Smoke Signals
October 1993
Page 9
S.A.T. Test Revamped
By Dean Azule
The Scholastic Aptitude Test has undergone major
changes. High school students who will be juniors during
the 1993-94 school year will be getting a first hand look at
the "new" SAT. The new SAT does look a lot like the old one.
It still contains verbal and math sections, both are scored on
a scale of 200-800. The biggest change in the Verbal section
is the elimination of the ANTONYM part of the test.
Passages in sections testing reading comprehension
will be longer and there will be more questions on the new
test.
In the Mathematics section, the biggest change is
the addition of ten questions that are not multiple choice.
Students have to come up with their own answers. Students
will be allowed to use calculators on the Math section.
The College Board and the Educational Testing
Service evaluate difficulty of each question to ensure test
scores can be compared from year to year. There is a move
to ensure a 450 earned on a new test is the same as a 450 on
the old test.
Finally, the name of the test has been changed from
Scholastic Aptitude Test to Scholastic Assessment Tests.
There is a strong push for potential test-takers to
utilize "coaching" prior to taking the SAT. If you are
planning to take the SAT in the immediate future, you may
wish tocontactyourrespectivecounselorforpreview activities.
Thanks From Recent Grad
By Terry Thomas
I would like to start by thanking all of the great
people involved in the Tribal Education Program. Without
their help I probably would not be at this point in my life.
I am proud to announce that I have recently
completed my undergraduate studies at St. Martin's College
in Lacey, Washington. I graduated May 15 earning a
Bachelor of Arts degree with a major concentration in
accounting. Saint Martin's college is a private liberal arts
college located just north of Olympia, Washington. Upon
graduation last spring I was put in the same dilemma as the
rest of the graduating classes all over the United States:
trying to find a job in today's tough job market. I feel that I
was one of the lucky ones, because I was able to find a job in
a reasonably short period of time.
I am currently employed by Point of Sale Data
Products, Inc. (POSdata, Inc.) in Gig Harbor, Washington.
I work in the finance department of this value-added retailer
of barcode scanners. In addition to learning about my duties
with this company and about the industry overall I am
currently studying for my C.P.A. exam.
I plan to take my exam in November of 1 993 . After
I receive my certification to become a C.P.A. I plan to take
a year off from my studies. After a year, I plan to pursue my
Masters of Business Administration degree.
Once again, I would like to thank all of the staff
members of the Education Program, the Tribal Education
Committee, and Tribal Council forthe opportunity to represent
the Grand Ronde Tribe during my undergraduate career.
it I
Jb L -
The Direction of
Community Colleges
By Dean Azule
According to the Article "Community Service" by
Carolyn Latteier, (Horizon Magazine, August 1993)
"Northwest community colleges are moving toward re
training the workforce".
Oregon's community colleges have been hit hard
with dislocated timber workers placing new demands on
training. From the article, "As the Northwest moves from a
resource-based to an information and service-based economy,
there is a growing need for workers needing professional
training".
With changes in technology, the Oregon Department
of Education reports: "If high school graduates don't want to
be flipping hamburgers, they must go to college. In the
future, 64 of all new jobs will require two years of college
training. At the same time, there are fewer openings, higher
tuition, and stiffer entrance requirements". This puts a strain
on students trying to get into the four-year colleges and
universities. More students have turned toward community
colleges during the past two years.
The Oregon Community College Association
reports: "Oregon's 16 community colleges run by local
boards, are funded 45 by the state, 35 by local property
taxes, with the remaining 20 paid by the students. Measure
5 has taken its toll on community colleges and all of Oregon
State education, resulting in limited programs and rising
tuition costs".
Community colleges are looking toward federal
money such as the Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA) as
one source for re-training. With expansion of the student
population, community colleges, business, and tribes may
need to form or strengthen partnerships to accommodate
tribal needs.
The Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde Education
Division is preparing for the need to fill future positions that
may arise from economic development. If the tribal future
work-force is to be established on solid ground it becomes
apparent that a partnership with local community colleges
must occur. To address tribal workforce needs, specific and
relative training programs must be cooperatively developed
between tribal education programs and community colleges.
