Going back to school—whether for a GED, college or to learn English as a second language (ESL)—requires a serious commitment. For most people, however, the short-term sacrifices needed to increase their education level will be repaid handsomely with the long-term benefits of better jobs, better pay and a higher quality of life. According to a study by Brown University and the National Bureau of Economic Research, after a few years, individuals who attained a GED earned between 10 and 20 percent more than those who opted against gaining their high school equivalency. In order for people to reap these rewards, however, they must take part in a successful adult education program. Major factors in successful adult education initiatives include a solid program structure and qualified teachers.
Resident services coordinators can play a vital role in helping residents locate and enroll in appropriate quality adult education and ESL programs. In order to do so, they must first understand their residents’ educational goals and the attributes of quality adult education programs.
The Adult Education and ESL section of this manual provides several resources on adult education and ESL training aimed at helping resident services coordinators communicate the benefits of adult education and ESL courses to their residents, locate area programs and evaluate these programs based on their residents’ goals.
1. Facts on Adult Education and English as a Second Language (ESL) Courses: This document provides several facts about adult education and ESL course participants and programs. Moreover, it has a list of additional resources residents or service managers can access to increase their understanding and evaluation of such programs.
3. What is the GED and Why is it Helpful?: Both residents and resident service coordinators will find this document, which describes the process of attaining a GED certificate, useful and informative. In addition to information about the GED, it provides links to outside resources for preparing to take the GED test.
5. The Long- and Short-Term Benefits of Education: This document includes a series of tables that outline the typical earnings for several occupations, as well as earning differences based on occupation type and education level.
6. Resources for English as a Second Language (ESL) Programs: This document contains information on more than 50 ESL resources available online or through direct ordering. It covers such topics as curriculum, instruction, recruitment and assessment.
