Huntington Studies AHSEP Stats
The New York State Education Department authorized the Huntington School District to offer the alternative high school equivalency program for the first time last year. Officials are studying how the seven students that participated in the initiative fared.
"The program's goal is to offer over-aged English language learners (ages 18-21) at-risk of not graduating, the opportunity to attain a GED (general equivalency degree) diploma by teaching them English and preparing them for the exam," said Carmen Kasper, district director of foreign language, ESL and bilingual programs.
The alternative program offers participants intensive English as a second language and content area instruction. "Students are taught English through ELA (English language arts) and subject area courses," Ms. Kasper said.
The 2011/12 program involved two 20-year old students, three 19-year old teenagers, an 18 year old and a 17 year old. Two of the 19-year old participants dropped out of the program.
Several students in last year's program had only recently arrived in this country and displayed a complete absence of English skills. "Most students had very low literacy skills in their native language; as such, they will take longer to be eligible to take the GED test," Ms. Kasper said. "To be eligible, they must score at the ninth grade level on the Test of Adult Basic Education."
A short report on the program was sent to Huntington School Board members late last summer to keep trustees abreast of the program and to inform them about how its first year went.
"AHSEP offers a blended learning program, which includes reading, writing, math, social studies and science, delivered through direct instruction and the use of technology," Ms. Kasper said. "It uses two computer programs, Open Book and Odysseyware that offer instruction in English as a second language and the content area, respectively. The students receive pre and post tests using the TABE as a model."