Casper College ~ Casper, Wyoming

Adult Basic Education (ABE), General Educational Development (GED®), English as a Second Language (ESL), and computer lab services are located at our temporary summer location - at the Casper College Werner Technical Center. GED-bound students are required to attend a New Student Orientation offered every Tuesday at 9 a.m., 1 p.m., or 6 p.m.
All services are free and open to the public.
These services are state and federally funded through adult education and literacy programs administered by the Wyoming Community College Commission.

The Adult Basic Education/GED Center offers free assistance to out-of-school adult students, 16 years old and older, who need to improve their basic reading, writing, and math skills in order to reach their educational and employment goals. Educational services are also available to speakers of other languages. The initial assessment given ABE/GED students is the Test of Adult Basic Education (TABE) which indicates skills mastered and skills needing improvement. The complete battery of tests takes approximately 4 hours to complete. Adult Basic Education includes: Basic writing Basic math Basic reading Computer literacy skills Instruction is: Self-paced Tailored to the learner's skill levels and goals Students can work at home, in the center, or both. Those requiring intensive individualized instruction could be placed with a Literacy Volunteers of Casper tutor. (See Literacy Volunteers of Casper information accessible from the tab above.) More information is available online about ProLiteracy America, the accrediting organization.
GED-bound students must attend one New Student Orientation offered every Tuesday at 9:00 am, 1:00 pm, and 6:00 pm. The orientations provide students with general information about program requirements and GED testing.
		GED® preparation includes: Social Studies Science Language Arts, Reading Math Language Arts, Writing (including an essay component) The State of Wyoming requires 16 & 17 year olds to apply for an age waiver before they are authorized to take the GED. Refer to the Wyoming Community College Commission site for more information.
To pass the GED, an average score of 450 with no score lower than a 410 is needed.
Download and read the speech given by Kim Byrd (Director, Student Success Services) at the 2011 GED Graduation

Rick Burgin - ABE/GED Computer Lab Instructor Phone: (307) 268-2664 Office: WT 123 Weblink	Connie Colman - ABE/GED Instructor Phone: (307) 268-2128 Office: WT 115 Weblink	Vicky Crume - Homeless Outreach Instructor Phone: (307) 268-2128 Office: WT 115 Weblink
Melody Dugan - Office Assistant Phone: (307) 268-2230 Office: WT 124 Weblink	Bev Dye - Director Phone: (307) 268-2588 Office: WT 125 Weblink	Alberta Giraldo - ESL Instructor Office: WT 115 Weblink
Kelsee Miller - ABE/GED Instructor Phone: (307) 268-2895 Office: WT 102 Weblink	Lisa Mixer - Programs Coordinator Phone: (307) 268-2453 Office: WT 101A Weblink	Sue Sigler - PT ABE/GED Instructor Phone: (307) 268-3040 Office: WT 115 Weblink

English as a Second Language for students desiring to learn to improve their English skills in:

Listening
Speaking
Reading
Writing

Classes are taught individually and in small group according to skill level. New students can register on site. An assessment, the Basic English Skills Test Plus (BEST+), is administered to determine appropriate placement in the class.

Beginning Spring semester 2012, class will be located at the Casper College campus, Myra Fox Energy Institute, Room 114, Casper, WY 82601.

ESL CLASS SCHEDULE

Fall and Spring
(Pre-registration is required and will be held 30 minutes prior to class.)
- Tuesdays & Thursdays
  8:30am -10:30am
  6:00pm - 8:00pm
Summer
(No classes are held during the summer.)

Adult Basic Education/GED Preparation
Open-entry, open-exit. Assessment and instruction in basic skills including reading, writing, math, and computer usage. Assessment and instruction in GED subject areas of writing, social studies, science, reading, and math. New students must attend a new student orientation.

Location:
Casper College ABE/GED Center
Werner Technical Center

(Fall 2011 / Spring 2012)
Available hours: Mon., 7:30 a.m.-4 p.m.
Tue.-Thurs., 7:30 a.m.-8 p.m.

(Summer 2012: TBA)

No charge
Call 268-2230 for more information.
Citizenship
Instruction in U.S. government and history necessary to pass the U.S. citizenship exam. Students must have a basic knowledge of reading, writing, and speaking English, and should be one year from applying for citizenship. Call 268-2453 (Lisa Mixer) for more information.
English as a Second Language
Assessment and instruction for students whose native language is not English. Individual and small group instruction is available for all levels of survival English. No charge. Call 268-2453 for more information.

Location:

Casper College Campus
Myra Fox Energy Institute, Room 114
Available hours (fall and spring semesters): Tue. 8:30-10:30 a.m. and 6-8 p.m.
Thur. 8:30-10:30 a.m. and 6-8 p.m.

No classes are held through the summer semester.

Wyomingatwork.com
http://www.wyomingatwork.com
Wyoming Community College Commission
http://www.commission.wcc.edu/
GED Testing Service (GEDTS)
http://www.acenet.edu/Content/NavigationMenu/ged/index.htm
Learning Disabilities Association (LDA)
http://www.ldanatl.org
ProLiteracy America
http://proliteracy.org
National Center for Adult Literacy (NCAL)
http://ncal.literacy.upenn.edu/
National Institute for Literacy (NIFL)
http://www.nifl.gov
Northwest Lincs
http://www.nwlincs.org

Adult Miscellaneous Useful Links:

Job Hunting
http://www.monster.com
Wyoming Job Network
http://onestop.state.wy.us/appview/wjn_home.asp
Newspapers & Magazines
http://www.thepaperboy.com
Reference
http://www.refdesk.com
Casper College Continuing Education Schedule

Can I study online?