As Oregon community colleges shift toward creating and
expanding work-training programs, the timing is beneficial
for a partnership venture.
Realistically, the economy and post-secondary
educational institution changes will attribute to increases in
dislocated workers and new student applicants in the future.
If tribal members are to utilize training programs that will
yield long-term benefits, preparation must begin now!
Volunteer Reading Program
A volunteer reading program will begin this month
at the Grand Ronde grade school. The Confederated Tribes
of Grand Ronde Tribal Administration and Tribal Council
support an administrative leave policy for all tribal employees
who participate in this very important program at the school.
Tribal employees may participate either twice per week for
thirty minutes, or one time per week for an hour. Volunteers
will either read, tutor, or conduct language enrichment
activities. See the schedule below for a list of times and
categories available.
KINDERGARTEN10:00-10:45 & 12:30-1:30; Read To
Students & Language Enriching Activities
FIRST GRADE--12:00-12:30 & 12:30-1:20; Helping
Students Edit & Publish Books & Listen To Students Read
GRADES 1 & 2M,W,F 8:15-10:15 & T.TH 12:50-1:50;
Listening To Students Read & Reading To Students
SECOND GRADE-W.F 9:00-9:30; Listening To Students
Read & Reading To Students
THIRD GRADET,TH 1:45-2:15; Helping Students With
Journal Writing & Listening To Students Read
FOURTH GRADE--M.W.F 10:00-10:30; Listening To
Students Read & Language Enriching Activities
FIFTH GRADE-M.W.F 8:00-9:00; Listen To Students
Read
ABE-GED Classes
ABD-GED classes are currently being held at the
Community Center in Grand Ronde, from 4:30 until 7: 15 on
Tuesdays and Wednesdays, and 1 1:30 A.M. to 1:30 P.M. on
Thursdays. We will be moving to the conference room at the
Social Services building and we want to thank them for the
use of the facility. We will be moving very soon, please watch
for the announcement. For more information regarding
sign-up or individual appointments, please contact Gayla
Tulensru at 879-2282.
Non-tribal members are welcome, but a monthly fee
of $20 will be assessed.
Child Care Assistance Program
The Education Division will provide the afternoon
pre-school age Child Care Program (after Head Start) at the
Child Development Center. The Before & Afterschool
Program will be at the Grand Ronde grade school through
contracts, but a new component to the Child Care Development
Block Grant Program will be available. This new program
will help eligible applicants (within a thirty mile radius of
Grand Ronde) to receive assistance for child care while they
are at work or in training and meet the state median income
guidelines. (Exceptions are made for children in foster care.)
We are currently in the process of registering family home
providers. If you would like to become a child care provider
or have children and would like more information, please
contact CeCe Kneeland at 1-800-422-0232 or 879-2278.
Also, if you are a teen parent, reside in the six
county service area and currently attend some school or
training program, the Education Division can offer you
assistance for your child care needs. Contact CeCe Kneeland
for more information.
NEW FACES
Information about people who have been
recently hired to work for the Tribe.
MALA POPE
Hi, my name is Mala Spotted Eagle Pope. I am a
recent employee of Nanitch Sahallie Youth Treatment
Facility. I am from the ShoshoneCherokee Nations.
From 1 975 to 1 985 1 did volunteer work full time as
a counselor for a non-profit Native American foundation in
Nevada. For the past seven years I have worked at Nevada
Youth Training Center as a supervisor and a counselor.
I enjoy counselling and working with tribal youth
and look forward to a long and rewarding career at Nanitch
Sahallie.
CRYSTAL THOMAS
Hello, I am the new Senior Services Van Driver,
Crystal Thomas. I am the daughter of Martha and Hubert
Mercier. My husband of34years is Richard Thomas. Ihave
two sons Brian and Matthew, and a daughter, Phyllis. I
have 5 grandchildren who keep me busy.
I have been enjoyingmy newposition with the Tribe
and enjoy the company of our elders very much. It is a
pleasure for me to be of service to them.
Photo on page 11
Terry Thomas