Tucked into the old McKinley Elementary, pictured right,at 1536 Keeler, this operation provides free literacy services to Washington and Nowata Counties. Federal dollars fund this program, then the state of Oklahoma matches the funds on a pro-rated scale.
Trudy Green, a certified teacher with 23 years of teaching experience, directs the literacy programs. “Adult Education literacy programs statewide were affected when state funding was decreased last year,” Green said.
There are six different programs offered through the Adult Learning Center.
The Adult Learning Center serves approximately six hundred people, an increase of roughly four hundred people from five years ago. Presently, six types of programs, operating at ten sites across two counties, are in full swing—Basic Skills, GED preparation, English as a Second Language, Family Literacy, Workbased Education and a Corrections Class—for a total of 36 classes.
Adults interested in earning their GED can enroll in free study courses. Classes are taught by certified teachers and are offered at locations throughout both counties. The GED was re-written two years ago it now measures academic knowledge normally acquired in a typical high school program. “In Oklahoma, the diploma is issued by the State Department of Education and reads ‘High School Diploma’,” Green says.
Bartlesville Adult Learning Center offers a 16- and 17-year old class for students who have left the public school system. “We require an agreement issued from the State Dept. of Education, signed by both the student’s guardian and the school system that states all are in agreement this is the best decision for the student,” Green said. “We have actually persuaded students to return to public school. Oklahoma law requires 16- and 17-year olds continue their education to obtain and keep a driver’s license. That law is upheld by the Bartlesville ALC.”
Bartlesville was the first public school/adult center partnership in Oklahoma to offer free classes to teaching assistants who face the dilemma of retaining their jobs, and at the same time becoming “highly qualified” under the requirements of Federal No Child Left Behind (NCLB) legislation. Special education teaching assistants who want to be certified with Oklahoma General Education Test (OGET) can also take free prep classes. “This program is an example of the constructive progress made when public schools and learning centers work together,” Green said. NCLB legislation mandates all special education teaching assistants have this “highly qualified” certification by 2006.
“BPS officials found a constructive way to put their federal adult education dollars to work,” Green said. “Schools across the state have borrowed Bartlesville’s idea and now offer this service free to what are typically some of the lowest paid employees in the school system. Our program has been recommended by the State Department of Education, Lifelong Learning Section and by the Oklahoma Education Association.”
Jane Phillips and Oak Park Elementary offer Family Literacy classes. “These train parents to be their child’s primary teacher and a full partner in their education, as well as teach the skills necessary for economic self-sufficiency.” Green said, “This is free for adults who qualify.”
Another literacy program is taught in conjunction with the Department of Corrections in Nowata County. “The Corrections class at Nowata County Jail gives inmates who earn their GED or move up a significant number of grade levels an opportunity to apply for a reduced sentence. These inmates hate it when the teacher has to miss class!” Green said.
The workbased program is a partnership between businesses and learning centers. This free service places a certified teacher at a job site where they can assess the employer’s needs and then assist employees in improving on critical tasks. Currently, the Bartlesville ALC is working with housekeepers at the Hampton Inn to improve language and communication skills on the job.
These are just a few of the “positives” about the Adult Learning Center. The negatives? “Like most other schools we simply do not have enough funding,” Green said. “We are serving more people in more places than ever before--all on less money. There are no corners left to cut. We are looking at reducing much-needed programs. We do not have the resources available to serve all who need us,” Green said.
If you’d like more information on any of the literacy programs offered through Bartlesville Public Schools Adult Learning Center, please call 336-6560.