News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
TC 06.30.15
July 15, 2015
Local Adult Educators Announce Pilot Projects
to Support Adult Education in Western Kern County
In 2013, Assembly Bill 86 appropriated $25 million to distribute to regional consortia to develop plans to strengthen adult
education programs within California. Locally, a West Kern Consortium was established and is jointly led by Maricopa
Unified School District, Taft Union High School District, and the West Kern Community College District (Taft College).
The Consortium along with its partners have submitted a plan to the state of California which addresses the adult
education needs in western Kern County, with a particular focus on English as a Second Language, literacy, vocational
training, citizenship preparation and basic skills needed for academic and career success.
“I am so excited the Consortium is able to offer varied learning opportunities for the adults in our community,” states Dr.
Blanca Cavazos, Superintendent of the Taft Union High School District. “The projects funded by the grant provide new
learning experiences while also supporting and expanding existing programs. Best of all, many of these sessions are free
to the participants.”
Earlier this year, the state determined that planning grant funds can be used to test pilot projects. The West Kern
consortium solicited project ideas and have selected six local projects which will be implemented in the next six months.
The projects include:
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Offering a Small Business Basics Academy to small business owners in western Kern County through a
partnership with the Kern County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
Increasing the number of high school equivalence classes at Taft College and establishing an Adult Education
Outreach office to encourage participation in the AB86 pilot services
Offering short term vocational training in culinary arts and workplace success skills in the Maricopa area through
the Westside Regional Occupational Program
Offering assessment and training in workplace competency skills training through the Career Center at Taft
College
Offering a four-day, fast-track program for adults wishing to improve their English placement scores on Taft
College placement exams
Providing outside expertise to those who have prepared for the U.S. citizenship test but do not know the next
step in attaining citizenship.
“The AB86 Planning Grant process provided a structure to gather input regarding our community’s needs for adult
education and build a plan that will better support our community”, states Dr. Dena Maloney, Superintendent/President
of Taft College. “The pilot projects selected by the consortium will allow us to test different approaches to the needs of
adult learners in western Kern County.”
To learn more about the pilot projects and for further information, please contact Joe’ll Chaidez, AB86 Project Director
at Taft College. Joe’ll can be reached at 661. 763.7962 or via email at jchaidez@taftcollege.edu. More information on
the AB86 project and the West Kern AB86 Consortium is available at www.westkernab86.com.
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