ADULT EDUCATION: AS SIMPLE AS ABE

Abdul Sides worked on math problems in the GED class at the Salvation Army.

A person who can't read probably can't get a job. A person who doesn't read well or have basic educational skills likely won't get a good job.

But for those who aren't able to read or are lacking in basic academic skills, help is available. Numerous adult basic education centers have been developed to help people develop their education skills or pass graduate equivalency degree assessments.

Nancy Branson, adult basic education coordinator at the Cape Girardeau Career and Technology Center, said 940 people are officially enrolled in ABE programs throughout a seven-county area. Some 11 sites are available in Cape Girardeau, Scott, Bollinger, Stoddard, Perry, Ste. Genevieve and Stoddard counties.

Each student has his own individualized study and instruction. The student sets his own study schedule and studies at his own pace.

After enrolling, students take a Slossan test, which helps judge their academic level. Once they've been tested, the students begin working towards a GED.

"There's good things about every site," said Branson. "We help them complete their high school education and, hopefully, move on to college or employment or better employment. We also work with laid-off workers when they need to take employment exams."

In March, the ABE program opened its first business location at the Southeast Missouri Private Industry Council, 760 S. Kingshighway. The center operates Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to noon. The PIC program shares a work area with other service agencies, including the state Job Services center, Division of Family Services and others.

"It is our first business location where they are visible to employers and also to the employment office," said Branson. "We have always had a good relationship with all the community organizations, but this gives them an opportunity to send their clients over immediately to adult education if they have a need when they come into the office.

Two certified teachers staff the center and work with some 18 students who are currently enrolled. One benefit of the program is limited access to transportation to and from the PIC program.

"They must apply through the PIC office, but there is a certain amount of limited transportation," said Branson. "They have a van that helps get people to and from work, and when it's possible, they work our program around that schedule."

Other ABE sites are open to the general public at the Salvation Army, 701 S. Sprigg St., and Cape Girardeau Career and Technology Center, 301 N. Clark St., in Cape Girardeau. Programs at the Family Counseling Center and Mid-America Teen Challenge are available for internal use only.

For more information about ABE programs, contact the vocational school at (573) 334-3669.