Georgia has an unacceptably high secondary-school dropout rate, and many young adults who seemed to have successfully graduated from high school are under-prepared for collegiate instruction. CGTC is committed to helping students prepare for successful entry into postsecondary education using two major strategies:
• Expanding adult learning services and resources

º	increasing reading, math, and English instruction, GED preparation and testing services, and English education program instruction (ELP) for non-native English-speakers
º	enhancing adult learning resources

• Enhancing the readiness of students to enter postsecondary programs

º	assisting local high schools’ recovery projects to help “nearly finished” young adults complete requirements for a high school diploma and thereby be prepared to enter College programs
º	continuing and expanding “Stay in School” efforts, which help “at-risk” students

Georgia’s high secondary-school dropout rate contributes to a growing pool of adults without a high school education each year. These recent dropouts add to the existing pool of adults who are 25 or older who do not have a high school diploma or GED. The 2000 US Census reported that the following percentages of adults 25 or older did not have a high school diploma or GED: in Baldwin County 27.4%, in Bibb County 22.8%, in Crawford County 32.7%, in Jones County 22.1%, in Monroe County 22.3%, and in Twiggs County 36.8%. It is estimated that currently almost 75,000 adults who are 25 or older in the CGTC service area do not have a high school education and need GED services.

CGTC is committed to providing adult learning services to those individuals needing, basic, general, specialized skills instruction, and/or English Education/Civics education to better function within their community and workplace. Our aim is to provide targeted, self-paced instruction along with intensive specialized subject area classes that enable each student to improve his/her education levels successfully. CGTC strives to provide a seamless delivery of services for those students transitioning from English education into adult learning and from adult learning into postsecondary programs.

CGTC adult education services also provide counseling and advisement to enable the adult learner to overcome barriers that might impede educational attainment. In addition to academic skill preparation, CGTC endeavors to reinforce workplace values in the classroom and institute workplace curriculum that provides the adult learner with an opportunity to obtain job skills training and career options. As a leader in adult learning services, CGTC will continue to build strong relationships with community partners and lend support to community-based education efforts.

A. Expanded Adult Learning Center Services and Resources

The College will increase student participation and success in adult basic education services by providing a comprehensive integrated approach to reading, math, and English instruction, GED preparation and testing services, and English education program (ELP) classes for non-native English-speakers. The College will also work to enhance adult education resources and facilities, as needed, throughout the seven-county service delivery area.

B. Enhanced Readiness of Students to Enter Postsecondary Programs

The College will assist local high schools with high school recovery projects to help “nearly finished” young adults under the age of twenty-one to complete requirements for a high school and thereby earn a high school diploma and be prepared to enter College programs.

In collaboration with area high schools, the College will also continue and expand “Stay in School” efforts, which help “at-risk” students to become more engaged in and complete their high school education.