State lauds adult ed. program

PARIS — "Great" and "exemplary" were words used by the Maine Department of Education to describe the region's adult education program in its recent review, says Adult Education Director Clyde Clark.

Clark gave the results of the review to members of the SAD 17 school board during its May 21 meeting.

The review did not look at every aspect of the adult education program. It concentrated on programs that received federal funding, like GED preparation, the high school diploma program, literacy programs and some aspects of the college transition program.

The review did not cover workforce development or enrichment, Clark said.

According to Clark, the overall review was very positive. The state lauded the program for its "exemplary GED process" and the "full support of the administration" the program received.

Speaking to the support from administration that the program receives, Clark thanked SAD 17 officials, remarking that administrative support "is not the case everywhere, we're very lucky."

Clark said the review did have some suggestions and one citation for the program. The five suggestions ranged from changing the name of the guidance councilor to "student advisor," to improving tracking of individual participation in the college transition program.

The one citation the program received dealt with the Family Right to Privacy Act (FERPA), Clark said. The review found that some students had not signed the FERPA release form.

Clark said that the form, which was combined with the social security number release form last year, was double-sided and that some students did not have their signature on both sides of the form.

The program did some staff development and the state has already received the updated forms, Clark said.

In other news the board: 

• Held a reception to honor the Oxford Hills Comprehensive High School Class of 2012 "Top 5 percent."

• Approved the purchase of eight canoes, 10 kayaks and a canoe/kayak trailer from the PEP Grant funds.

• Approved the appointment of Jason Manjourides as Assistant Principal at Guy E. Rowe Elementary School.

• Approved an OHCHS student trip to Boston for students who have been working with Xi Xiandan, a Chinese exchange teacher, and a trip to Boston for AP U.S. History students on June 5.