Before a student is accepted into a Learning Source program, they must participate in a scheduled enrollment and assessment process at the learning center at which they want to enroll. They must complete some basic paperwork and complete a skills assessment to determine if the program is a good fit for him or her. To successfully improve their basic reading, writing and math skills or prepare to pass the GED exam with the help of Learning Source volunteers and staff they must meet these basic qualifications:
r Must be an adult.*
r Must have reading, writing or math skills at, or below, the 12th grade level as determined by our pre-assessment.
r Must be able to communicate in English well enough that the instruction needed is in reading, writing and math, not in pronunciation, listening skills, or conversation skills. This is measured by the ability to communicate and understand basic information in English at enrollment and the ability to score a minimum of 222 on the CASAS assessment with an interest in studying reading, math or writing or prepare for the GED.
r Must commit to regular, weekly classes; must be able to keep the same general appointment time from week to week, and must be able to actively participate in at least 2 hours of instruction with minimal breaks.
r Must be able to meet during regularly scheduled class times at one of The Learning Source service-delivery locations and to get to that location without guidance after the first appointment.
r Must have a minimum level of maturity and independence as demonstrated by the ability to communicate directly with the tutor and the Learning Source staff without another person acting as intermediary, coach or translator (self-provided sign language interpreter excepted). This includes the ability to give basic information over the phone and/or during the enrollment process including name, address, phone number, personal literacy goals, schedule of availability, meeting location preference, and other basic information relevant to education.
r Must be able to take the approved assessment at the learning center within the publisher-approved accommodation. Must be able to take the assessment independently and within the time allowed.
r Must demonstrate that enrolling in The Learning Source is the potential student’s goal, not someone else’s goal for him/her by participating in the enrollment process alone.
r Must be able to see well enough to differentiate characters on a printed page and to differentiate characters in handwriting (with reasonably available assistive technology such as magnifying screens or large print, if needed) OR be able to use a keyboard well enough to find and strike specified keys.
r Must be able to hold and control a writing instrument well enough, given available assistive devices if needed, to print letters OR be able to use a keyboard well enough to find and strike specified keys.
r Must arrive at classes ready to learn – that is, not under sedation or under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs. r Must be prepared to work with one or more volunteer tutors in small group settings that will include other adult learners.
r Must be a dedicated learner as demonstrated by being on time to classes, by attending regularly, by notifying the lead teacher in a timely fashion if unable to attend class, and by treating the staff and tutors with respect.
r After enrolling, students must demonstrate one year’s growth in either reading or math, as determined by the appropriate post-test at the end of each year of study to re-enroll.
The Learning Source trains teachers and volunteers in how to increase reading, writing and math skills to prepare students for the GED examination, increase their basic skill level, and/or prepare for college entrance exams. Instruction is primarily academic but relates academic skills to functional life-skills. This takes place at designated locations and times with volunteers working under the guidance and supervision of a paid instructor. Instruction is individualized and self-paced but the size of student learning groups depends upon the number and abilities of the volunteers at that particular center. Staff and volunteers are not trained to provide specialized services to meet the needs of students with severe learning disabilities.
*An adult, for The Learning Source purposes, is a person who is at least 17 years of age who is no longer enrolled in school.
Partner agencies may have different enrollment guidelines that are available at those sites.
