In the heart of Kentuckiana lies Jefferson County, home to more than 700,000 residents and an outstanding Adult and Continuing Education program. During the 2008-09 school year, the Jefferson County Public Schools Adult and Continuing Education program (JCPSACE) met the needs of more than 6,240 individuals through its ABE, GED and ESL classes, allowing them to meet 100% of their state performance goals. This year, MACAE is lucky enough to welcome Julie Scoskie and Joyce Griffith to its 2009 Annual Conference from this nationally recognized program. Here they will share their expertise and discuss their program’s partnership with the local community college.

Though the JCPSACE numbers are impressive, it’s the collaboration and partnership with the local community college that is most-recognized. In an article written by Scoskie, the JCPSACE program director, she says “state and community leaders were keenly aware something had to be done to increase educational attainment across the board in order to remain competitive in the 21st century economy.” It was then that Kentucky Senate Bill 1 (2000) restructured adult education, calling for an integrated system of adult education and services that would result in more adults receiving their GEDs and entering postsecondary education or training.

Soon a partnership was born, as the Adult Education and Community College system were both looking to meet enrollment and educational goals, as well as making postsecondary education more accessible and affordable for students.

This partnership is called the Educational Enrichment Services (EES) Transition Program. Launched in 2003 and funded by Kentucky Adult Education, Scoskie said “EES provides classes through a re-branded Adult Education Program, free of charge to the students. It is designed to assist students whose college entrance exam scores fall below a designated level,” Scoskie notes.

While taking classes through EES, most students are concurrently enrolled in other courses at the college, which has improved retention rates of at-risk students. “The program is designed in conjunction with college staff to mirror the schedule, design and curriculum of core college classes so students can flow seamlessly from EES into other courses,” Scoskie adds.

Since the program began, it has helped increase access and affordability to college. The EES course completion rate of 80% and college retention rate of 70%, compared to that of 53% for those not in EES, continues to impress. In addition, Scoskie writes, JCTC provides a full scholarship to one outstanding GED student at the GED graduation ceremony each year.

Not only has this program helped more adult learners move onto postsecondary education or training, but the collaboration with the community college has resulted in many other benefits, including physical resources, registration systems and staff development opportunities.

The EES program and dedication of JCPSACE show what is possible when educators combine their talents, expertise and resources for one great cause.