Gonzales also pointed out that 87 percent of the graduates from the myriad of CAC programs have moved on to enroll in post-secondary programs.
CAC’s ABE success comes at a time when the need for such education is as important as ever.
“While 30 percent of Arizona high school students don’t graduate from high school, 85 percent of quality jobs out there require at least some form of post-secondary education,” Gonzales said.
These three programs combine to form CAC’s adult education. Classes are held in eight-week sessions and students can progress at their own pace. In addition, assessment tests are given during the first week of class to determine students’ strengths and weaknesses.
In 2011-12, CAC saw its ABE and GED enrollment increase by six percent to 1,043 students. Meanwhile, the ELL program boasted a 16 percent jump in the past year. While those numbers are impressive, CAC’s true contribution to the community as it relates to its ADE programs lies in its goal attainment numbers.
While 69 percent of all ADE students across the state of Arizona achieved employment, 73 percent of all such students at CAC earned jobs. Also, 80 percent of CAC’s ADE students earned GEDs while the statewide percentage was 76 percent.
“In these areas, you can see that we’ve done very well.” Gonzales said. “Our program is a model for all other institutions in the state.”
But perhaps the most telling statistic of all was that of CAC’s 138 GED recipients, 128 of them (roughly 92 percent) enrolled in degree or certificate-seeking programs at CAC.
“It says a lot about the level of preparation we are providing as well as the work our student affairs staff does of encouraging GED students to continue their education.”
Gonzales also concludes that the trend of GED graduates enrolling at CAC can be traced to the fact that those students can receive a one- or two-semester scholarship, or even a two-year tuition waiver, to attend CAC.
For more information about CAC’s adult education program, contact Ronny Douglass at 520-494-5960 or by e-mail at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
