Adult Education Program

Philosophy

The San Carlos Apache Tribe Adult Education Program focuses to primarily fulfill education for tribal members of the San Carlos Apache Tribe from the San Carlos and Bylas communities.

With the intense increase of unemployment rates, education becomes a priority for individuals seeking to achieve a higher education to lead a successful life.  The Adult Education Program’s goal is to implement understanding of the aspect and importance of education and to achieve the goal of decreasing unemployment rates within the San Carlos Apache Tribe by focusing and assisting individual needs of achieving such tasks.

Effective ways of teaching would consist of assisting individual’s needs in problem areas by seeking easier ways of instruction for a better understanding.  Promoting encouragement gives a broader view to individuals that achieving their goal can be done.

Mission

The mission of the Adult Education Program is to provide GED instruction and support services for students through the San Carlos Apache Tribe Education Department to earn GED certificates.

To fulfill this mission, the Adult Education Program has established the following purposes and values:
  • Educate individuals over the age of 18
  • Provide academic review exams to students to determine academic standings
  • To respond to academic review exams by providing instructional services to individuals on a one-on-one basis or as a whole
  • To encourage individuals to envision education as a life-long learning process
  • Recommend individuals to seek higher education through the Higher Education and Job Placement & Training (Adult Vocational Training) Programs upon earning GED certificates
  • Accommodate individuals with exposure to a variety of opportunities to develop professional skills, understanding and values

Introduction

The San Carlos Adult Education Program is coordinated by Carolyn Pike, who serves as both, the Program Director and GED Instructor.  Mrs. Pike has been with the Education Department for nearly eight years, and six years coordinating the Adult Education Program.  Upon accepting the duties to coordinate the Adult Education Program, her goal has been to provide adequate services to interested clients by focusing on each of their educational need, resulting to increase the number of GED certificates earned each fiscal year.

In addition to her duties for the Adult Education Program, Mrs. Pike also serves as the Account Technician, managing and tracking budgets for the each of the San Carlos Education Department’s programs budgets.

Application Requirements

  • Must be an enrolled member of the San Carlos Apache Tribe, (also open to non-members of other Native American decent who are enrolled with other nationally recognized tribe)
  • Must be 16 years of age or older
  • Must provide written proof of age:  Birth Certificate
  • Must provide assigned ID number:  Social Security Card
  • Must provide valid Photo ID: State, Tribal, etc.
  • Individuals 17 years age and under, must also provide:
    • Signed and Notarized Parental Consent Form     
    • Official Letter of Withdrawal Form OR Official Letter of Last day of attendance from last school attended
    • If married, Official Copy of Marriage License

Enrollment Requirements

  • Enrollment is effective October 1st and expires September 30th of each fiscal year
  • Must complete the GED pre-test
  • Must re-take GED pre-test for non-attendance for 3 months or more

GED Pre-Testing

Priority of educational services are provided free of charge, to members residing on the San Carlos Apache Reservation.  Additionally, the program does not provide funding to pay for enrollment to “other” institutions or other types of fees that offer services for GED.

Upon submittal of all requirements, students are given the GED pre-test (or practice) test.  Currently, all pre-tests and studying materials are given manually (booklet handout).  Upon grading of the exam, it provides information to review each student’s subject weaknesses, if any, and what steps to take to focus on improving that exam score.

Each exam requires a minimum passing score of 410.  The minimum overall pre-test Standard Score (all five test scores combined) required is 2250 with a minimum Average Score of 450.  These are all the score criteria that must be met to qualify for the State GED Exam.

Non-passing individuals are recommended to begin studying and review in subjects failed, prior to any consideration and recommendation for the State GED Exam.

The program is yet to receive new computers ordered, which is to resume its computer pre-testing and introduce new software for review and studying.  Students will be given the option to complete their testing or study via the computer (San Carlos location only).

Incentives

Upon enrollment to the program, incentives are offered for each successfully passed individual.  Passing students of the GED pre-test are immediately scheduled for the State GED Exam which is conducted at the previous Globe Junior High School.  Incentives include:
  • Transportation services
  • Testing fees paid  (New Testing and Re-takes)

For enrolled members only, who successfully pass the State GED Exam, earning their GED Certificates, incentives include:

  • One-semester* of paid tuition and book expenses given as a scholarship (6 credit hours only)
  • Overall Average score of 580+ includes:
    • One year* of paid tuition and book expenses given as a scholarship (6 credit hours only)
    • Must show “Satisfactory Completed” classes upon conclusion of the semester
    • Must maintain a 2.00 GPA for continued incentive to be awarded for following semester

*Student must apply for FAFSA, as award will be based upon need

Program Weekly Schedule

Monday:  Bylas GED (Boys & Girls Club) 
Tuesday-Wednesday:  San Carlos Detention Center
Thursday-Friday:  San Carlos (Education Dept)

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