College of the Redwoods
Narrative for New or Substantial Change to Noncredit Certificate
Certificate or Diploma: Certificate of Competency
Program Title: High School Equivalency Preparation
Item 1. Program Goals and Objectives
This noncredit Certificate of Competency will provide basic skills instruction for community members who need
help preparing to take a high school equivalency test. It will meet the life-long learning needs of our community by
providing a structured academic pathway for those who need additional preparation and instruction to be
successful.
Students will be assessed on their ability to:
1. Identify and apply concepts learned in the core subjects at the secondary level to prepare students for the high
school equivalency test.
Item 2. Catalog Description
A noncredit Certificate of Competency for students who want to build skills in the core academic subjects to
prepare for a high school equivalency test. This sequence of two courses will provide students with a review of the
content at the elementary and secondary level. Content is individualized and based on need.
Item 3. Program Requirements
Requirements
Dept #/Name
Required Core
EDUC 210
EDUC 225
Required Core Total Hours: 75-165
TOTAL HOURS: 75-165
Name
Adult Basic Education
High School
Equivalency/GED
Preparation
Hours
0-90
75
Proposed Sequence:
Fall: EDUC 210
Spring: EDUC 225
Students may enroll directly in EDUC 225 if a placement test or instructor recommendation indicates proficiency at
the level required for EDUC 210.
Item 4. Master Planning
The mission of College of the Redwoods is to be a learning community where lives are transformed. Within the
college's service area, there is a need to provide pathways for those who do not fit into the traditional academic
paradigm. This noncredit certificate will provide one such pathway allowing nontraditional students to document
their progress and further their academic and vocational goals. According to the California Department of
Education, for the class of 2012-2013, 11.7% of students in Humboldt county dropped out of high school.
Furthermore, the 5-year average for the years 2009-2013 shows that 27.5% of Humboldt county residents have
not finished high school (Census Bureau's American Community Survey). There are multiple economic
consequences for this segment of the population, the most striking being a significant reduction in earnings for
those who do not finish their high school education. The Bureau of Labor Statistics finds that in the fourth quarter
of 2014, full-time workers age 25 and over without a high school diploma had median weekly earnings of $491
compared with high school graduates with no college education who earned $664. In addition, these residents
would not be eligible for financial aid if they were to decide to return to school to follow a career path. The lack of
a high school diploma is a huge barrier to success for this population in the college's service area because it
prevents them from enrolling in credit-bearing courses at the college. Therefore, it is crucial that they are able to
move through a structured academic pathway to get basic skills instruction and prepare them for both high school
equivalency tests and future college courses. By completing and marking their progress with this certificate,
Narrative for New or Substantial Change to New Noncredit Certificate
College of the Redwoods
students will have a higher chance of persisting in their efforts and establish habits that will help them complete
their studies and meet vocational and academic goals. In this way, the college will be contributing to the economic
vitality of the community by providing a clear path to better financial opportunities and new careers for those who
are currently working in low-earning jobs with few opportunities for advancement.
Narrative for New or Substantial Change to New Noncredit Certificate