www.cloud.edu
FOR RELEASE
January 23, 2008
Contact: Gayle Martin, (785) 243-1435, ext. 343
CCCC Adult Education director panelist at Leadership Academy
(CONCORDIA, KS) -- Debbie Kearn, director of adult basic education and GED programs at Cloud County Community College, is among panelists at the Leadership Academy for Kansas Adult Education directors and leaders Jan. 24 in Salina.
Kearn is one of four panelists who will address “Developing and Implementing Effective ABE-GED Programs” at K-State-Salina. She will discuss Cloud’s program as an example of a successful model.
She directs ABE/GED programs at Cloud’s Concordia and Geary County campuses and a similar program in Clay Center. Kearn supervises nine full-time and part-time employees. A former public school substitute teacher, she began teaching in Cloud’s GED program 11 years ago as a part-time evening instructor. Since Kearn assumed her director position in May, 2005, the program has grown from 119 to 158 participants and 74 percent of the students have completed at least one educational level compared to 52 percent in 2004.
Cloud’s ABE-GED program recently ranked third highest among the 30 programs in the state annual reports and program quality points, up from seventh the year prior. The most significant improvements were in standardized testing protocol, number of outcomes per participant, technology specific instruction and cost effective services.
Kearn said the measured outcomes include educational gain which is mandatory; employment entrance; employment retention; GED completion, and entrance to post-secondary training.
“Debbie and her staff have worked very hard to make this new program a success and even more importantly to give the students enrolled opportunities for success,” said Kim Krull, CCCC vice president of academic affairs.
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