MWSE Adult Education in partnership with Hillsdale Community Schools

Participant Handbook

Adult Education Teachers

Tamara Hindes Barbara Seitz

(517) 207-3295 (517) 841-5627

thindes@mwse.org bseitz@mwse.org

Adult Education Facilitator

Deborah Benn

(517) 260-0118

dbenn@mwse.org

Adult Education Lead Teacher

Catherine Ellis

(517) 905-4273

cellis@mwse.org

Acting Adult Education Program Supervisor

Lead Teacher

Vincent D’Ettorre

(517) 789-5222

vdettorre@mwse.org

Adult Education Program Director

Pam Gosla

(517) 206-9442

pgosla@mwse.org

Michigan Works! Southeast

Hillsdale Service Center

21 Care Drive

Hillsdale, MI 49242

(517)437-3381

Michigan Works! Southeast

Jackson Service Center

209 E. Washington Ave.—Suite 100

Jackson, MI 49201

(517) 841-5627

Michigan Works! Southeast

Lenawee Service Center

1040 S. Winter Street—Suite 1014

Adrian, MI 49221

(517) 266-5627

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Contents

Contents ........................................................................................................................................................... 2

Welcome to MWSE Adult Education (MWSE AE) ........................................................................................... 3

Mission ................................................................................................................................................................................ 3

Equal Opportunity & Non-Discrimination Statement ......................................................................................................... 3

Eligibility ........................................................................................................................................................... 3

Enrollment ........................................................................................................................................................ 3

Adult Education Program Offerings ............................................................................................................... 4

Overview ............................................................................................................................................................................. 4

High School Equivalency Preparation (GED®) .............................................................................................. 4

GED® Subject Area Tests ...................................................................................................................................................... 5

GED® Website ...................................................................................................................................................................... 5

GED® Ready Practice Tests .................................................................................................................................................. 5

GED® Testing ........................................................................................................................................................................ 5

GED® Funding Assistance ..................................................................................................................................................... 6

HSE-to-School Program ....................................................................................................................................................... 6

High School Completion ................................................................................................................................. 6

Classes & Grades ................................................................................................................................................................. 7

Certificates, Diplomas, & Graduation ............................................................................................................ 7

Literacy & Math Skills....................................................................................................................................... 7

English as a Second Language ...................................................................................................................... 8

Connect to Supportive Services ..................................................................................................................... 8

MWSE Adult Education Policies ...................................................................................................................... 9

Schedule & Cancellations .................................................................................................................................................... 9

Attendance Policy ............................................................................................................................................................. 10

Classroom Policies ............................................................................................................................................................. 10

Online Learning Policies .................................................................................................................................................... 11

Communication ................................................................................................................................................................. 11

Follow-Up Notice .............................................................................................................................................................. 11

Participant Agreement ...................................................................................................................................................... 12

COVID-19 Response .......................................................................................................................................................... 12

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Welcome to MWSE Adult Education (MWSE AE)

Mission

MWSE AE provides valuable educational opportunities, challenging all participants to achieve their

full academic, career, and employability potential.

Equal Opportunity & Non-Discrimination Statement

It is the policy of MWSE AE to provide an equal education opportunity for all students. Any person

who believes that s/he has been discriminated against on the basis of his/her race, color, disability,

religion, gender, or national origin, while in class or interacting with a staff member, should

immediately contact the Program Director listed below.

Adult Education Program Director

Pam Gosla

(517) 206-9442

Eligibility

To be eligible for our Adult Education Programs, individuals must meet a minimum age requirement

at the time of enrollment. Participants under 18 years of age and those who turn 18 after June 30,

2021 must provide proof that they are separated from their last K12 school district before proceeding

with our program. Instructors will provide the appropriate form. For participants under 18, additional

requirements may apply to take GED® or US Citizenship tests. See chart below.

