Lifelong learning opportunities abound

The Lifelong Learning Section is a branch of the Oklahoma State Department of Education, whose sole purpose is to coordinate with the Adult Learning Centers and the Department of Corrections across the state to provide quality learning services to adults whose desire is to improve their skills and meet their individual and academic goals. Each Adult Learning Center is funded through a federal grant provided by Title II of the Workforce Investment Act, Adult Education and Family Literacy Act.

The primary purpose of each Adult Learning Center is three-fold: to assist adults to become literate and obtain the knowledge and skills necessary for employment and self-sufficiency; to assist adults who are parents to obtain the skills necessary to become partners in the education of their children; and assist adults in the completion of a secondary school education.

On July 21, 2008, Chickasha Public Schools, in conjunction with the Chickasha Adult Learning Center, was awarded the 2008-2009 Adult Education and Family Literacy Act grant for Canadian County by the State Department of Education. This county is in addition to our current territory of Grady County. In order to provide a year round program of classes in sufficient numbers so that the students in Canadian County will be able to meet their goals in a timely manner, the Chickasha Public Schools Adult Learning Center has grown from it’s previous five central and satellite locations to nine locations serving both Grady and Canadian Counties.

Educational services provided in Grady and Canadian Counties include: GED preparation; literacy and basic skill instruction; English as a second language; job readiness; family literacy; supporting adults with learning disabilities; classes for clients of the Department of Human Services and supervision of the GED and Para-Professional exams.

The Chickasha Adult Learning Center has been servicing the Grady county area since 1967. Through the years, the staff has grown from the original one or two instructors to nineteen highly qualified instructors. These certified teachers are employed through Chickasha Public Schools to instruct and educate the adult learners in each of our nine locations. Adult Basic Education (GED Preparation) classes in Canadian County are held free of charge at the El Reno Carnegie Library, the El Reno Etta Dale Junior High Lucus Hall Building and the Yukon Mabel Fry Library. Angie Humphrey, a full-time staff member at the Chickasha Adult Learning Center, is the ABE/GED instructor at the Carnegie Library during the day on Tuesday and Thursday. “The Carnegie Library provides a nice, quiet atmosphere for anyone who needs to improve their reading, writing and math skills or prepare for their GED exam,” states Angie. Sherri Hall teaches the ABE/GED classes at El Reno Junior High on Tuesday and Thursday evenings. Sherri states, “Over the past four years, I have watched many adults relearn the basics. I have even witnessed a 69 year old student receive her GED Certificate. The hardest part for some students is taking the first step and walking through the door. Realize that all people struggle with something: some with math, some with English, some with taking tests. The struggle is worth it when students come to me and show me their diploma”. Each enrollee is pre-tested using the TABE (Test of Adult Basic Education), and then counseled by instructors concerning short obtainable goals as well as long term goals including secondary / post –secondary education, training and / or employment. Elaine Fremin is the instructor at the Yukon Mabel Fry library on Monday and Wednesday and brings many years of adult education experience to Canadian County. The ESL (English as a Second Language) classes for Canadian County are held at the Mustang First Baptist Church on Tuesday and Thursday evenings. Nancy Riley is the instructor in this program and loves working with second language learners. “We are just starting up and having fun in our learning sessions with basic topics like: colors, numbers, calendar, time, fruits and vegetables, health, etc. Advanced students will have the same topics, but with expanded activities. Through thematic subjects, students learn vocabulary, grammar, oral pronunciation, phonics, fluency, reading and writing. I would encourage anyone struggling with the American language, to come join us as we are having fun learning English together”, states Nancy. ESL students are pre-assessed using the BEST (Basic English Skills Test) Plus Test, a test similar to the TABE for ABE/GED students.

Times and locations for all of the Grady County and Canadian County sites are listed below:

CHICKASHA: Adult Learning Center

ABE/GED and Literacy Class

MTWTh 8:30-11:30 a.m.

ABE/GED and Literacy Class

MTWTh 12:30-3:30 p.m.

ABE/GED and Literacy Class

T Th 5:30–8:30 p.m.

ESL Class – (Babysitting provided.)

M W 5:30-8:30 p.m.

EL RENO: Carnegie Library

ABE/GED

TTh 9:00-12:00 p.m.

Carnegie Library

ABE/GED

TTh 12:30-3:30 p.m.

El Reno Junior High – Lucas Hall

TTh 5:30-8:30 p.m.

MUSTANG: First Baptist Church

(ESL ONLY)

TTH 5:30-8:30 p.m.

NEWCASTLE: Newcastle Elementary School

MW 5:30-8:30 p.m.

RUSH SPRINGS: Rush Springs High School

MTh 5:30-8:30 p.m.

TUTTLE: Tuttle High School

TTh 6:00-9:00 p.m.

YUKON: Mabel Fry Library

M 9:30-12:30 p.m. M 1:00-4:00 p.m.

MW 5:30-8:30 p.m.



Adult learners who are interested in obtaining more information regarding any of the programs offered through the Adult Learning Centers in Canadian and Grady Counties may contact the director, Lisa Johnson at 405-222-6562.

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