las Artes GED program

ISDA sponsors the "Las Artes GED program." It is modeled after a program in Tucson, Las Artes, which has proven to be very successful for out of school youth in helping them to get their GED and gain important work skills.

Our program works with individuals between the ages of 16 and 24, both in and out of school. In its first program year in 2006, students advanced an average of 2.5 grade levels in less than 200 hours. This year each student passed at least one subject on the GED test and improved their job and communication skills tremendously. Each year we look forward to increasing those numbers.

components

Students spend at least half of their time on the computer using New Century software which tests their academic level and helps them to move up in grade level at their own pace. The other part of the time in program has students working on job skills through building tile murals and selling them to the local community.

schedule

We meet five times per week, Monday through Friday, from 1:00pm to 4:00pm. This consistent schedule creates a more realistic part-time job experience for out-of-school youth. We will expand to a 1pm to 5pm schedule as soon as funding permits.

stipend

Every two weeks students are given $5 per hour that they have participated. In selling the tile murals we create, to the community, a portion of the profit received is given to students, depending on the hours they put into mural production.

contract

As a participant of this program, students are expected to ‘give back’ to the Ajo community volunteering theirtime on worthwhile community projects.each year they draw up and sign a "give back" contract. Their contributions to the program can happen in a few different ways and will be determined as a group and drawn up in a contract which they agree to and sign.

instructor

The program is facilitated by Morgana Wallace, a Curley School artist and certified teacher. She can be reached at the ISDA office (520)-387-3236, or by email here.

 

We are still accepting applications!

The Las Artes program is open to new participants. Applications are available at the ISDA office and at the Ajo School.