Boothbay-Wiscasset Regional Adult Education (BWRAE) is one of 12 programs recently recognized as a Top Performer by the state of Maine, out of 64 eligible programs.  

BWRAE offers high school completion, college preparation, English language learning, workforce training and enrichment courses, such as cooking, movement, or craft classes. According to Director Raye Leonard, BWRAE met all four state-defined performance targets in its academic and workforce training programs. The community enrichment courses do not factor into this assessment. These targets included the following: 

Enrollment growth greater than 5%.  

Measurable skills gain of 82% for students who received at least 12 hours of instruction. The state target is 42%.  

Data match rate of 100%. The data match asks students for permission to use their social security numbers so the state can track post-secondary enrollment and employment. 

Post-test rate of 60%, which means students who did not earn a high school equivalency test (HiSET) but received at least 12 hours of instruction came back for an assessment that showed their growth from the start of their program. 

Leonard explained, part of BWRAE’s success is its approach to personalized teaching. “We really have the ability, because we're a small program, to develop learning plans that are unique to each person. There's no canned content here. It's all as self-directed as possible," she said.

It’s been rewarding to deliver programs to the communities that need them, as transportation and access are among the most cited barriers for people who want to continue their education, especially in the Boothbay region, as it is hard to leave the peninsula for any reason, let alone factoring in a full-time job or dependents, Leonard said. 

“It's wonderful that the school districts and the taxpayers are willing to fund this opportunity for adults.” 

Increasing access is partly why flexibility is built into many programs. For example, the HiSET — which replaced the Maine GED in 2014 — is a series of tests in different subjects (reading, math, science, social studies and writing) that allows students to prepare for one subject at a time. Test scores also follow students, so they can pause and return to their education when needed. “All adults face various challenges at inopportune times, so it's great for them.”  

BWRAE has graduated six HiSET students so far this year, which Leonard said is unprecedented. “It's not even spring, and we have a pretty solid graduating class.”  

Otherwise, BWRAE is on track with prior years, with about 20 people in their academic and workforce programs. Enrichment course enrollment is down, but Leonard attributes this to a switch to a new sign-up interface.  

No matter what path people may be interested in pursuing, Leonard encourages them to reach out for information. People often underestimate themselves, regardless of their prior education levels, and believe they can't learn something new, explained Leonard. The reality is, people are learning every day, and there is no reason they can’t apply themselves to a new course.  

BRWAE is also willing to help people overcome other deterrents, such as a lack of transportation or equipment, or connect them with programs that can.  

“I really believe in the power of education to transform lives.” 

BWRAE is partnering with other regional adult education programs to raise money for adult learner scholarships at the Hub 7 Maine Mariners Game Night Saturday, Feb. 7, at 6 p.m. Tickets are $22, with $5 from each purchase going to adult education.