A Monthly Insight into KCPS Adult Education

High School Equivalency Kickoff KCAEL’s First Successful HSE completion EOC Assists KCAEL Students 4th Annual Community Resource Fair

Kansas City Adult Education & Literacy

recently hosted an event to prepare

our students for the changes related to

the New High School Equivalency (HSE)

Exam. The state of Missouri will no

longer recognize the GED® test as it

has been replaced with the HiSET.

Look inside for more information and pictures

from the event

Dear Reader and Program Supporter,

Welcome to the 2014 Winter edition of our newsletter. We hope that you find it to be both informative and interesting. This edition of our newsletter is filled with information pertaining to the new High School Equivalency Exam (HSE), student successes, and snapshots of exciting events taking place throughout our program.

On Thursday, January 30, we were proud to be able to host an awesome event and informational session featuring changes to the HSE that directly impact our community. We are confident that the information provided benefits individuals as they prepare for the HSE.

I would like to extend a thank you to our special guests which included: The Superintendent of KCPS, Dr. R. Stephen Green, Tom Robbins, State AEL Director, Jeanne Loyd, Assistant Commissioner for Adult and Rehabilitation Services, Amy Riker, National Executive Director of ETS, Rita Berry, General Manager for KGGN Gospel Radio, Gary Brock, Director of Education, KCPT, Jennifer Walk, EOC, Lincoln Dance Team, and our inspirational speaker, Mr. Craig Boykin. An extra special thank you to Kira Morrison for the vision and follow through that made this event a huge success. Sincerely,

Sonya J. Thomas Director of Adult Education and Literacy

HiSET Kickoff Event The Kansas City Adult Education & Literacy (KCAEL)

Program held its official HiSET kickoff event on January

30, 2014. The event took place at Paseo Academy of Fine

and Performing Arts. The purpose of this event was to

introduce our students, as well as the general public, to

the new HiSET exam. The HiSET exam replaced the retired

GED® test, which ended December 31, 2013. Today, a

high school equivalency credential is required for almost

everything. There was a time when a person could get a

job or serve in the military without it. Such is not true

today. Employers and our armed forces are looking for

those who have completed this basic requirement. There

is also the issue of college. The new test involves critical

thinking ability. The students are being prepared for

College Career Readiness, if they should choose to further

their education.

The theme for the event was “Cruising from the GED® to

the HSE.” Students were taken on an informational cruise

though all facets of the new HiSET exam. The event was

attended by over 250 students, as well as KCPS staff, state

and local officials. Dr. Green participated in the event and

welcomed our guests. The KCAEL program’s keynote

speaker was Mr. Craig Boykin from Montgomery,

Alabama. Students in attendance found Mr. Boykin to be

inspirational and motivating. They were able to identify

with the speaker, since he had also earned his GED®. He

has since attained his Bachelor’s degree and two Master’s

degrees and is currently working towards obtaining his

Doctorate in Adult Education.

Mr. Boykin shared his inspirational story to help

encourage students on their journey to obtaining their

High School Equivalency certificate. During an intimate

“Lunch and Learn,” students were given the chance to

hear more of Mr. Boykin’s story. At the luncheon, Mr.

Boykin interacted with students in a more up close and

personal way. They were all captivated by his experiences

because these so closely mirrored their own. All in

attendance had a great time.

The event was featured on local news stations as well as

on cable channel 18 as produced by the broadcast and

journalism students at Paseo. Through this event and

coverage, KCAEL is/was able to get the word out about

the transition from the old GED® to the new HSE test.

For our AEL students, we predict Smooth Sailing as we press forward, Full Steam Ahead

Above and Left: AEL students and Craig Boykin, inspirational speaker focus on ways to succeed and overcome obstacles during the lunch and learn event. Right and Below: Student participants and AEL staff are all smiles with the Lincoln Dance Team after the kickoff event!

First HiSET Test Taker

By: Marvin Evans

Tyrone Jones became the first Kansas City area Adult Education & Literacy student to pass the HiSET exam on

January 8, 2014. Mr. Jones was a student in Ms. Sparcle James’ advanced reading/language class and Mr.

