State P-16 Council Meeting
Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB)
Adult Basic Education Innovation Grants (ABE-IG) Program
HOUSTON COMMUNITY COLLEGE
GED TRANSITION TO TRAINING (GT3)
AN ABE-IG PROGRAM FUNDED BY THECB
LaShondia McNeal, Ed.D.
Program Director for Research, Evaluation & Professional Development
HCC’S GED TRANSITION TO TRAINING PROGRAM
AN ADULT BASIC EDUCATION INNOVATION GRANT FUNDED BY THECB
Program
Components:
Program
Requirements:
Programs Offered:
ABE/ASE classes
ESL classes
Skills training
Career
Counseling
• Job Placement
Assistance
• Enrollment in
HCC’s Adult
Education
program
• Specific college
and career
ambitions
• Computer Support
Specialist
• Health Information
Specialist
• Heating,
Ventilation and Air
Conditioning
• Welding
•
•
•
•
SINCE THE LAUNCH OF THE PROGRAM IN OCTOBER 2010,
GT3 HAS SERVED 155 STUDENTS:
Certification Area
Enrollment
Class/course Completion
Certification Status
Computer Support Specialist
55
Enrolled
31
Completers
5 A+ tested (Part I)
Computer Support Technicians
11
Enrolled
10
Projected Completers
Network + (02/2012)
Health Information Specialist
68
Enrolled
50
HIS Completers
47 tested, 46 CBCS
6
Enrolled
4
EPA completers
1 certified Parts I-II
7
Enrolled
6
Projected Completers
Completion May 2012
Welder Helper
5
Enrolled
5
Projected Completers
Completion Aug. 2012
GED Completers-College Entry
3
Enrolled
3
6-12 SCH courses
*Associates or Higher
HVAC 13 total enrolled
CEU Fast-Track Spring 2011
SCH- Accelerated Fall 2011
2010-11 Totals
155
109
*GED students seeking college level course placement in HCC degree (AA, AS, AAS) or transfer credit.
GT3’S RECRUITMENT-ASSESSMENT- ADVISING- EMPLOYMENT
Recruitment
Assessment
• Class Presentations to students currently enrolled in Houston
Community College ABE/ASE and ESL classes
• Group Presentations to students enrolled in Community Based
Organization(CBO)’s Adult Education classes.
• Advertisement on the HCC website
• Individual Presentations for ABE/ASE and ESL students
expressing interest in program
• Referrals from other local programs (flyers, e-mails etc..)
• Education Levels: (according to NRS Functioning Levels, High
Intermediate Basic Education and High Intermediate ESL)
• Assessments: TABE, BEST Plus and BEST Literacy
• Assessment for College Readiness: COMPASS
Case management advising/Support Services
Job placement/employment follow up (or continuing education)
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Partnership with Houston Community College Career Center
Career Counseling/Training Readiness
15 hour “Student Success Work Readiness” workshop. Designed to
foster change and growth in maximizing a students’ potential in
college and the workplace.
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Developing partnership with local business to utilize as a referral and
placement service for students who complete the program.
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Spring 2012 Job Fair for students currently in the program
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Skills Training Classes
Tutoring
Childcare
Disability Services
Community Service Referrals
(transportation, housing/rental, utilities assistance,
healthcare information)
Individual Service needs assessments
Periodic Resource Events
Featuring : AirCheck Texas, Metro, Harris County Housing Resource Center,
SEARCH Homeless Services, Catholic Charities, Harris County and City of
Houston Health Departments…
CAREER PATH MODEL
Enrollment in
ABE/ASE/ESL Class
HIS
Training
(256 CE)
Health Information
Specialist
HCC Certification or
College Degree Program Enrollment
Computer
Support
Specialist
(96 CE)
HVAC Tech
(160 CE)
(17-SCH)
Welding
Tech
(160 CE)
(17-SCH)
A+ Certification
Network+
Certification
Heating & Air
Conditioning
Certification
Basic Welding
Certification
Certification
Nat’l Exam
Certification
Exam-A+
Certified Billing & Coding
Specialist (CBCS)
Computer Repair or IT
Support Specialist
(A+ or Network+ Certified)
Certification
Exam- EPA
Heating/ AC Repair
Technician
(EPA Certified)
Apprenticeship
Welder Helper
American Welding
Society(AWS) recgonized
GT3’S PROGRAM SUCCESSES/ CHALLENGES
Areas
Challenges
Orientation 
Advising
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Student
Success
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Success
Newly enrolled adult education students’ schedules 
may not coincide with class schedule. At launch
of program (10/2010) students interested in HVAC

and Welding unable to get into any course until
summer. Second-start course sections have limited
number of classes.
Most students lack of college knowledge in the
areas of registration, course selection and
financial aid.
Student’s lack understanding of commitment
required to accomplish class or program
completion.
Helping students understand the financial impact
of enrollment in college
Employment needs as higher priority than class
completion.
Student’s poor time-management or inadequate
organization or coping skills
Transportation issues.
Scheduling conflicts, full-time class and work
obligations
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Certifications in Continuing Education have more flexibility. There are 2-4 A+
sessions offered at two or more campuses. This flexibility allows GT3 to serve 25-30
students.
GED teachers have a program to offer adults who demonstrate determination or those
seeking certification and training in high demand occupations. Students not in class
during recruiting presentation may be referred for GT3 enrollment by adult education
instructor.
Counseled student in the area of importance of accessing HCC blackboard, college
email and asking questions in class.
Two students having problems with their GED teachers were coached on handling
the situation versus just quitting the class.
Assisted two students with solving problems with class attendance due to
transportation issues.
57% (8/14) students enrolled in A+ class on Saturday in spring 2011, 5 completed
course.
92% (47 of 50) Passing rate for HIS students completing NHA Certification exam.
Assisted a student, experiencing temporary/ emergency homelessness, prepare for
interview and acquire proper interview attire. Student got the job.
Distributed class supplies (need of notebooks, paper and jump drives) as well as
referred single parents for assistance with obtaining school supplies for their schoolage children.
GT3 PROGRAM CONTACT INFORMATION
Millicent Bradford, Program Manager
713-718-2314, office
millicent.bradford@hccs.edu e-mail
Valarie McKenzie, Program Advisor
713-718-2312, office
Valarie.mcnkinze@hccs.edu e-mail
Elena Olvera, Program Assistant
713-718-2311, office
Elena.olvera@hccs.edu e-mail