17+ Years Old 20+ Years Old

High School Equivalency (GED®) High School Completion (Diploma)

Literacy & Math Skills

English as a Second Language

Individuals must also reside in Hillsdale, Lenawee, or Jackson counties and lack a high school diploma

or equivalent, or need to improve basic literacy, math, or English Language skills as determined by a

state approved academic assessment. Participants remain eligible to participate in programming

until they fail to show progress/improvement on two consecutive assessments.

Enrollment

All participants are required to read this Participant Handbook, complete the online Adult Learning

Plan Enrollment Form, complete our online MWSE AE Enrollment Form & Participant Agreement, and

verify their identity with a photo ID each program year. * All participants are also required to attend

orientation and complete an academic placement test. MWSE AE uses the Tests of Adult Basic

Education (TABE) and the TABE Complete Language Assessment System – English (TABE CLAS-e) to

measure basic skill levels. In addition, participants are required to complete the Career Situation

Survey. If a participant is unable to complete the enrollment forms online on their own, an instructor

will be able to assist them.

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The results of the TABE placement test and the Career Situation Survey are used to help staff

determine each participant’s strengths, weaknesses, and appropriate goals. MWSE AE Staff works

with each participant to create a comprehensive, completely individualized, and self-paced

learning plan which addresses both academic and career goals.

*MWSE AE is a state and federally funded organization and therefore required to track certain information. All information disclosed to

MWSE AE will be kept confidential and used solely for the purposes of the programs, participant records, and overall effectiveness ratings.

Adult Education Program Offerings

Overview

MWSE AE offers a variety of academic programs by partnering Michigan Works! Southeast with

Hillsdale Community Schools. Programs available include:

• High School Equivalency Preparation (GED®)

• High School Completion (Diploma)

• Literacy & Math Skills

• English as a Second Language (including Civics & Citizenship)

All programs are free of charge for participants who meet eligibility criteria.

All programs are designed to help participants prepare to enter the workforce and reinforce basic

employability skills, such as punctuality, accountability, and communication.

Programs utilize a blended model of instruction which includes in-person and online, outside of class,

learning opportunities but do have the flexibility to shift from this model to an entirely remote,

distance learning model if needed.

Program instruction is delivered using various resources, including but not limited to: Odysseyware

online courseware, Burlington English online software, Essential Education online software, workbooks,

pencil/paper practice, and other approved websites.

Upon reaching 30-40 hours of instructional time with MWSE AE, participants are required to re-take the

TABE assessment as a posttest which is used to measure academic gains and adjust educational

plans accordingly.

High School Equivalency Preparation (GED®)

Participants with demonstrated knowledge who wish to pursue their High School Equivalency

certificate* are placed into this program. MWSE AE provides a comprehensive GED® Preparation

course which is directly aligned with the GED® test and incorporates a variety of resources.

*The GED® is 1 of 2 High School Equivalency exams now recognized in the state of Michigan. The High School Equivalency program at

MWSE AE is focused on preparing for the GED® test but can be equipped to assist with the HiSET® test as more information becomes

available.

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GED® Subject Area Tests

A passing score of 145 must be earned in each of the 4 subject area tests listed below to earn a

GED® high school equivalency diploma from the State of Michigan. MWSE AE generally suggests

focusing on preparation for one subject area of the test at a time.

• Reasoning through Language Arts (RLA)

• Mathematical Reasoning

• Science

• Social Studies

GED® Website

All GED® participants must create an account on the GED® website (www.ged.com) using a current

email address.* The GED® website must be used to schedule and pay for tests, as well as to check

scores and monitor progress towards completion. MWSE AE requires participants to select Michigan

Works! Southeast as their Adult Education Provider on the GED® website for us to assign GED® Ready

Practice tests and monitor progress.

*When creating a GED® account, it is important to use an active email address and to remember the password.

GED® Ready Practice Tests

Participants are highly encouraged to take official GED® Ready practice tests to gauge their

readiness for the official subject area tests. MWSE AE may provide free practice tests ($6 value each)

to participants who have met certain criteria. *

Upon completion of a GED® Ready practice test, test takers are provided with a score that can be

used to predict their performance on the official test. They are also given a detailed score report

which explains areas in need of improvement. If the GED® Ready test indicates that an individual is

“likely to pass” the subject area official test, MWSE AE staff will assist in scheduling and discuss funding

options with participants. If the GED® Ready test indicates that the individual is not yet ready to take

the official subject area test, MWSE AE staff will use the score report to adjust the individual’s learning

plan.

