ACADEMIC AND VOCATIONAL PROGRAMS

Our Center offers adult general education and vocational programs. Programs are flexible and varied and are designed to meet the constantly changing needs and interest of the community.  Personal improvement, enrichment, and education toward an informed and literate citizenry are the thrust of the programs.

The GED test allow adults, 18 years and older, to earn a high school diploma.  Upon successful completion of the GED tests, a candidate will be awarded a State of Florida High School Diploma and shall be considered a high school graduate.  The district will not award an additional certificate to the successful candidate.  The test is comprised of five sub-tests and a writing sample.  The areas are:  Writing skills, social studies, science, interpreting literature and the arts and mathematics. The requirements are:

            A minimum of 410 on each of the tests

            A total score of 2250

            A passing writing sample

Candidates who fail to attain the required minimum scores may retake any portion of the test.  Candidates are retested on a different form from the one originally tested and must retest at a GED test center.

Students, 16 and 17 years old, may request a GED age waiver when extraordinary circumstances exist.  Procedures are detailed in the Pupil Progression Plan.

There are no refunds in the GED testing program.  A student must give 24 hours notice of cancellation to the GED testing center to be rescheduled for the test at no additional cost.

The adult high school credit program provides an opportunity for adults, 16 years and older, to return to school and earn a high school diploma.  Classes are offered at South Dade Adult Education Center on the main campus during the day and at South Dade High School in the afternoon and evening.  Students are required to earn 24 credits as detailed in the pupil progression plan, have a GPA of 2.0 or better, and pass the FCAT.

Students enrolled in the K-12 programs may, with the Credit Certification for Adult Education form of their principal’s, co-enroll in high school classes (see appendix).

The MS SLATE (Middle School Students Latest Approach to Education) is an innovative program being designed to break old habits and create a new chance for these students to reach their full potential. The goal of MS SLATE is to provide individualized intervention to students on their academic, social and vocational levels to maximize their ability to achieve success. South Dade Adult Education Center and Burger King Corporation have partnered to provide students with job opportunities while participating in the program.  

Highways to Success (H2S) is a district-wide initiative that provides educational services to students who are having difficulty succeeding in traditional education settings through alternative schools and adult education programs. These programs use non-traditional instructional and behavior modification strategies to create a comprehensive support system that will provide students with the educational, social, and employability skills they need to be successful not only in school but in life.

The ESE Dual-enrollment program offers high school students opportunities to study and experience training in various vocational areas. With this training, students will be qualified to work in entry level (or higher) jobs in their respective trade. Students spend half a day at their home school and half at one of South Dade Adult’s vocational training sites (South Dade Skills Center, Homeless Assistance Center). There are over 100 students currently registered in the program, which includes Auto Lube, Auto Detailing, Child Care, Computers, Culinary Arts, Environmental Services, Facial Specialist, Medical Assisting, Nails Specialist, and Pharmacy Technician.

The Division of Bilingual Education and World Languages of Miami-Dade County Public Schools received federal through state funds earmarked for refugee students’ needs. Project RYSE was created to address the specific needs of refugee youth (16-18 years old) while enrolled in adult high school completion programs. These students were not being serviced appropriately and therefore presented high drop out rates, low self esteem, and numerous problems in accessing post secondary education or entering the work force with adequate skills. In addition, these students were not able to pass the Florida Comprehensive Achievement Test (FCAT) which is a requisite for a regular high school diploma.

Students who are enrolled in participating high schools may participate in this program. Students who have passed the FCAT, but are either short of credits or have a GPA under 2.0, may be allowed to take the GED practice test. Students passing the practice test will be allowed to take the official GED test. Students, who pass the GED test, will then be eligible for both a district high school diploma and the State of Florida High School Diploma and be allowed to graduate with their cohort class.

The Adult Basic Education Program is designed for the individual student who needs individual attention to enroll in a GED class or participate in a vocational program requiring students to perform at a functional level.

The individualized program is integrated with the appropriate educational materials as determined by the student’s expressed goals and test results.  Progress is measured with frequent review tests. The use of computers is an additional individualized tool in the class.

The English for Speakers of Other Languages classes are designed for the individual student who needs to learn the English language skills so they may continue their education in Adult Basic Education Classes, GED classes, and Vocational Classes or to attend colleges and universities or enter the work force. 

These classes are offered from Pre-Literacy ESOL level (non-speakers) to ESOL Academics for those individuals need practice to enter a college or university to continue with their education.

The Intensive ENGLISH Academy program is to provide a high quality English Language and Workforce education for adult students. To achieve this goal, adult students are required to come to classes on a regular basis and complete assignments.

The program is designed to prepare students for employment as a General Office Clerk, Clerical Support Secretary, Administrative Support and Administrative Assistant. We also provide supplemental training for persons previously or currently employed in any of these occupations. The program focuses of broad, transferable skills and stresses the understanding and demonstrating of the following elements of the office support industry: planning, management, finance, technical and productive skills, underlying principles of technology, labor issues, community issues, health, safety and environmental issues. This program is a planned sequence of instruction consisting of the Business Technology Core (Business Systems and Technology – (OCP A) and three additional occupational completion points in the Office Support Services. The typical length of this program is 1050 hours.

The purpose of this program is to prepare students for employment as automobile technicians and/or auto technician helper. This program also provides supplemental training for persons previously or currently employed in this occupation, as well as preparation for the ASE Certification Test. The areas of Automotive Curriculum include: Automatic Transmission Transaxle, Manual Drive Train Axle, Engine Performance, Engine Repairs, Heating, A/C and Engine Cooling Systems, Brake Systems, Steering and Suspension Systems, and Electrical/Electronic Systems. The program length is 1800 hours although there are many points where students may exit the program with adequate skills for employment.

