2008 - 2009 Catalog
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Community and Vocational Programs

Parkland offers a wide variety of programming for those who are not necessarily seeking a degree, but wish to upgrade their job skills, obtain certifications, or take classes or workshops for personal growth. These options suit those who do not want or need a college credit, do not want to receive a grade, or do not want to commit to a semester-long class session.

Vocational credits include classes that are taken for a credit/no-credit grade, and are usually job-related or apply towards certification. These classes are recorded on your transcript, but do not count toward a Parkland degree. Classes in the adult basic education or literacy category are usually offered free of charge and geared for adults trying to improve their life and work skills. Community education programs are primarily for personal growth. Basic and community education classes and workshops are ungraded, not transcripted, and do not apply towards a degree.

Adult Education

The Adult Education department works throughout Parkland's district to help adults improve their lives through basic skills, literacy, and job skills training. All classes are free and are noncredit. For more information call 217/351-2580.

High School Equivalency Completion - GED. Free classes prepare those 17 and older for the General Education Development (GED) test and the Constitution test. Passing these tests earns the High School Equivalency certificate. Staff assists students in determining current skill level and length of time needed to prepare for the GED test, and assists with selecting classes and planning a schedule. Day and evening classes are available on Parkland's campus, at Parkland at Rantoul, and at other outlying community sites. Students may begin GED classes at any time throughout the semester.

To be eligible for the classes, one must be 17 or older, not enrolled in or required to be enrolled in secondary school under state law, and:

• lack sufficient mastery of basic education skills to function effectively in society, or
• not have a secondary school diploma or equivalent, and have not achieved an equivalent level or education, or
• be unable to speak, read, or write the English language

Free bus passes are available in the Champaign-Urbana area for enrolled students who are receiving public assistance or can otherwise demonstrate need. Those who pass the GED may be eligible for a scholarship to study toward a degree from Parkland College.

Adult Basic Education. Free reading, writing, mathematics, computer skills, and job skills/career planning classes are available to adults who may want to improve their life circumstances. Classes are offered throughout Parkland's district and students may begin at any time throughout the semester.

English as a Second Language. Free conversational English classes are available to non-native English speakers on Parkland's campus and at other community sites. Call 217/351-2580.

Project READ. This program trains and provides volunteers to offer one-on-one tutoring to adults who want to improve basic reading, writing, math, and English conversational skills. Call 217/353-2662.

Business Development Center

1315 N.Mattis Ave., Champaign, Il 61821

The BDC provides customized training and consulting for business and industry, government and nonprofit agencies, schools, and individuals. The BDC also offers the Traffic Safety program that provides defensive driving training certified by the National Safety Council. A complete listing of the BDC's offerings may be found in Parkland's Live & Learn, published twice yearly and mailed to all district households and businesses. For more information, call 217/351-2235.

Short-term workshops (typically from half a day to two days) are offered each semester in topics such as computer applications, financial management, time management, leadership, commmunication, and supervision. These workshops are not for college or vocational credit.

Training for managers and supervisors. These vocational credit programs are ungraded and do not apply towards a degree, but a certificate is given upon completion, and the courses are listed on the Parkland transcript. Some programs are offered in conjunction with nationally-known training and motivational organizations such as Dale Carnegie and Franklin Covey. Topics vary from semester to semester, but may include:

• American Management Association Certificates in Human Resources, Management, and Supervision
• Project Management
• Coaching for Top Performance
• Problem Solving

The BDC also provides vocational credit training and pre-licensing in a variety of professional career fields. Courses fulfill pre-licensing requirements, prepare students for certification exams, and/or fulfill professional continuing educational requirements. Topics include:

• Foodservice sanitation
• Real estate sales and broker pre-licensing
• Tractor-trailer driver training
• Home inspection
• EPA Section 608
• Medical Coding and Billing
• OSHA 10-hour General Industry Outreach

Community Education

Programming is directed towards individuals interesting in pursuing hobbies, exploring new interests, and enriching their personal lives. Workshops range from one one-hour session to several class meetings and are not for college or vocational credit and are not graded. Topics include artful living (arts, music, and dance), health and wellness, history, money matters, recreation and leisure, science, computer skills, and more.

Community education also includes tours abroad, programs for retirees, and online noncredit courses. A complete listing of Community Education's offerings may be found in Parkland's Live & Learn, published twice yearly and mailed to all district households and businesses. For more information, call 217/351-2546..

ACT Preparation. ACT prep classes for high school juniors and seniors include classroom instruction, take-home study materials, and pre- and post-tests to measure progress.

College for Kids/PC4U. College for Kids (grades 3-7) and PC4U (grades 8+) offer two-week summer sessions with fun and educational programming in the arts, science, language, computers, and more.

Lifelong Learners. Special programming for those retired or nearing retirement, including travelogues, lectures, workshops, tours, and events.