*The ability of MWSE AE to provide practice tests to participants is subject to availability and may change at any time. Participants must

demonstrate proficiency in subjects to be eligible to receive free practice tests.

GED® Testing

MWSE AE only assists with GED® preparation but does NOT administer the official GED® tests. MWSE AE

will assist individuals with locating official GED® testing sites and scheduling appointments. There are

several official testing sites in the region.

Remote, online-proctored (OP) GED® testing is also available. Click HERE to learn more.

Official GED® Testing Sites

Baker College, Jackson, MI Eastern Michigan University, Ypsilanti, MI

Bedford Adult Education, Temperance, MI Jackson Area Career Center, Jackson, MI

Davenport University, Lansing, MI Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI

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GED® Funding Assistance

MWSE AE does not pay for participants to take the GED® test, but funding assistance options may be

available through our partnerships. We work with other programs through Michigan Works! Southeast

that may provide supportive services to participants who meet eligibility requirements. MWSE AE also

partners with the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity - Workforce

Development (LEO-WD) to offer the HSE-to-School Program.

HSE-to-School Program

Most Michigan residents are eligible to participate in the HSE-to-School Program through the

Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity - Workforce Development (LEO-WD). The

purpose of the program is to encourage Michigan residents to pursue their High School Equivalency

(HSE) and transition to a postsecondary education institution for academic or career focused

programs. The HSE-to-School Program covers the cost of one attempt at each of the different HSE

content area tests for Michigan residents who meet eligibility criteria. Click here to visit the LEO-WD

website for more details.

High School Completion

MWSE AE Partners with Hillsdale Community Schools (HCS) to offer High School Completion (diploma)

programming. To earn their high school diploma, participants must be 20 or older, score a minimum

level on the TABE test, and successfully complete HCS credit requirements. Transcripts are required

from the last school of record and are evaluated to determine which credits are needed to meet

these requirements. The number of credits that a participant needs to earn a diploma is dependent

on the participant's original, projected date of graduation. See chart below for details.

Original Projected Date of Graduation

Before 2011 After 2011*

English 4 English 8

Science 2 Science 6

Math 2 Math 8

U.S. History 2 Social Studies 6

Government 1 PE/Health 2

Economics 1 Visual, Applied, Performing Arts 2

Health 1 Foreign Language 2

Computers 2 Online Class 2

Electives 9 Additional Electives 0

Total Credits Required 24 Total Credits Required 36

*The Michigan Merit Curriculum, which became effective starting with the graduating class of 2011, changed the credit requirement

criteria to become eligible to earn a high school diploma.

Participants who have already completed all the above credits are required to complete two

additional credits to become eligible to receive their diploma. Diplomas are conferred by Hillsdale

Community Schools at our graduation each spring.

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Classes & Grades

MWSE AE generally suggests high school completion participants focus on one credit at a time.

Participants may work on courses outside of class, but all unit tests and exams must be completed in

person. *

*Remote, online-proctored test and exam appointments may be available for very limited situations and will be determined on a case-by-

case basis.

Certificates, Diplomas, & Graduation

MWSE Adult Education recognizes the time, effort, and hard work that goes into earning a high

school diploma or GED® diploma. GED® graduates can receive their diploma from the State of

Michigan through a third-party website (www.diplomasender.com) at any time after they have

passed their final test. In addition, during the month of June, GED® graduates will receive a

Certificate of Recognition from Hillsdale Community Schools for participating in the MWSE Adult

Education Program.

Participants who finish the requirements for their High School Diploma by the last day of class

designated for 2022 diploma graduates will receive a signed transcript and diploma from Hillsdale

Community Schools in June of that school year. If a student completes the requirements before the

signed transcript and diploma are available and needs a letter for an employer, training program,

post-secondary institution, or other organization, a letter of Confirmation of High School Diploma can

be written for the participant.