Marvin Evans’ advance mathematics class. Mr. Jones enrolled in the program in October of 2013.

Mr. Evans: Tyrone, what made you want to come

back to school and earn your HSE?

Mr. Jones: I had an opportunity to get a job with a

local engineering company, but was

turned down, because I did not have a

high school diploma.

Mr. Evans: How did you prepare for the HiSET?

Mr. Jones: I focused on the skills that I knew I was

weak in, did the homework given out by

the instructors, and I also set aside time

to study.

Mr. Evans: Did you find the test difficult?

Mr. Jones: No, I didn’t think the test was as difficult

as people think it is. The test has a lot of

reading related to the questions, and you

have to use your critical thinking skills to

answer the questions. The math test,

problems are all in a word format, so you

must read the problem carefully, and fully to understand what the problem is asking you. If you

follow the problem solving strategy you taught us in math, you will be able to solve and answer

the problems.

Mr. Evans: Tyrone, what advice would you give students on how to prepare to successfully take and pass

the HSE Exam?

Mr. Jones: Make sure you are prepared, read the questions carefully, so that you understand what is being

asked. Be aware of the time given to take the test, and answer all of the questions.

Mr. Evans: When you got your results, how did you feel?

Mr. Jones: I felt a sense of freedom, and now I can move to the next level of my life.

Mr. Evans: What are your plans for the future?

Mr. Jones: I plan to go to college, and get a degree in Computer Graphic Design.

Mr. Evans: Thank you Tyrone, and good luck as you move to the next level of your education!

Mr. Jones: You are welcome, and thank you and Ms. James for all of your support and help!

Mr. Jones is currently employed in a position that he was able to obtain after receiving his HSE.

Congratulations Mr. Jones!!

EOC and KCAEL Partner for New HiSET Exam By: Robin Russell

Educational Opportunity Center will assist KCAEL students in need of help paying for the new HiSET.

Kansas City Adult Education & Literacy (KCAEL) and the Educational Opportunity Center (EOC) have once again partnered together. The purpose of this partnership is to provide assistance to students in need of help paying for the new HSE Exam. On January 1, 2014, the state of Missouri began implementation of the new high school equivalency exam. The GED® exam was replaced with the new HiSET exam. With the change in test, there came what seemed like an obstacle for our students. That obstacle was a change in the amount needed to pay for the test. Previously, the paper-based test was a total of $40 for the battery of tests. The new computer-based test now costs $95. Many students, who live on a budget or fixed income and do not have any extra resources, wondered how they would be able to complete that final step, once it was time to take the exam. It is a struggle, many times, for them just to be able to find enough change to attend class. Enters Jennifer Walk, Director of the EOC. Recently, Ms. Walk came to KCAEL with a proposition. She stated, “We have an opportunity to assist your students with payment of the $95 for their HSE. Would you be interested in partnering with us?” We could not respond with “Yes!” fast enough. Her concern was ours, not to mention the students. We all wanted to find a way to help offset the cost for those students who would not be able to afford to pay for the test, due to the significant increase in its cost. Some may say this was an answer to their prayer. However you choose to look at it, we are all grateful for this partnership and the opportunity to, once again, work with EOC in helping our students’ move toward accomplishing their goals of receiving their HSE and becoming more self-sufficient. Now that the students’ minds have been relieved of how they will be able to afford to pay for the new exam, they can focus on their more immediate needs, which are studying and preparing to take the test and pass it. Once again, this will prove to be a very wise partnership for KCAEL, thanks to Ms. Walk and EOC. We look forward to future endeavors with them. As with all partnerships involving EOC, this most recent collaboration is a win-win situation.

