Only 4% of students at Chesapeake College are from Kent County, where the average high school graduation rate from 2008-2012 was 83.7%. Over half of students in Kent County public schools qualify for free or reduced price meals. The Kent County Learning Center aims to eliminate barriers to education by providing services like childcare, transportation, and access to technology. It seeks to foster employment and personal growth among county residents through educational and technical programs at an affordable, conveniently located Adult Learning Center. Since opening in 2012, the center has seen growing enrollment and an increasing number of students earning diplomas or certifications each semester.

1. August 26, 2013

2. Only 4% of Chesapeake College
enrollment is from Kent County
Kent County Public Schools
average graduation rate between
2008-2012 was 83.7%

3. Free And Reduced Meal Participation
 Kent County Overall 51.78%
 Galena Elementary 37.57%
 Garnett Elementary 71.55%
 Millington Elementary 63.44%
 Rock Hall Elementary 63.49%
 Worton Elementary 53.41%
 Kent County Middle School 46.95%
 Kent County High School 43.82%

4.  Eliminate barriers to attending classes by
providing:
• Childcare
• Tutoring
• Transportation
• Assistance in obtaining documentation
• Career mentoring including job shadowing and
assistance in finding employment
• Access to computers and the internet
 Connect people to assistance programs
such as medical care, food banks, etc.

5. To provide educational and
technical learning activities to Kent
County residents to foster
employment advancement and
personal enrichment

6.  Provide a conveniently located and
supportive Adult Learning Center that
provides:
• Adult Basic Education
• General Education Development (GED)
Preparation
• Continuing Education Enrichment Classes
• Career Technical Certifications
• College General Education Credit Courses
• Computer Laboratory for Online Courses
• Volunteer and Childcare Support

7. Date Action
June 2012 Need Identified
June 2012-September 2012
Partnership formed with Chesapeake College
Partnership formed with KCPS
Mentors Recruited
Town of Rock Hall provided Municipal Bld.
Advertising Blitz and Logo Development
July 2012-September 2012 Barriers to Participation identified and addressed
July 2012-September 2012
Community Support Sought
September 2012-December
2013
First Class Conducted– 23 students
January 2013-March 2013 Second Class Conducted—20 students
August 2013 Board of Directors Established
Bylaws Developed

8. Semester Enrollment 5 + Points
Growth
10 + Points
Growth
Diplomas
Earned
Fall 23 30% 13% 1
Spring 16 81% 62.5% 5
5 Students Awaiting Results

9.  Recruited 37 Volunteer Mentors or Childcare
Providers
 Developed Continuing Education Program
Including
• PC Essentials I
• PC Essentials II
• What's New With Microsoft
• Microsoft Word For Windows
• Intermediate Word
• Excel For Windows
• Intermediate Excel
• PowerPoint
• Basic Spanish I, II, and Basic Spanish Conversational

10. Institutionalization of the Learning
Center
• Board of Directors Established and Members
Appointed
• Charter and Bylaws Developed
• EIN Number Obtained
• 501 (c) (3) Status Documentation in
Development

11. Seeking expanded facility to
house computer lab and
additional classes

13.  Financial Donations
• Each municipality in Kent County donated funds
for books and advertising
• American Legion donated $2500 for technology
for GED program
• Rock Hall Business Association Pirates and
Wenches Committee donated funds for
technology or facility improvement
 Additional Donations
• Sons of the American Legion donated two
computers
• _____ donated the upstairs of their store to
house the school

14. Career Technology Certification
Programs
Potential Drop-out tutoring
Increased College Attendance
Other

15. Solicit grants and donations when
501 (C) (3) obtained
Expand partnerships
• Rock Hall Health Center
• Washington College
• County Employers

16. How can we work together to
improve Kent County?
How can we help each other
achieve our goals and better
deliver services?