MWSE Adult Education will usually host a graduation ceremony or celebration event in June if the

health and safety of the participants and community members will not be compromised by hosting

such an event.

Literacy & Math Skills

Participants who need to improve their basic reading and math skills before continuing with High

School Diploma or GED® materials, or who already have a diploma or equivalent but need to

improve their skills to advance in their education or career, are placed into the Literacy & Math Skills

program. TABE results will be utilized to create an individualized learning plan for each participant

with the goal of improving literacy and math skills.

Grading Scale

A = 100-93% A- = 92-90% Excellent achievement

B+ = 89-87 B = 86-83% B- = 82-80% Good achievement

C+ = 79-77 C = 76-73% C- = 72-70% Satisfactory achievement

D+ = 69-67 D = 66-63% D- = 62-60% Minimum – acceptable achievement

F = 59% and below Failure

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English as a Second Language

Participants seeking to improve their English language skills or to prepare for the U.S. Citizenship test

will be placed in the English as a Second Language (ESL) program. MWSE AE accepts all English

Language Learners, from beginner to advanced proficient levels. TABE CLAS-e results will be utilized

to create an individualized learning plan for each participant with the goal of improving English

reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills.

In addition, MWSE AE imbeds civics and citizenship content into our ESL courses to help individuals

seeking to prepare for the naturalization test and to become a U.S. citizen.

Connect to Supportive Services

MWSE AE partners with Michigan Works! Southeast, among other agencies, to offer wrap-around

services. Individuals may be eligible for additional supportive services to help remove the barriers

preventing successful completion of educational or career goals.

Partner Services Available*

Michigan Works! Southeast

Youth Services (Ages 16-24)

• Assistance with HSE (GED®) completion

• Career exploration

• Leadership development

• Skills training for employment

• Interview skills & resume building

• Job preparation assistance

• Paid work experience

• Other supportive services

Michigan Works! Southeast

Job Seeker Services (Ages 18+)

• Assistance with HSE (GED®) completion

• Veteran “Priority of Service”

• Career advising

• Professional workshops

• Career training

• Employment referrals

• Other supportive services

College & Career Access Center

• Free college and career guidance

• Financial aid and scholarship application assistance

• College application and admissions advising

LISD TECH Center

Adult Learning Services

• Career-specific training (certification)

• Possible dual-enrollment

• Tuition assistance may be available

Jackson College

• Career-specific training (certification)

• College degrees

• Possible dual-enrollment

• Tuition assistance may be available

• JC representatives attend MWSE AE classes each month

to serve as a connection for students

Jackson District Library

• Free workshops

• Community events

• Family literacy and adult enrichment activities *Services available may be based on eligibility requirements. “Other supportive services” may include assistance with: transportation,

tuition, childcare, and other work related costs.

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Additional Information

Click here to complete a referral form to get more information about these supportive services.

MWSE AE will share this referral with our partner(s) so they can follow-up with the participant.

MWSE Adult Education Policies

Schedule & Cancellations

Program Year Schedule

The MWSE AE program year schedule follows the same school year schedule as Hillsdale Community

Schools with a few exceptions. In-person classes are also closed in observance of federal holidays.

2021-2022 Program Year Schedule

July 19th In-Person Summer Classes

Begin

January 17th No Class

Martin Luther King Jr. Day

August 27th Last Day of Summer Classes February 21st No Class

President’s Day

September 6th No Class

Labor Day

April 4th – 8th No Class

Spring Break

September 7th Classes Begin May 30th No Class

Memorial Day

November 11th No Class

Veteran’s Day

June 3rd Last Day of Class for 2022

diploma graduates

November 22nd – 26th No Class

Thanksgiving Holiday

June 10th Last Day of Class before

summer break

December 20th – 31st No Class

Winter Break

June 19th Proposed Graduation

*2022 Summer Class schedule to be determined.

