Middle College

FAQ

What is the Middle College?

Middle College is a comprehensive program for students. Educational, career and personal goals are supported and addressed by the program.  Students receive comprehensive services which will support in the removal of barriers to their educational and career aspirations. The program empowers students to pursue the GED, college curriculum and workforce certification simultaneously.  The comprehensive goal of the program is for students to complete a post-secondary certificate, diploma or degree.

Who is eligible for Middle College?

• Applicants must be between the ages of 18 – 24 and separated from high school.
• Applicants must take the TABE (Tests of Adult Education), Level D, and score an average of 9th grade with their combined Math and Reading scores.
• If students have taken the TABE elsewhere within the last 6 months, they may submit an official copy of their scores for consideration.
• Applicants must complete both orientation sessions.
• Applicants must demonstrate a desire to fully participate in all aspects of the Middle College program.

How do you recruit Middle College students?

• Flyers are placed around the college advertising the program accompanied by program applications.
• Letters are sent out to areas service providers such as social services, department of rehabilitation services, the truancy division of local school systems, and to workforce development programs.
• Postings on nonprofit websites.
• Letters to area churches and community programs.
• Advertising in the classified section of the local newspaper in the Help Wanted – General section which refers readers to a larger advertisement in the training section.
• Community College semester postal mailer.

How is the program structured?

• Day and night programs are offered during the summer, fall, and spring semesters.
• 35 students that are accepted into the program attend a summer program in July and August which will focus on remediation in the areas of Math and English.
• During the summer session, students are provided the opportunity to meet with community agencies to address possible barriers to their participation in the program for example, child care, housing, and transportation issues.
• During the summer, students are provided assistance with the paperwork required to enroll at the college, complete financial aid applications, WIA applications, and JAG paperwork.
• GED preparation classes begin with the start of the college’s Fall semester, classes meet 4 days a week. The first eight weeks of the fall semester focus on preparing for the GED. At the end of the eight weeks students sit for the college placement test to complete their qualification for financial aid.
• Classes are structured to address the individual needs of the students by providing the opportunity for small group instruction, individual tutoring, and access to tutorial software, GED preparation, and resource materials.
• The JAG vocational competencies are addressed in the second half of the fall semester through class assignments during an 8-week Preparation for Employment class. Students utilize the KeyTrain tutorial system to prepare for the WorkKeys assessment which will be given at the end of the class.
• The WorkKeys assessment results determine the level of the Workforce Readiness Certificate the student will earn based on their scores in the areas of Reading for Information, Locating Information, and Applied Mathematics.
• Students participate in leadership activities to benefit the community.
• Students who meet the qualifications on the official GED practice test are provided local GED test information and a letter addressed to the test administrator indicating that the Middle College program will pay the GED testing fee.
• (Agreements should be made with the local county and city testing agencies, which allow for direct billing of the Middle College for students who present an official letter from the program)
• Students who are not ready to sit for the GED by the end of the Fall semester continue with GED preparation classes in the Spring.
• All students are provided one year of follow-up period upon completion of the program. The follow-up period will consist of monthly contact via phone calls or e-mail and the opportunity for assistance to address career or educational issues.
• While in the program and during follow-up, students have the opportunity to meet with the program director and/or qualified college personnel to address issues within their lives that they perceive as barriers to success. Referrals to community resources are also provided.

What does the Middle College program fund?

The Middle College is a free program for the students that are accepted. All program related materials are provided at no cost to the student.

• Tuition and fees
• Textbooks –academic classes, GED preparation, vocational materials
• Testing fees – college placement tests, GED tests, WorkKeys Assessments
• Software/Videos- GED preparation, KeyTrain, academic tutorial materials, vocational materials
• Educational supplies
• Transportation – bus tickets, travel supplements
• Graduation expenses – cap, gowns and certificates