RE: Adult Ed's role in School Readiness

In addition to the programs you have stated that the adult schools provide, we additionally provide a large vocational program for computer applications, medical front office-terminology-billing and coding, A+ Certified Computer Repair training, MOUS preparation and testing (Microsoft Office User Specialist), graphic arts, AutoCAD, Computer Networking--and we are becoming a first line Cisco Networking Academy in the fall, bus driver training, Notary Public preparation, and basic accounting appications.  In addition to vocational, we provide vocational training for senior citizens (age 50 and over), and the senior citizens in our community keep physically and mentally alert through a variety of programs.  We also work with students through the State Department of Rehabilitation and Private Insurance rehabilitation, and those collecting unemployment and need new skills to re-enter the workforce.  We also work with GAIN and CalWORKS students who are trying to get a skill to enter the workforce.

We are the safety net for seniors trying to graduate on time and adults returning to school for their GED or high school diploma.

We are a very cost effective school; we receive the lowest apportionment for our ADA.  We serve over 17,000 students a year at the ABC Adult School in Cerritos.  Our teachers are credentialed by the State of California, and we are accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.  Over 2.4 million adult students attend adult schools throughout the state each year.  The program works and maintaining this  education component is vital to meet the needs of business and industry and the community.  Each community is unique and the needs vary from community to community--we meet these unique needs and this is why the program works.