The purpose of this program is to prepare students for employment as Class “D” licensed Unarmed Private Security Officers. This program focuses on broad, transferable skills and stresses understanding and demonstration of the following elements of the public service industry: planning, management, finance, technical and production skills, underlying principles of technology, labor issues, community issues and health, safety and environmental issues. This is a 40 hour program.

The purpose of this program is to prepare students for employment as environmental service providers or technicians for residential homes and institutions (hotels/motels, hospitals, nursing homes, campus buildings, and office buildings); Cleaner Commercial or Institution, 381.687-014, or for advanced training in the environmental services industry; Supervisor, Janitorial services DOT 381.137-010. This program focuses on broad, transferable skills, stresses the understanding of all aspects of the environmental services industry, and demonstrates such elements of the industry as planning, management, finance, technical and production skills, underlying principles of technology, labor issues, community issues, and health, safety, and environmental issues. The standard program length is 450 hours.

This program is designed to prepare students as medical assistants.  The program should meet the standards of the Essentials and Guidelines of an Accredited Education Program for the Medical Assistant adopted by the American Association of Medical Assistants and the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs.

The content includes, but is not limited to, communication and interpersonal skills, legal and ethical responsibilities, health-illness concepts, administrative and clinical duties, emergency procedures including CPR and first aid, safety and security procedures, medical terminology:  Anatomy and physiology, and employability skills.

This program focuses on broad, transferable skills and stresses understanding and demonstration of the following elements of the health care industry:  planning, management, finance, technical and production skills, underlying principles of technology, labor issues, community issues and health, safety, and environmental issues.  The typical length of this program is 1,300 hours.

The purpose of this program is to prepare students for employment as an automobile detailer or to provide supplemental training for persons currently or previously employed in these occupations. The content should include, but not limited to, communication skills, leadership skills, human relations and employability skills, safe and efficient work practices.  The typical length of this program is 450 hours.

The purpose of this program is to prepare a person for employment as a licensed Manicurist and Pedicurist.  Instruction is designed to qualify students for employment upon successfully passing the Florida cosmetology license examination of obtaining a registration from the State Board of Cosmetology.

This cluster focuses on broad, transferable skills and stresses understanding and demonstration of the following elements of the cosmetology industry:  planning, management, finance, technical and production skills, underlying technological principles, labor, community, health, safety, and environmental issues.

The purpose of the Facial Specialist program is to prepare students for employment as a licensed Facial/Skin Care Specialist. Instruction is designed to qualify students for employment upon successfully obtaining a Facials Specialty Certification.

The course content includes, but is not limited to: communication, leadership, human relations and employability skills; safe and efficient work practices; Florida cosmetology law and rules; acquisition of knowledge of the facial specialist and the related chemistry; bacteriology; anatomy and physiology; art of make-up; and development of skill in performing the manipulative and electrical techniques required in the practice of facials specialist occupations. The course length is 260 hours.

The Early Childhood Education Program focuses on broad, transferable skills and stresses understanding and demonstration of the following elements of the Early Childhood industry:  planning, management, finance, technical and production skills; underlying principles of technology; labor, community, health, safety, and environmental issues; and developmentally appropriate practices for children birth through age eight. The program length is 600 hours with intermediate exit points at 45 hours, 150 hours, and 450 hours.

This program is designed for individuals who are currently employed in the masonry industry. The purpose of the program is to provide students with additional skills and training to advance in the brick, block, and concrete masonry industry. This program is provided in partnership with the Florida Masonry Apprentice and Educational Foundation, Inc.

The purpose of this program is to prepare students to assist pharmacists in the dispensing of prescribed medicines. The program includes Health Science education, Community Pharmacy Technician and Pharmacy Technician. The content includes pharmaceutical definitions and terminology, safety and security procedures for dispensing prescription medicines, clinical duties, communication and much more. The complete program may take up to three trimesters.

The purpose of this program is to prepare students for employment as automotive body, related repairers, and automotive body repairers.

The course content will include the following:  basic trade skills, refinishing skills, sheet metal repair skills, frame and unibody squaring and aligning, use of fillers, paint systems and undercoats, related welding skills, related mechanical skills, trim-hardware maintenance, glass servicing and other miscellaneous repairs. 

The course content also includes training in communication, leadership, human relations employability skills, safe and efficient work practices.  The typical length of this program is 1,400 hours.

The purpose of this program in this cluster is to prepare students for employment or advanced training in the heating, air-conditioning (A/C) and refrigeration industry.  The cluster in this program prepares students for employment as Heating, A/C, and Refrigeration Helper, Heating A/C and Refrigeration Mechanical Assistant, Heating, A/C and Refrigeration Mechanic and Commercial Refrigeration Technician.

This cluster of programs focuses on broad, transferable skills stresses the understanding of all aspects of the heating, air-conditioning and refrigeration industry, and demonstrates

elements of the industry such as planning, management, finance, technical and production skills, the underlying principles of technology, labor issues, community issues, and health, safety and environmental issues.

The student should obtain EPA certification prior to leaving school in order to be employed in any job that requires work with refrigerants.  The typical length of this program is 1,350 hours.

The Miami-Dade County Public Schools (M-DCPS) SAVES Refugee Program is a FREE of charge educational program designed to meet the instructional and employment needs of eligible ADULT (16+) refugees/asylees from all over the world. The SAVES Refugee Program is administered through the 15 MDCPS adult education centers.