Hello - 

I was wondering when NCLB would come up into the discussion.  I feel
this does influence what districts do.  In Delaware - 16 is the magic
age to drop out of school.  It is also the year the state test is given
to determine graduation of high school and other accountability items.
(Ells have a one year exemption).I have seen a rise in adolescents in
our program for 2 reasons.
1.  Adolescents who happen to be in a day school program want to come to
adult ed classes at night.  They want to hurry and learn English to do
well on the test.  I have also been told that the ESL classes during the
day are too short and focus only on specific school subjects.  They want
to learn more vocabulary, culture and life skills.  Unfortunately if
they are enrolled in a day program we can not serve them - but I think
if there is room in a class - "listener" status would work.  How can I
turn away someone so eager to learn?

2.  Our other adolescents should be in school but because of reasons
Yvonne mentioned I think they are discouraged.  Also - many of them need
to help provide for their family members.

Cindy Shermeyer 
Christina Adult Ed. ESL - Delaware