Cache County Adult Education Program offers education, growth to Valley adults
American businessman Henry Ford knew the secret to staying young. “Anyone who keeps learning stays young,” Ford said. “The greatest thing in life is to keep your mind young.” Students in Cache County’s Adult Education Program are taking this wisdom to heart. The program currently has around 50 students, ranging in age from their early 20s to late 40s.
Cache County Adult Education is a program to help local adults who have not yet graduated high school to continue in their education, improve their employability, knowledge, job skills, self-esteem, and/or receive their GED or high school diploma. The program is open to any adult living in Cache Valley who has not finished the requirements for graduation but whose high school class has already graduated. High school credit is available in all adult education classes and counts toward an Adult High School Diploma. There are special programs for students with disabilities, English as a second language, and even incarcerated individuals--all with the purpose of progressing and improving their quality of life.
Heather Phippen, the Adult Education Program supervisor, reported that each student has a different background or reason for going back to school, but that is what she believes makes her job so enjoyable; learning people’s stories and helping them achieve their goals is what the program is all about.
Some students were unable to finish high school because of mental health issues, others because they were homeless in high school or lacked sufficient resources to complete their coursework. Many students grew up in other countries and have since immigrated to the United States. Interestingly, some students even have degrees from colleges in their own countries, but require a US diploma in order to work or prove they know the material. Many students are working to get their diploma in order to get promotions or pay raises in their current job. Others hope to be more involved in their children’s education and help them succeed. No matter their background or their motivation, the Adult Education Program is a flexible means for these students to achieve their desired end goals. “Every student is different,” Phippen said, “so we really try to have it open and catered to the individual.”
The Adult Education Program faculty are as diverse as the students. Their specialists include an after school math tutor, Spanish GED specialist teacher, and a teacher who goes into the county jail to help incarcerated students earn their GED and diplomas. A few students from USU work as classroom aides to assist registering students with their paperwork and also help with the material.
Adult Education classes are held at Cache High School (620 West 1200 North, Logan). The day program hours are Monday through Thursday from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm. Math/GED instruction is held on Tuesday and Wednesday from 4:00-6:00 pm. Spanish GED instruction is held on Friday from 6:00-9:00 pm and on Saturday from 8:00-11:00 am. For information about registering for a class, please contact the intake secretary at 435-792-7749.