11TN122983

Executive Summary:

A recent tribal resolution, "a minimum of a high school diploma or GED is required to work in any tribal entities on the reservation," has made the need for expanded ABE/GED services a critical need.

Sitting Bull College is applying for a one-year planning grant, which will allow time and needed resources to lay the ground work for an AmeriCorps-Sponsored ABE/GED program. The one- year planning grant will be used to address the following goals:

1) Inform and solicit tribal, district and community (stakeholders) support for an AmeriCorps-Sponsored ABE/GED Program by creating two boards, a "Coaching Circle" who will assist in developing a recruitment and retention plan for the program and an Advisory Board who will assist in program planning, review instructional material, program effectiveness, and who will adopt procedures for the program.

2) Identify an ABE/GED Consultant who will develop a student and tutor procedural manual for the program that includes a process for pre- testing the tutors.

3) Identify ABE/GED best practices at four high schools or higher education institutions that can provide models for program development.