SAS and SVAEC Student Council
Submitted By: Ana Mendoza Santiago
Salinas Valley Adult Education Consortium
Website: https://www.facebook.com/salinas.adultschool.1
Type of Practice: Learner Transition
Program Area(s): ABE / ASE, ESL / EL Civics / Citizenship, Adults with Disabilities, K12 Success
Region: Central Coast
Consortia Involved: Salinas Valley Adult Education Consortium
The Program of Practice
Lack of student feedback in the decision making process of adult school in the area.
The Response
Salinas Adult School created a student council that became a strong advocacy force. SAS Student Council led multiple successful initiatives and advocated for our program at the district level which led to many benefits for students. This student group also received multiple awards from Monterey County for their volunteer work helping the community. They are currently starting a vending machine business. Student withing the council have opened business and accelerated their learning. These results let to the creation of SVAEC Student Council which has made county-wide changes. SVAEC Student Council has created state events, free immigration consultations and other county-wide benefits. Their involvement led to curriculum alignment and other positive impacts to SVAEC and its partners.
The Unique Features of the Program
SAS has an active group of students who have now become community leaders and led to the creation of the SVAEC Student County that has also made impacts across Monterey County. The byproduct of creating both student councils is more active student body. Student involvement in their education following andragogical practices and has made a huge impact in both the student experience and school culture.
The Outcome
Multiple services have been created due to the SAS and SVAEC student council. SAS SC Has created clubs, community events, free food distributions for students/community, entrepreneurship clubs, artistic workshops, and transition programs. They are also doing fundraisers to start their own vending machine business. Students currently have over $4,000 for this cause.
SVAEC Student Council in one year has had big accomplishments: Free Immigration consultations by Immigration Attorney for Monterey County, Ven al Cafe con Pan (Series of student presentations), Entrepreneur of the Month, Validating Foreign Degrees, curriculum alignment and other county wide changes.