New York State Department of Labor
Profiles of Promising Practices
CATSKILL'S GED SERVICE
Columbia Greene Community College
January 2001 - Present

Purpose

• To provide GED services, job placement and career planning assistance to youth under 21 years of age in Greene and Columbia Counties.

How It Works

• Youth under 21 years of age, who were not previously receiving GED services, are now able to attend GED classes tailored to each students learning style or preference.
• Referrals go to Columbia Greene Community College (CGCC) and participants are screened for WIA eligibility.
• To accommodate each individual’s learning style, traditional GED materials are supplemented with videos, computer software programs, and on-line instruction. In addition, the program offers group and individual instruction.
• The program also has a strong employment component with pre-employment and career development topics such as resume writing, job applications and interviewing skills included in the curriculum.

Results

• After one year of operation, results included:
  • 46 total enrollments.
  • Program surpassed Title I-B Workforce Investment Act performance goals for youth.
  • Program met funding expenditure requirements for out-of-school youth.
  • Program helped the Cairo-Durham and Catskill School districts serve recent high school dropouts.
• Many students with learning disabilities who dropped out of high school are entering the program and are having success.

How They Did It

• The Columbia Greene Workforce Investment Board approved funding for the project.
• The program was approved by the State Education Department under the Alternative High School Equivalency Preparation Program.
• The Catskill School District is responsible for the instructional component and for the facilities.
• The Columbia Greene One-Stop Center’s Workforce Investment Office is responsible for eligibility determination, referrals, case management, job placement, and internships.
• The Adult Education Office is assisting with registering students for the GED test and with attaining test results from the State Education Department.

Start-Up Costs

• Start-up costs were for books and materials.

Operating Costs

• $65,000 per year.
• Courses are taught Monday through Thursday from 4:00 to 7:00 P.M. Costs include 12 hours per week, which covers two teachers, an assistant, and a counselor/employment assistant.

Funding

• WIA Title 1B provides direct funding to the project.
• The Catskill School district is researching state reimbursement aid and utilizing the GED formula funding that can be reinvested into the system.

Lessons Learned

• A dedicated, caring, and flexible staff with alternative teaching methods to deal with learning disabilities is the key to the success of the program.
• School district program support by the administration is essential.