On Dec. 5, Harris County Department of Education (HCDE) Civic Engagement Coordinators Avery Spranger and Arnaldo Sandoval-Guerrero joined one Adult Education Spanish-speaking High School Equivalency (HSE, formerly GED) class for a civics presentation and to offer interactive help for the social studies portion of the HSE exam. Spranger and Sandoval-Guerrero led games that demonstrated direct and representative democracy – selected students spoke to their classmates as candidates on behalf of chocolate or chips – and another that helped participants practice sequencing with the legislative process. Students were also able to ask questions and learn more about the nation’s governmental functions.
This first visit is part of an ongoing initiative between the team and Adult Education curriculum coordinators Tiana Escobar and Deena Houg, in addition to all the HSE instructors to best serve the division’s adult learners. Spranger said she’s already heard positive feedback from students and retention from the visit help a number pass the social studies portion of the test. The team is currently working on ways to improve content for the spring session of classes.