In-Person Class & Virtual Office Hours Schedule

MWSE AE offers blended instruction, which means that participants are encouraged to attend in-

person classes while also working on their coursework online, outside of class. MWSE AE offers in-

person classes, virtual office hours, and the option for participants to work remotely and

independently.

Some MWSE AE staff may offer virtual office hours. During this time, staff will be available to assist

individuals working online at home who are unable to attend in-person class. Virtual office hours

could, for example, consist of a phone call check-in or a Zoom tutoring session. Participants can sign

up for a virtual office hours appointment by contacting their instructor. All virtual office hours

appointments will be on a first come, first serve basis.

When in-person classes or virtual office hours are not available, participants may still access most of

their coursework online, outside of class, but must understand that MWSE AE staff may not be

available to provide immediate assistance.

• All in-person class schedules are available in our classrooms and on our website here.

• Please note that classes operate on a typical schedule, but availability is subject to change.

• MWSE AE staff are only guaranteed available during scheduled in-person classes or virtual

office hours.

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Cancellations

All cancellations are posted in advance if possible; however, due to illness, inclement weather, or

emergencies, in-person classes may be cancelled unexpectedly. In the case of inclement weather,

MWSE AE will choose whether or not to cancel classes based upon the decisions made by local

school districts. If local schools cancel class, MWSE AE will also cancel in-person class. Depending on

the circumstances of the in-person cancellation, MWSE AE staff may or may not be available for

virtual office hours during this time. These decisions will be made on a case-by-case basis and will be

communicated to participants.

Attendance Policy

Participant Attendance

Participant attendance includes in-class and online, outside of class, participation. Attendance is

reported to the state on a monthly basis and does impact program funding, so participants must sign

in/out during each class or study session.

MWSE AE is strict when it comes to tracking attendance; however, we are flexible with our

participants’ schedules. We understand that adults have many responsibilities to balance and we

want to work around potential barriers. It is highly encouraged that participants attend class in

person and study online as much as possible. MWSE AE suggests that participants plan to spend

roughly 5 hours per week on their studies. Participants that meet their educational goals are those

who dedicate the necessary time and effort.

Enrollment Verification

Enrolled participants must log at least 12 hours of verified instructional time with MWSE AE before

becoming eligible to receive verification of enrollment. Requests for such documentation must be

made at least one week in advance.

Classroom Policies

Computer Usage

Computer usage in the classrooms is strictly reserved for educational and career purposes only.

Participants must conduct themselves in a reasonable, efficient, ethical, and legal manner.

Cell Phones

Cell phone use is permitted in the classroom solely for educational purposes. All other cell phone

uses are prohibited. Cell phone volume should be set to silent, and all calls must be taken outside of

the classroom. If cell phone usage is disruptive to others or distracting, the person in question will be

asked to leave class and return when they are finished.

Children/Guests

Please refrain from bringing children/guests to class. MWSE AE acknowledges that childcare and

transportation issues can cause conflicts with scheduling. However, classroom distractions must be

kept to a minimum so all participants have an opportunity to be successful.

Food/Drinks

Food is not permitted in the computer lab. Drinks are permissible if they are in sealed containers and

kept away from the computers.

Substance Use

MWSE AE is committed to providing a safe and productive learning environment. In keeping with this

commitment, substance use of any kind is strictly prohibited on the premises with the exception of

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tobacco use in designated smoking areas. Participants may not attend class under the influence of

drugs and/or alcohol.

Online Learning Policies

Access to Courses Online, Outside of Class

All participants can access their classes online, outside of class by visiting our website here. Links to

each of our courseware systems can be found on our homepage. Participants may access their

courseware at any time on any day of the week.

However, it is important to understand that we have limited, shared licenses for our learning software.

This means that only a certain number of participants can access their work at the same time. During

scheduled in-person classes, individuals working in-person will have priority when logging in to the

systems. We request that participants working online, outside of class try to work around these

scheduled times. If all licenses of our software are occupied, participants will receive a log-in error.

When this happens, the participant should try again at a later time.

