Adult Education

The SAU Tech Adult Education Center is dedicated to helping adult learners unlock their potential through the development of academic, life, and career skills. Our focus is on fostering long-term self-sufficiency and improved quality of life for residents throughout Calhoun, Columbia, Dallas, and Ouachita Counties. The program achieves these goals through a comprehensive suite of student-centered programs and support services, including:

Adult Basic Education (ABE) Levels 1-4 –The ABE program offers instruction in basic literacy skills: reading, language, writing and math. Emphasis is on vocabulary development, comprehension improvement, dictionary skills, critical thinking, writing, basic math computation, and math problem solving. The curriculum is designed to prepare the student for further education, enhance basic skills required for job placement or advancement, and empower students to achieve their goals. These classes are taught in a managed class or at his/her own pace.

Adult Basic Education (ABE) Levels 5-6-The GAE program is designed to help students earn an Arkansas High School Diploma by passing the GED^® Tests. Instruction is designed for students who need to improve reading, writing, or math skills to earn their GED^®. Reading and writing skills may be developed through the areas of science, social studies, and reasoning through language arts. Emphasis is on vocabulary development, comprehension improvement, and critical thinking. Math reasoning focuses on math computation and math problem solving skills.

In Arkansas, anyone who is 16 years or older, not enrolled in or graduated from high school, and who meets the state eligibility requirements, can earn an Arkansas High School Diploma by passing the GED^®assessment. The GED^® test is a computer-based assessment that measures a student’s educational level in four subject areas: Reasoning through Language Arts (RLA), Mathematical Reasoning, Social Studies, and Science. Our centers provide free instruction designed to prepare the student for the GED^® test using managed enrollment classes, Distance Learning (where appropriate), and independent study.

Students in the GAE program may also be preparing to enroll in college, to enter the job market, or to further their careers.

Employability Skills —Our Employability programs provide training to enable adult learners to become better informed and more highly skilled for the changing world of work. Instruction provides a comprehensive grounding in the knowledge and skills learners need to succeed in the workplace.

WAGE™ is a work readiness program driven by business/industry and designed to ensure that unemployed and underemployed Arkansans have the skills necessary to be successful in the workplace.Students can improve their basic academic skills, as well as learn job skills that prepare them for entry-level jobs through the WAGE™ program.Classes are held at the Magnolia, Camden, Hampton (Virtual), and Fordyce site and offer flexible scheduling to meet the needs of adult students.
WAGE™ Certificates currently offered: Workforce Preparation, Manufacturing, Health Sciences, and Transportation and Logistics.

Students can earn short term certifications while enrolled in the program. For example, OSHA 10, and 1^st Aid/CPR. Ask your teacher how you can earn these certifications.

English as a Second Language—ESL classes provide instruction in English-language skills including speaking, writing, listening and reading for students whose first language is not English. Managed enrollment classes are designed to help students improve reading and writing skills as well as conversational English. A placement test will evaluate each student’s needs, allowing the instructor to target the areas which will be most beneficial to the student.

CAREER DEVELOPMENT-The program currently has certified Career Services Planners on staff to help students with career planning, job search, resume writing, interview skills, etc.

COLLEGE READINESS-SAU Tech Adult Education partners with Henderson State TRIO programs. A representative from the program will meet with students at either the Camden or Magnolia site to help students complete the FAFSA (PELL GRANT), enroll in post-secondary institutions, and counsel on college studies. Contact Barbara Hamilton 870-837-4001 or Denise Johnson 870-234-6064 for more information.

DISTANCE EDUCATION- SAU Tech Adult Education offers distance education classes for students who want or need to study at home; a computer and reliable internet access is required. Contact your instructor for more information.

INTERGRATED EDUCATION AND TRAINING-SAU Tech Adult Education provides adult education and training concurrently and contextually with workforce preparation activities and workforce training for a specific occupation or occupational cluster for the purpose of educational and career advancement.

The IET/Certified Nursing Assistant program is a 120-130-hour course designed to improve the basic skills of our students, provide a career pathway into the healthcare field, training to prepare for licensing as a CNA, and education to prepare for WAGE™ certifications.
IET/Pharmacy Tech and Certified Clinical Medical Assistant is an interactive guided pace course designed to prepare students to become a Pharmacy Technician or CCMA and prepare for the licensing exam. In this course, students will improve their basic skills and earn a Workforce Preparation Certificate. This is a hybrid course. (Students meet with instructor via Zoom once a week).

SNAP--The SNAP E&T program helps SNAP participants gain skills and find work that moves them toward self-sufficiency. Through SNAP E&T, SNAP participants have access to training and support services to help them enter or move up in the workforce. Certified Career planners assist students with goal setting, career exploration activities, and provide information on post-secondary education, internships, and short-term training.

Supportive Services for SNAP may include but is not limited to the following:

Tuition/short term training assistance

Transportation assistance

Supplies/equipment assistance for the training program

Assistance with certification exams

Career and educational planning

All classes are FREE! Classes are held at the following locations: Ouachita County-Uptown Center, 237 Jackson Street, Camden, AR 71701, 1.870.837.4001; Calhoun County-Virtual, physical location-TBD, Hampton, AR 71744, 1.870.837.4001; Columbia County, 104 Harvey Couch Blvd., Magnolia, AR 71753, 1.870.234.6064; and Dallas County, Fordyce Middle School, Classroom 114, Fordyce, AR 71742, 1.870.890.4280. For more information on Adult Education services and hours of operation, please call 1.870.837.4001.