New Student Orientation and Assessment Schedule

All Orientations and Assessments are held at Manual Career Technical Center

1215 E. Truman Road, KCMO 64108

DATES AND TIMES

Orientation: Wednesday, March 26th 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM

AND Assessment: Thursday, March 27th

9:00 AM – 2:00 PM

Orientation: Tuesday, April 1st

9:00 AM – 12:00 PM OR

1:30 PM – 4:00 PM

AND

Assessment: Wednesday, April 2nd

9:00 AM – 2:00 PM

Orientation: Thursday, April 3rd

9:00 AM – 12:00 PM

AND

Assessment: Friday, April 4th

9:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Orientation: Monday, April 7th

9:00 AM – 12:00 PM OR

1:30 PM – 4:00 PM

AND

Assessment: Tuesday, April 8th

9:00 AM – 2:00 PM

Orientation: Wednesday, April 9th

9:00 AM – 12:00 PM

AND

Assessment: Thursday, April 10th

9:00 AM – 2:00 PM

Pre-register prior to attending orientation at

www.kcpuublicschools.org/ael

or call (816) 418-7150 for more information.

CLASSESS START MONDAY, APRIL 14TH

The Art of Writing By: Patricia Allen

There was a time when writing was an art. We would write, write and write some more. In the fifth grade I was introduced to writing letters. Every student in class was assigned a pen pal from another country. Each week time was set aside for a writing activity. We wrote letters to our new friends. Prior to embarking on the assignment, we were taught how to write a letter, from the heading to the signature. Great satisfaction came from the knowledge that I had learned to do something I was not capable of doing before that time. Next we learned to write poems. Although the poems were simple, we thought we were poets. In the seventh grade I received my first poem from a boy. The poem stated, “Columbus discovered America in 1492, but I

discovered love when I discovered you.” You could say that a love poem helped me learn history. I remembered from that day forward that America was discovered in the year 1492. That was when I enjoyed writing the most. I still write, but due to time constraints, it has more to do with work than it does with writing to put my thoughts down on paper. With advancement in technology, the art of writing (especially correctly) seems to be vanishing. If writing correctly is vanishing, what about spelling? It has become acceptable for us to write or text using fragmented or run-on sentences, poor grammar and misspelled words. “Reading Across the Curriculum” highlights teaching reading in every class, not just Communication Arts. It can be taught in all disciplines. The same holds

true for writing. The 3 R’s of Reading, Writing and Arithmetic are still important. I teach these subjects to the MO Option students. They are encouraged to explore their creative side. They do this by writing songs, poems and short stories. Some are willing to put their feelings on paper. Many times we are able to articulate better on paper, than we are orally. This month the students will show their creative ability by presenting poems for the KCAEL newsletter. They show that the art of writing is not dead. It is dormant and waiting to be awakened in all who are willing to pick up the pen, or computer, and put their words down on paper. This is whether it is for their eyes or for sharing with others.

Missouri Option Students Take High School Equivalency Exam

By: Patricia Allen

KCAEL MO Option students are preparing to wrap-up the final steps necessary for graduation and the receipt of their symbolic sheepskin, the coveted diploma. In order for the students to graduate, there are specific requirements which must be met. This includes: attendance, classroom work, community service, computer work, etc. While meeting all of the requirements is important, the one the students look forward to the most is the High School Equivalency exam (HSE). The HSE exam is the culmination of all their hard work. This week the first students began to take the new series of the HSE. They were tested in the areas of Math, Reading, Science, Social Studies, Language Arts and Writing. Eleven students have been signed-up, so far. Seven of the students have already tested and passed most parts (waiting on writing results), with the other four testing in the next two weeks. Additionally, 14 more students are scheduled to take the Official Practice HiSET. All who pass the practice test will then be registered to take the HSE exam. The countdown to graduation has begun. The students have less than three months to complete all requirements to be able to participate in their home schools’ graduations. In the meantime, we will continue our efforts that students may receive their high school diploma from Kansas City Public Schools.

MISSOURI OPTION NEWS

First Row: Pat Allen, Instructor Second Row: Option students Malik Ross, Jasmine Jones, Darrelwanda Sanders, and Nathaniel Dailey

MISSOURI OPTION NEWS

My Life

By: Janette Yona

Cold nights, frost bites

Go to sleep with nothing to eat.