Monitoring Online Courses

MWSE AE will regularly monitor all use of our software systems outside of class. The time that

participants are actively logged into their courses will be reported as distance learning attendance.

In addition, participants are required to periodically check-in with their instructor by either attending

class in-person or setting up a virtual office hours appointment.

Academic Integrity

MWSE AE believes in academic and individual integrity. With the ability to work online, outside of

class comes an added responsibility to ensure work is completed with honesty and integrity. MWSE

AE will not tolerate academic dishonesty of any sort and reserves the right to suspend or revoke

distance learning options for any individual who does not choose to follow these expectations.

Communication

MWSE AE believes strongly that good two-way communication with participants is crucial to

providing the best educational experience. We use phone calls, emails, and text messages to stay

connected with participants. In addition, we may also use Zoom, Facebook, Facebook Messenger,

and other tools to stay in touch.

All participants will automatically be added to our contact list for the various communication tools

mentioned above. If you do not wish to be contacted in any of the above ways, please contact an

MWSE AE staff member.

Follow-Up Notice

MWSE AE is required to follow up with you for up to 2 years after you leave our program, regardless of

if you have completed or not. Follow-up will consist of questions pertaining to your education and

employment status and general feedback about your experience with our program. Answering

these questions will only take a few minutes but it is very important to us. MWSE AE appreciates your

help with this process!

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Participant Agreement

All participants are required to sign the Participant Agreement. This is a digital form on which

participants agree to the terms and conditions of participation set by MWSE AE. Participants must

acknowledge that they have read this handbook and understand that they will be held responsible

to adhere to the outlined policies. In addition, all participants are also required to agree to the terms

and conditions of participation set by the State of Michigan Office of Adult Education.

COVID-19 Response

In response to the COVID-19 public health crisis, MWSE AE has implemented our Return to Class Plan

which focuses primarily on the health and well-being of our staff and participants. This plan describes

the steps we will take to return to in-person classes safely, minimizing exposure and preventing

infections. Details of the plan are highlighted and will remain in effect until announced otherwise.

MWSE AE has designed all programs with the flexibility to shift to entirely online, outside of class

learning if needed.

COVID-19 Response What to Expect *

Partner Policies & Procedures

MWSE AE participants will adhere to

all policies and procedures

established by partner organizations

that host our classes.

May include…

• General health screening prior to entry

• Temperature checks prior to entry

• Facemasks or face coverings

Physical Distancing

MWSE AE will take the additional

actions to maintain physical

distancing and limit shared surfaces.

• Common waiting areas may be closed

• Participants will be encouraged to wait outside or in

their vehicles prior to class

• Participants may not be able to arrive early or stay late

• Classroom configurations will be arranged with 6 feet

between workstations

• Participants must remain at their individual workstation

as much as possible

• Participants will be encouraged to bring their own

classroom supplies

Clear Communication

MWSE AE is committed to continuous

and clear communication about

information, policies, and procedures

regarding COVID-19.

• All policies and procedures will be communicated

verbally and in writing

• Classrooms will have markers on the floor or other visual

reminders of physical distancing

• Increased regular and emergency communications

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Sanitation Measures

MWSE AE will take additional actions

to ensure safe and sanitary use of

shared surfaces and supplies.

• Use hand sanitizer when entering and leaving the

classroom

• Workstations and shared supplies will be sanitized

before, during, and after class

• Sanitized and open workstations will be clearly labeled

• Disinfectant wipes, hand sanitizer, tissue, and other

sanitary items will be available in the classroom

Classroom Flexibilities

MWSE AE will be flexible and

accommodating as we continue to

deal with this situation.

• Participants will be required to stay home when sick or

caring for other infected individuals

• Participants who appear ill will be asked to leave class

• Participants will have continued access to courses

remotely

COVID-19 Education & Basic

Infection Prevention

MWSE AE believes it is important to

give participants the tools needed to

understand infectious diseases and

basic infection prevention measures.

• Staff will teach about and promote good hygiene,

frequent hand washing, and respiratory etiquette

*This list is not all inclusive.