drop out of school are just being lazy. Highschool does often suck beyond all belief...but dropping out should be a last resort, not a first.
This guy obviously wants to go to college and is working towards that goal, which is commendable. But telling your kids to have low expectations and that its ok to drop out if you dont feel like going to college is the stupidest thing I have ever heard.
Posted by Hey_U_Guys on December 10, 2007 at 10:25 a.m. (Suggest removal)
One of my cousins, dropped out 2 months into her senior year. The next year, she re-entered what was now her 2nd senior year. 1 month before graduation, she dropped out AGAIN. She had the grade to graduate. She was just tired of getting up early and going to school. She's 30 and still lives with her parents. She never got her GED and last I heard she was an operator at some low-level company, making 8 bucks an hour. I guess it's an upgrade from making pizzas at Pizza Hut for 6 bucks an hour.
Posted by Hey_U_Guys on December 10, 2007 at 10:36 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Now that I think about it, her brother is also a drop-out. He dropped out his sophmore year. He never got a GED, either. Now him, his girlfriend, and their 2 kids, live with his parents, and sister, and he stocks shelves at a grocery store. His GF gets some kind of SSI check every month, so she doesn't work. If I were my aunt and uncle, I'd kick their sorry a$$es out.
Posted by ticket3477 on December 10, 2007 at 10:42 a.m. (Suggest removal)
See! its all about laziness!
Kids drop out bc they just dont feel like it anymore...I dont wanna wake up early anymore, my teacher makes do homework, I dont wanna study for my test...lazy, lazy, lazy.
It is nothing to be supported or condoned.
Posted by Southern1 on December 10, 2007 at 10:47 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Ticket3477 ~ I completely agree with you. Kids who drop out of High School and get their GED's are just taking the easy way out. These classes are not all year round and they are only for a few hours a day. Most kids drop out so that they dont have to get up so early in the mornings or stay in a class room for the better half of the day.
Schools not only are developing a childs education but they also prepare them for the real world. By going to school every morning "on time" and being present every day helps them develope good work habits for later in life.
To encourage a children to drop out of school and get they're GED is insane! No wonder our education system is so screwed up
Posted by Draconian on December 10, 2007 at 11:25 a.m. (Suggest removal)
It is scientifically proven that HS kids biological clocks are not in sinc with early school hours. The message is loud and clear-change school start times for a later opening. Traditional ed is not for everyone and seat time has nothing to do with knowledge. Real life applied knowledge of competency and mastery of understanding is over looked by the teach to the test of standards that are never applied to life applications. That is why a recent college grads start at the bottom of their trade because they lack experience. Interships of coopertive learning for credit is imperative to future success in life.
Posted by ticket3477 on December 10, 2007 at 11:40 a.m. (Suggest removal)
And those that cant deal with the early school start time and drop out end up working on cars, selling cars, working at gas stations, and can never get past a certain level in their job because nobody will promote someone who doesnt have a college degree. No matter how driven and hard working they are...they will hit a plateau with out the highschool and college degree.
My aunt hit the plateau and got sick of it so she went back to school in her 40's and has since graduated and was immediately promoted to the job she had been applying for for years but couldnt get because of her lack of education.
Posted by ticket3477 on December 10, 2007 at 11:43 a.m. (Suggest removal)
The biological clock theory is garbage. If thats what drop outs use as their reason then tell me why everyone doesnt drop out. Why didnt I drop out? Why didnt my brother? Why didnt any of my friends or their friends drop out? Why didnt my parents?
hmm...interesting.
Posted by eyfigueroa on December 10, 2007 at 11:56 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I think many of you are missing the point. This program and others like it are NOT promoting drop outs. In fact they are encouraging individuals to 'drop back in'.
Kids drop out of high school for various reasons. Some because they are lazy, want to hustle drugs. Some kids have such a terrible home life that they can't study and end up failing out. Some girls get pregnant and end up working to support themselves. Some girls get pregnant and are too ashamed to stay in school. Some kids have families that are so trifling that the kids have to work just to put food on the table.
In any event, I applaud ANYONE realizing that SOME education is better than none and would work towards the goal of a GED.
And for those of you who complain about GED courses only being a few hours a day. In govt. schools, at least a 1/3 of the day it taken up by superfluous activities such as roll call, traveling between classes, lunch. GED courses are compressed so that the student receives FAR more instructional time per subject matter than most kids in govt. schools.
I rather my tax dollars go towards programs such as these as opposed to continuing the welfare cycle of the uneducated/untrained.
Posted by leblackw on December 10, 2007 at 1:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I agree fig...this article is not encouraging anyone to drop out of school, but giving those who do drop out (for good or bad reasons) an option so that they do not have to lose forever what they once passed on. Not everyone functions best in a 4-year HS, 4-year college environment for various reasons.
Posted by fastdogs on December 10, 2007 at 2:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I applaud James and all those like him who have the courage to do whatever it takes to improve their lives; who refuse to be defeated and continue to persevere despite the odds. Whatever his reason for dropping out initially, he is doing what he can to improve his situation. High School was very difficult several decades ago, I can only imagine what it is like in today's society, when people are so quick to point the finger of blame but very reluctant to offer a helping hand....
Posted by lookyhere on December 10, 2007 at 2:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I think it is great for someone to acknowlege that there is no where to go in the work environment without an education. I applaud anyone who has the courage to go back to school. Its hard to walk back into the classroom.
Posted by ticket3477 on December 10, 2007 at 4:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)
It is good that this kid is saying he wants to go to trident and then the citadel...but its not likely that its really going to happen.
I have a friend I met 5 years ago who has said year after year..."I plan to go to trident and transfer to CofC"...the it turned into "I want to sell screened porches" (wtf?)..then the next year it was "Im going to trident to learn house restoration"..next year "I want to be an EMT"
Such are the excuses of a dropout...they rarely if ever follow through on anything until it smacks them in teh face when they are 40 and realize...WOOPS! I made a bad decision there.
Im going back to school because I realize that my 4 year college education is making work my butt of to get anywhere and I would like an even bigger leg up.