Community Action, Inc. Adult Education Program
New Student Orientation and Registration

8/07

Most program sites hold regularly scheduled new student orientations throughout the program year. These dates are chosen to accommodate student schedules, and are typically at the first of the program year (August/September), and again at the first of the calendar year (January). However, since every site has different program requirements, new student orientations may be scheduled more frequently. One of the main purposes of the new student orientation is to replace the time consuming process of open entry registration at program sites.

Students must complete a scheduled new student orientation in order to attend classes at that site or another program site. After completing a new student orientation, students may, in most cases, transfer to another Community Action, Inc. site.

Prioritization of Head Start and Early Head Start Parents

Head Start and Early Head Start parents should not be required to wait for a New Student Orientation to enroll in any Hays or Caldwell County CAI Adult Education Program. Site Coordinators, Instructional Assistants and Teachers must accommodate Head Start and Early Head Start parents on an as needed basis.

Effective New Student Orientations increase retention rates and the number of student contact hours.

New Student Orientations should include:

• A sincere welcome to the program and site

• Community Action, Inc. (CAI) Information

Brochures - Agency & Adult Education Program

Overview of agency services

• CAI Adult Education Program Information

Overview of adult education sites
Students can transfer to any site after completing orientation

• Site Information

Brochure
Class Schedule
Site calendar
Site tour

• Texas Workforce Center information

• Collaborators/Partners Information

• Student Guidelines/Rules

• Registration Form completion

• Goals Form completion

• Assessment – BEST Plus, BEST Literacy, or TABE

• GED Exam Explanation

• GED Testing Site locations & schedules

Recommended Activities for New Student Orientations

• Student needs assessments/surveys (see samples in Curriculum & Instruction)

• Writing Samples

• Time management skills

• Study skills

• Test taking skills

• Learning styles

• Goal setting

• Student/class contracts

• GED Practice Exams