Although you can do most of your studying online, you’ll still need to visit the Casper College ABE/GED Center to get set up. If you are interested in developing your basic skill areas and already have a high school diploma or GED, you can come in any time we are open to get started in the program. If you are a prospective GED student, you’ll need to attend a New Student Orientation on Tuesdays at 9:00 am, 1:00 pm, or 6:00 pm.

To get started:

All students must take a pre-test to determine their instructional needs. After visiting with an advisor and getting acquainted with the online software program, we will set you up to study in any of the following areas from home:

Basic skill areas:

Reading
Language & Writing
Basic math
Intermediate math
Pre-algebra
Algebra
Science I & II
Social Studies I & II
Information skills
Workforce readiness

For more information, please contact Rick Burgin.

Excerpt from the speech given by Kim Byrd at the 2011 GED Graduation Ceremony. To read Kim's entire speech, dowload the pdf attached.

Each year I am honored that I get to present the awards for this year’s graduating class. I can’t imagine how hard it is each year to pick out just one recipient as we meet so many unique and wonderful people that are deserving of the awards.

GED Highest Score - Andy Kulikowski

Andy could not be with us today as he was unable to get off work. Andy Kulikowski was our high score for the center with an average of 734. He is currently enrolled at Casper College as a general studies major maintaining a 4.0 GPA.

Achievement Award - Narciso Lopez

Our next award is the student achievement award which goes to an individual that has not always had an easy time in life and has really had to persevere in obtaining their GED.

Narciso Lopez left school in the 10th grade, not necessarily because of poor grades, but the economy was good and jobs were easy to come by and making money became a high priority. Off and on he would enroll in the ABE program with intentions of getting his GED, but the serious effort was not really there yet.

He became an electrician's apprentice and was making pretty good money. However, one day he was asked to get his GED, and ended up losing his job when he chose not to come and get it. He went into the field of construction; a GED was not needed there. But the work was seasonal, and in the winter months money was very tight. He had a wife and two children to support so decided he needed to start studying for his GED and go back to the field he really enjoyed, which came very naturally to him. He actually started his GED 6 years ago at another center and had passed all but the math portion of his test. He returned back to Casper and registered with our adult education program several times before finally getting serious about taking the test again.

Last month he took reading, science, social studies and writing tests again and passed all pretty easily. He waited on the math; I’m sure out of fear of failing it again. But a few weeks ago he took the math and passed with extra points to spare. This young man was a delight to get to know, he has a great laid back personality, he is charming and I am sure an inspiration to his two children. Last week when I interviewed him, I told him it was for an article for the Star Tribune, little did he know I was gathering information for this award, I asked him what it felt like to be finally through with his GED: he said it was an awesome feeling, he never thought he was smart enough, but knew that dedication would get the job done. We all had faith in him and knew he was going to pass. It is because of his dedication and perseverance that we are awarding Narciso Lopez the achievement award for 2011.
Student of the Year - John Haase

The student of the year award goes out to an individual who stood out to all of the instructors as a person everyone would like to know; someone who was very special and that we really wanted to recognize for their achievements.

Dan has been an inspiration to all of the instructors as well as his fellow students because of his positive attitude, his persistence, and his good humor.

He kindly encouraged his classmates to go ahead and solve problems on the board, even if they were not sure of themselves. He was always ready to volunteer to answer or show his answers for the others to see. He paid attention and kept trying if he was, by chance wrong, but broke into a huge, contagious grin if he was right, which was most often the case!

His class attendance was exemplary. At the beginning of the In-2-Win classes, he set his goal to pass the GED test at the end of the class. Doing all his homework, asking questions and using many resources, he scored very high on his GED and made the biggest gain in tests in class. Now he is on his way to entering the McMurry Training Center CDL program.
For all of the above reasons, John Haase is most deserving of the Student of the Year award. Congratulations, John!

Basic Literacy Tutor Training Workshop

Training: Training is scheduled for October, 2012.
Pre-registration is mandatory by calling: 268-2453.

Literacy Volunteers of Casper (LVC) is an accredited affiliate of ProLiteracy America. Volunteers are recruited throughout Natrona County and are placed individually with students who need extra help in basic skills or English as a Second Language. Often students are unable to come to the center because of conflicts with jobs, daycare, or transportation. Tutors can be placed with these students and can help them work towards meeting their educational goals. Students meeting with volunteer tutors will meet in safe public locations.

All LVC tutors must go through an approved tutor training workshop in Basic Literacy or English as a Second Language, prior to being placed as tutors. Workshops are generally offered in the fall semester and are conducted by certified ProLiteracy America trainers. For more information on becoming a member of Literacy Volunteers of Casper call Lisa Mixer, tutor coordinator and Adult Basic Ed/GED programs coordinator, at 268-2453.

Click on the following links for more information:

LVC's ProLiteracy Certified Tutor Trainers

For information regarding Casper College WorkKeys testing: Go to the Academic Testing Center, and click on the WorkKeys tab.