Tahlequah Adult Education – GED Scholarship Support
Tahlequah Adult Education had just begun their major GED testing cycle for the 2022-2023 school year. They had 25 clients actively engaged in obtaining their GED. A minimum of 12 instructional hours and proficiency in a subject area were required before funds were allocated for GED testing. Most clients needed up to 30-40 hours of in-class instruction before they were academically ready. TAE strived to eliminate financial barriers and provide academic programs for clients wishing to obtain their GED. Thanks to Tahlequah Community Fund, they accomplished these goals.
The program provided opportunities for hope and positive change for their clients that were often overlooked in the community. They were fortunate to see the direct impact on their clients and their families, strengthening local bonds within the community. Obtaining a GED had been a “life-lifting” opportunity for many, and it encouraged additional personal growth. These clients hope to continue expanding their career skills and education by taking these first steps in gaining their GED.
TAE was fortunate to partner with NSU-TRIO to assist with testing funds. NSU-TRIO had become their primary funding source for GED testing, and they directed TCF Grant funds for those who did not qualify for TRIO services. Having multiple funding sources to assist with testing fees removed significant obstacles for many of their clients attempting to become eligible for the GED.
Furthermore, several local citizens offered additional funds due to their awareness of the program receiving Tahlequah Community Fund grant dollars. TAE is pleased to secure those additional funds as their testing needs increase while they move into the summer months. The program is truly making a difference not only for the GED students but for their family’s futures as well.
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Now I Know My ABC’s – Developing The Alphabetic Principle In The Early Years
In education, the alphabetic principle is the foundation of all other reading skills. One passionate teacher deeply desired her students to understand the profound connection between written letters and spoken words. She wanted them to embark on a journey of exploration, delving into the systematic relationship that often felt foreign to young learners. This teacher embarked on a mission to provide her students with ABC tools that would unlock the magic of the alphabet.
Witnessing the progress of the students filled her with joy. Each one of them not only met but surpassed their expected benchmarks. They were on the path to becoming successful readers, armed with a solid foundation of letter knowledge that would serve as their compass on their educational journey.
Among the students, one had struggled tirelessly with learning the ABC Song, stumbling over the letter names and grappling with placing them in sequential order. However, a simple tool—the Magnetic Alphabet maze—became a game-changer for her. Like a key fitting perfectly into a lock, this tool transformed her learning experience. Through its captivating use, she mastered the ABC Song, effortlessly recognizing and confidently naming all 26 letters, skillfully arranging them in their proper order. Witnessing her transformation served as a testament to the power of hands-on learning.
Another student faced a different hurdle: recognizing and naming the letters in his name. The task seemed impossible until he discovered the Fishing for ABC’s set. From that moment on, it became his trusted companion, a daily ritual he eagerly embraced. With each fishing expedition, his confidence soared. Before long, he recognized and named the letters in his own name and conquered the entire alphabet with unwavering enthusiasm.
These experiences supported the extraordinary impact of providing students with the right tools at the right time. Incorporating ABC tools opened up new avenues of learning, breaking down barriers, and fostering a genuine love for letters. Immersed in tactile exploration, these students transcended the realm of mere memorization. They forged deep connections, unraveling the mysteries of language in a way that resonated with their individual learning styles.
The success stories of these young readers reaffirmed the importance of cultivating a rich and interactive environment that nurtured their curiosity. With the alphabetic principle firmly grasped, the students were now equipped with the foundational skills necessary to embark on their literary adventures, their imaginations ready to take flight. The materials empowered these young learners to embrace a future filled with endless possibilities.