Wake up, got to shake the spot

Before somebody calls the cops.

Vacancy house, got to creep out

Like a mouse

Knowing this is wrong,

But I’ve been in this struggle for so long.

Can’t risk nobody for help

Especially somebody who has never known how it felt

To be out here in these streets,

Having to sleep on dirty sheets.

Having nobody to turn to

Only person got you is you.

Many nights will have you questioning your faith,

Asking is there is even a golden God?

Is there really a God?

Or is he just a fraud.

Will blessings ever come?

Or will I forever be a bum?

Mama don’t care where you lay yo head,

Daddy don’t know if you living or dead.

You can’t give up

Even when you’ve run out of luck.

Keep your head up,

Better yet, get your bread up.

Never let them see you frown,

Cause people love to kick you when you down.

Daddy!

By: Aaliyah Rand

Have you seen my Daddy?

I didn’t know he was going away

I knew he was sick, but things happen so far away

Most time it hurts so much

But he still wants me to carry on.

Have you seen my Daddy?

Is he playing up there with his parents?

Maybe even waiting to see his children

Or is he up there napping in God’s garden

In that place way up high?

Have you seen my Daddy?

I bet God’s with my Daddy

My Daddy is wrapped in God’s arms

My daddy is in a safe place!

But have you seen my Daddy?

I heard he doesn’t look the same

Things about him have really have changed

They said he has BIG WHITE WINGS

And he sits on a thorn with a KING!!!!!

BUT HAVE YOU SEEN MY DADDY?

Growing Up

By: Anonymous

Growing up is hard and can come with stress,

You may want to give up when your life is a mess.

This may be a test,

So don’t give up yet.

Be a fighter

Try hard and always do your best.

Even when you think life is full of stress,

Always keep trying and don’t give up yet.

Say a prayer,

And everything will work out,

I bet!!!

MISSOURI OPTION NEWS

THE BLUES PLAYER

By: Pat Allen

They came to see me smile

As I played in the band

The drums drumming and

The horns blowing as

I played bass with my hands

They thought only of music

Sweetness to the soul

I played what was in my heart

Placed there by pains of old

Mine was a cry of hurt

Pain that would not go away

Laced with hatred and bitterness

Blues played out everyday

So hard I tried to rid myself

Of feelings tearing inside

I’d put on a smile and show my teeth

Since most preferred the lies

They shouted out and begged for more

Stumped their feet and clapped their hands

So we drummed our drums and blew our horns

After all it was a blues band

As I played my bass

Anxiety massed inside

Tears appeared when the smile left

Because the blues would not subside

Us or Me?

By: Liauna Carrere

If it ever came down to the end of Us,

I would have to go with Me.

Me loves I for who I is,

Not who I am trying to be.

Not for what I has but,

What I is willing to give.

So Me stepped in the middle of Us,

I never cheated but Me was someone I could trust.

Us was going well at first,

But Me saved I before things got worse.

Never rushed always given plenty of time to think about,

Just what to say before words come out.

So I said things to Me from the heart,

Deep things that couldn't tear them apart.

But to keep them so close,

Because Us went through the most.

So much that I just could understand why,

why this thing called Us was based on a lie.

But now I am leaving,

Can't keep Me waiting,

So done contemplating.

So this is the end of US

Because I choose ME !

KCPS Adult Education & Literacy

Community Resource Fair

Receive information about:

HSE preparation ● work skills training

college and financial aid ● vision testing

health services ● voter registration

bilingual and bi-cultural information

All attendees will be eligible for a prize

drawing

The Kansas City 33 School District does not

discriminate on the basis of sex, race, religion, color,

national origin, ancestry, age, disability, sexual

orientation, gender identity, or any other factor

prohibited by law in its programs and activities.

Time:

9:30a.m.

When:

Thursday, April 24, 2014

Where:

Manual Career Technical Center

1215 E. Truman Road

Kansas City, MO 64106

For more information call or click:

816-418-5243 aelquestions@kcpublicschools.org www.kcpublicschools.org