The purpose of this program is to prepare English Language Learner students for the Knowledge portion of the CDL Class B permit exam. Students will use the State of Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicle handbook and online resources to prepare for the multiple choice exam. After completing the course, students have the opportunity to be hired by local employers as a bus driver trainee.

Click here to learn more about this program.   

Click here for the winter schedule.

Prerequisites: CASAS score 225+, US work authorization, current Class D Maine driver's license, approved application

To apply: There is an application process to enroll in this class. To begin your application, click here. The deadline to apply is December 22.

Need assistance paying for this class? Scholarship money is available to those who qualify. 

Excel is a necessary skill to have in the work place. Students will learn how to create, edit and manage spreadsheets. Then, increase your efficiency by learning how to organize, display and calculate your data into useful information using sorts, filter, and charting. Use Excel's most powerful features to analyze data quickly and easily with confidence.

Prerequisite: Microsoft Office Suite 2

Need assistance paying for this class? We have scholarship money available to those that qualify! Email davenm@portlandschools.org for the application.

Students in this class will develop techniques and skills that are conducive to building keyboarding speed with a high level of accuracy, including the number keypad. Students will also learn correct techniques of hand placement and proper posture so they will be able to type more comfortably and without looking at their hands. Students will be expected to commit to coming to class twice a week and then invest at least 3 hours/week of typing on their own. If a student can do that, they can expect to learn the keyboard and should be able to type at a speed of 25 WPM by the end of the course. Students who are already familiar with proper keyboarding technique will have the opportunity to practice and progress to 45 WPM. This course may be taken more than once.

Prerequisite: ESOL Level 4 or higher

Need assistance paying for this class? Email davenm@portlandschools.org to request a scholarship application.

Gain the skills and confidence to write effectively in today's workplace. Using a series of writing exercises, you will learn how to compose clear business letters, memos, and emails and format them correctly. Brush up on punctuation, sentence structure, and basic grammar rules to give your documents a final polish. PAE certificate and academic students should discuss this course with their advisor before registering.

Course fee includes cost of book, $15.

Prerequisite: Basic Computer course or familiarity with computers

Need assistance paying for this class? We have scholarship money available to those that qualify! Email davenm@portlandschools.org for the application.

Are you trying to map out your future career or bring your existing career to the next level? Our Career Planning and Advancement class will expose you to various career pathways and focus on topics like marketing yourself, networking, and career exploration, all while assembling your updated job tool kit. Guests from local organizations will inform students of opportunities and resources available to them. Students will take pro-active steps toward their future through mock interviews, career fairs and the creation of a personal career development plan.

Need assistance paying for this class? We have scholarship money available to those that qualify! Email davenm@portlandschools.org for the application.

Please note, this course is part of Education Academy within Portland Adult Education.

This class meets Maine Department of Education certification course requirements for teaching students with disabilites. The course will focus on the characteristics of students with moderate to severe needs and students with social-emotional needs. Differentiation of instruction for students with English Language needs and gifted needs will also be reviewed. Students will have opportunities to build on background knowledge and making connections with their prior educational experiences. Each class will involve whole group/small group discussions, writing reflections and weekly reading assignments. Registration includes cost of book, $30.

Prerequisites: CASAS score of 225+, approved application

Need assistance paying for this class? Scholarship money is available to those who qualify. Email davenm@portlandschools.org for more information.

Learn how to more successfully and effectively communicate with peers, supervisors, and teams in an office environment. Skills covered include listening, oral communication that involves speaking assertively, positively, and clearly, and handling difficult situations in the workplace with conflict resolution skills. Other skills practiced will include customer service communication skills and communication issues in a team-based environment and how to ace an interview.

Need help paying for this course? Scholarship money is available to those that qualify. Email davenm@portlandschools.org to get the application form.

Designed for students experienced with QuickBooks, this course covers such functions as inventory, payroll, customizing forms and reports, and fiscal end preparation. Students will build upon their QuickBooks knowledge.

Prerequisite: completion of QuickBooks

Need assistance paying for this class? We have scholarship money available to those that qualify! Email davenm@portlandschools.org for the application.