Questar III BOCES moved its adult education programs (formerly based on River Street) to the Rensselaer Educational Center based on 35 Colleen Road in Troy.
This year, Questar III will offer English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) and GED preparation classes weekdays from 9 a.m. -12 p.m., 1-4 p.m. and 6-9 p.m. starting the week of Monday, September 12.
Questar III Adult & Continuing Education programs being offered include:
- High School Equivalency Preparation Program (GED Prep)
The cornerstone of Questar III’s adult education services has been and continues to be the GED preparation program. This class is for students who are reading and math scores at the ninth grade level or above. The goal is to build up or brush up their academic skills in preparation for taking the GED exam. This includes teaching in the five subject areas covered in the exam as well as other essential academic competencies found the state standards such as communication, goal-setting, and decision-making. Participants who have passing practice test scores can sit for the official GED exam administered throughout New York State - Pre-GED Preparation Program
This class is for students with reading levels that fall between the fifth and ninth grade. It also covers all five subject areas of the GED exam but places heaviest emphasis on vocabulary and reading comprehension and mathematics skills covered on most standardized tests. - Beginning ESOL
This class prepares absolute beginning English learners up to English learners who know some fundamental English vocabulary. Students develop basic language skills needed in classroom and in day-to-day adult situations. Focus is on listening and speaking tasks necessary to satisfy routine classroom and social demands and limited work requirements. They are also introduced to reading and writing skills as well as basic grammar. Students who have had limited education in their own language or those whose language has a completely different writing system will benefit from this class. Emphasis is on developing greater skills in listening and speaking for basic communication in the classroom, outside the classroom and at work to function satisfactorily in most real-life situations related to their immediate needs. Emphasis is also concentrated on developing confidence and an understanding of simple written/spoken instructions and stories. - Advanced ESOL
This class is for English learners who have fundamental English grammar and vocabulary. In this class, students will refine skills needed in conversations beyond survival needs. They will learn how to function independently in most familiar situations and use appropriate language in routine social situations. They will also gain communication skills needed to discuss/interpret cultural differences and use English to solve problems outside the class. Emphasis is on fluency and communication skills, self-monitoring effectively when using basic grammatical structure, and introduction to more complex structures.
How to enroll
Students enrolling in a Questar III Adult & Continuing Education program are required to take a three hour assessment. Students pay a $60 registration fee (money order only) at the time of assessment. This is good for one year of continuous enrollment. Initial registration and assessment for all programs is done by appointment only. Please call (518) 271-7524 to make an appointment. Students will receive an orientation after registering for a class. Office hours are Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. at 35 Colleen Road in Troy.
Questar III also offers adult education programs at the following locations: Rensselaer City Hall, Hudson Area Library, Columbia Greene Educational Center, Columbia Greene Community College, Catskill Community Center, Greenville High School, and very soon at the Greene Accelerator in Coxsackie.
