newsletter issue 2

QUARTERLY

NEWSLETTER Education that moves you forward. The path starts here.

March 2026 | Issue 2

Fatima, recent HiSET graduate

Sarondjina and Priscila, Bridge to Hospitality Careers graduates with Erin, SPAE director

Stay Informed, Stay Inspired.

In this issue, we’re excited to share more of the people, programs, and purpose that define South Portland Adult Education. At the heart of all we do are our students—their goals, growth, and success. Inside, you’ll meet one of our students, take a closer look at our HiSET program, and explore our Bridge to Hospitality Careers classes. We’re also highlighting new and emerging work, from digital skills integration to our Healthcare ESOL class, all designed to strengthen outcomes and expand opportunity. We’re proud of the work happening every day in our classrooms, and we’re excited to share this news with you.

Erin Krivicky

Director South Portland Adult Education

Mission Statement South Portland Adult Education believes that all adult learners are able to obtain the knowledge and skills necessary for post-secondary education, career, and citizenship. Adult learners of all backgrounds are welcomed, included, and respected as they participate in relevant and accessible high quality learning experiences to help them reach their fullest potential.

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT Can you tell me a bit about yourself and what led you to enroll in SPAE? My name is Sylvie. I am from Congo Kinshasa. I speak English, French, Lingala, and a little bit of Swahili. I heard about the Bridge to Hospitality Careers class and was excited that there was an English class focused on hospitality. In Congo, my family used to run a 21 room hotel where I worked as the manager.

Why did you decide to enroll in Bridge to Hospitality Careers?

I like to study and I want to speak great English. I believe you need to know everything around you.

If you live somewhere you need to know how to find things and get around. You need to function well and this takes reading and speaking in English.

What did you most enjoy in the Bridge to Hospitality class?

I really liked the focus on hospitality and the way the class used computers to learn. Computers are very important for moving through the world in the United States. In Congo, many things are still done without computers. Computer knowledge is very important.

POWERING LANGUAGE LEARNING WITH CHROMEBOOKS This January, SPAE acquired 100 gently used Chromebooks through Ruth’s Reusable Resources for use with ESOL students. Ruth’s Reusable Resources is a Portland, Maine nonprofit organization that supplies surplus school supplies and technology to schools and nonprofits.

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The Chromebooks will be instrumental in ESOL classroom teaching, allowing teachers the ability to integrate technology into English language instruction and opportunities for students to grow their digital literacy skills. We are grateful for the new learning experiences that are now available to SPAE students.

THE HISET EXAM: EXPANDING OPPORTUNITIES FOR ADULT LEARNERS

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Earning a HiSET® (the High School Equivalency Test), Maine’s high school equivalency credential, can provide significant lifelong benefits for adults.

Studies indicate that individuals who pass the HiSET® gain access to new opportunities in education, employment, and career advancement. Earning a HiSET® opens the door for adult learners to apply to college or vocational training programs.

Research shows that people with a high school diploma or equivalent earn higher wages and have greater job opportunities than those without one.2 In addition, earning a HiSET® is correlated with increased academic and personal skills and quality of life improvements.3 The HiSET® is an exam designed for adults who did not complete traditional high school but want to earn a credential equivalent to a high school diploma. The test measures whether individuals have the same academic knowledge and skills as a high school graduate. The HiSET® exam includes five subject areas: Language Arts–Reading Language Arts–Writing Mathematics Science Social Studies Adult education programs play a critical role in helping students prepare for and successfully pass the HiSET® exam. In

Maine, a high school equivalency credential is available through Maine adult education programs or JobCorps. At SPAE, instruction in reading, writing, mathematics, and other subjects that are tested on the exam, is available to students enrolled in the HiSET® program.

Students receive free practice tests, tutoring, and individualized support to strengthen their academic skills before taking each subject’s exam.

Nate, 2025 HiSET graduate

HiSET® instructor Jen Erickson notes, “the core of SPAE’s HiSET® program is to provide a supportive and flexible environment.” Erickson helps students set goals, improve academic, study, and executive functioning skills, and prepare systematically for each exam. Program Coordinator Michelle Davenport adds, “From the first day a prospective student enters our space, we help students reframe their high school experiences and build a positive and motivated attitude about earning their HiSET® and reaching their goals.” By offering academic support and encouragement, SPAE’s HiSET® program plays an essential role in helping students overcome educational barriers and successfully earn their high school equivalency credential, opening the door to new educational and career opportunities.

1

Georgetown University. After Everything: Projections of Jobs, Education, and Training Requirements through 2031.

2 Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2024, tables 5.1 and 5.2 3 Validating HiSET® Tests as High School Equivalency Tests That Improve Educational, Vocational, and Quality-of-Life Outcomes, 2022.

A PIPELINE TO IN DEMAND JOBS

For the upcoming school year, SPAE plans to introduce a brand new workforce training program centered around another in-demand career field in Maine, healthcare.

Filling a need in available offerings in southern Maine for adult English language learners, SPAE aims to develop a contextualized ESOL program focused on introducing the wide array of healthcare career pathways while building English speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills. Program planning is underway with the goal of a summer 2026 start date.

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SPAE is now recruiting for its newest course track, Bridge to Hospitality Careers: Food Service. This new program will expose students to pathways in the food service sector side of hospitality and tourism and lead to the ServSafe: Food Handler® credential. Applications are due March 20th and class will begin March 31st. For more information, visit our website.

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The third cohort of Bridge to Hospitality Careers ended February 17th. Before the conclusion of their class, students attended a mock interview day at the Greater Portland Career Center where they met with community and hospitality industry volunteers. 100% percent of students passed their Guest Service Gold: Tourism® exam and are now Certified Guest Service Professionals (CGSP®)!

Top 5 Employment Industries in Maine in 2022 and Projected 2032

https://www.maine.gov/labor/cwri/dashboards/employment-projections

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