The ABE is a federally funded program focused on meeting the educational needs of adult-learners.
Its mission is “to provide the educationally disadvantaged adults of the community the opportunities to acquire basic skills necessary to function more effectively and productively and to gain upward mobility and provide the opportunities that will enable them to pursue further education.”
NMC is the designated recipient of the ABE grant.
The program has five components: adult basic education for adults seeking literacy; English as a second language program for those with limited English proficiency; adult secondary education for those seeking to earn a high school diploma; family literacy program; and a GED or adult school diploma.
Records obtained by Variety indicated that the program had 160 students in 1990 — none completed it.
In 1991, 10 of the 196 enrollees graduated; in 1992, it was 21 out of 201; in 1993, 11 out of 244; in 1994, 27 out of 429; in 1995, 40 out of 430; in 1996, 29 out of 366; in 1997, 80 out of 358; in 1998, 20 out of 632; in 1999, 22 out of 468; in 2000, 28 out of 527; in 2001, 29 out of 680; in 2002, 49 out of 594; in 2003, 23 out of 475; in 2004, 26 out of 436; in 2005, 18 out of 740; in 2006, 19 out of 929; and in 2007, 30 out of 530.
NMC said the ABE’s attrition rate has been a recurring problem, not only in the CNMI but also across the U.S.
In the CNMI, the common causes of attribution include the lack of transportation, limited childcare options and the prioritization of full-time work over attending classes.
NMC said to mitigate the adverse impact of these factors, it is offering ABE classes at various locations throughout the island.
Besides at NMC, ABE classes are also held at Dandan Elementary School, WSR and the San Antonio Manhoben Center.
The adult high school program is also offered at NMC’s Tinian and Rota instructional sites.
“NMC offers classes at various times throughout the day and many classes are now offered in the evenings to accommodate the schedules of working students,” NMC said in a statement.
The college added that the program is staffed by well-trained individuals who provide highly personalized services to meet the needs of each student.
NMC said its ABE students now have free access to the college’s computer laboratory and library services, and can avail of free tutoring and access to the counseling center.
Recently, NMC said more than 115 students participated in the Fall 2008 semester orientation conducted by the ABE program — “the highest turnout ever.”
“This is also the first orientation that information about college programs and services were presented to the ABE students,” NMC said. “This was done to help attract, recruit, and retain ABE completers into NMC or other colleges.”
The ABE is planning to offer a more comprehensive adult teachers certification program, NMC stated.
