ADULT BASIC EDUCATION PROGRAM REACHES SCHOOLS VIA SATELLITE

Besides providing classes at the Cape Girardeau Area Vocational Schools, the Adult Basic Education program reaches out to schools in a five-county area in order to provide satellite locations for adults to earn high school diplomas and sharpen literacy skills.

"Cape is the learning center and hub of the wheel, and the satellites are the spokes of the wheel," said Susan Clubb, director of the program.

Outreach sites are not the same place every year, because after a while the market becomes saturated. For a class to start, interest from 10-15 students are needed at a site.

"So far this year we have found more people interested in going back to school," explained Clubb. A special summer program in July had large participation, which Clubb believes is an indication that more and more people are recognizing the need for an education.

"People are needing to go back to work or need to be re-trained and don't have a high school education. They need what we have to offer and are coming to us," said Clubb.

"More and more people are coming in to take advantage of our literacy program, because if you can't read or write, you certainly can't earn a G.E.D."

In the arrangement with the satellite sites, all materials and instructors are provided, and the sites simply make space available and help in promotion.

One of the newer outreach sites is at Jackson, where classes will be taught for the third year at the junior high school.

"Susan contacted us and asked if we would consider being a satellite. We said we would welcome the opportunity," said superintendent Wayne Maupin. Classes had been held in the Jackson school district years ago but were canceled because of declining enrollments.

Now, Maupin said there seems to be a great deal of interest.

"We have some adults taking classes and some young people. Some folks just missed out on a higher education years ago and want one," said Maupin.

He believes having classes in schools around the area makes it easier for people to work toward their G.E.D., because it is close to where they live and work.

"It is really handy for our patrons and we are pleased to make it available," said Maupin.

Classes will also be offered this year at schools in Scott City, Chaffee, Oran, Advance, Woodland in Lutesville, Perryville, at Kelly High in Benton, at Mid America Teen Challenge and at VIP Industries.

The programs have not been offered at Kelly and Woodland schools for several years, so the opportunity is being offered this fall.

If there is enough interest, programs will be started again at Bell City and Patton.

One site not being used this year is the state probation and parole office because many of their clients had already been served over the last few years. At some point, Clubb said, classes will be held there again.

In all, about 1300 people are involved in the program during the school year, with over half going to classes at least 15 hours a week.

Clubb said that people can start classes anytime during the school year. During the summer, classes are taught only in Cape.

Courses are taught in English, math, reading, social studies and science.

A complete calendar will be published in the next week telling when classes are offered at the various schools, or that information is available by calling schools in the area. Or, a list can be obtained from the A.B.E. Center at 334-3669.

There is no charge for the adult education programs. Funding is provided by grants from the state and federal education departments.