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The principal target population for Adult Basic Education (ABE) instruction is individuals who have less than a high school diploma (National Adult Literacy Survey Levels I or II). Through one-on-one tutoring and small group instruction Gaston Literacy helps individuals improve reading, writing, and conversational skills, compute and solve problems, and achieve goals for independent living.
Intake Process
All new students complete a formal intake, assessment and placement process. The intake includes gathering information about the student’s background and previous educational experiences. Formal assessment of a student’s existing abilities is achieved primarily through the use of Comprehensive Adult Skills Assessment System (CASAS) appraisals and level tests, but may also include learning difficulties screenings and curriculum placements or pre-tests/inventories. The intake process also includes an individual orientation familiarizing the student with the council’s facilities, goal setting, and the setting of expectations regarding the student’s commitment and behavior.
Curriculum
Students utilize research-based curriculum designed for their particular functioning level and learning styles as well as “real life” contexts such as application forms, workplace curriculum, menus, maps, driver’s license books, blueprints, voter registration forms, etc.
Computer Lab
All GLC students are encouraged to supplement their class work and individual tutoring with independent study in the computer lab. Software programs including Omti-Rogers, Contemporary’s New Reader’s Bookstore, Pre-GED Interactive, Math Solutions, New Readers Press GED Practice 1120, and Rosetta Stone are available to supplement all levels of instruction offered in the program.
Contact Us
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Extensive research demonstrates that reading aloud is the single most important activity parents can do to help children develop the understanding and skills necessary to succeed.
Gaston Families Read is designed to increase the literacy activities of parents with their children; increase adult literacy skills and improve employability; help parents become reading role models for their children; and improve the school-readiness of local children by building literacy, comprehension, problem-solving, and creative thinking skills.
The program is based on the highly-regarded, research-based Motheread, Inc. curriculums, which combines literacy training with family empowerment and child development issues.
Children’s literature and adult poems are used as the foundation for small group instruction providing a safe environment for group members to share experiences that make the content relevant to their lives. Each lesson focuses on a literacy theme, which allowes participants to develop skills in all four areas of literacy: listening, speaking, reading, and writing. During each class, parents participate in activities called “story extenders” that bring the story to life, build the child and adult’s literacy skills, enhance the child’s cognitive development, and make the story fun and relevant to their lives. Through repetition, they learn to replicate the process at home.
Research shows that children whose parents read with them have better-developed emergent literacy skills and an easier time learning to read and are better prepared to learn once they enter school (Child Trends, 2000).
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Students in the Basic Skills program receive a combination of one-on-one tutoring by volunteers and small group instruction in Reading Basics, Reading Comprehension, Spelling and Writing, and Math Concepts led by staff. Instruction is designed to help them achieve their personal goals such as reading the Bible, mail, newspaper, or basic workplace information. They also want to be able to write personal notes and checks, and complete employment applications.
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Students classified as pre-GED study Reading/Literature and the Arts, Science, Math, Social Studies, and Writing. In small study groups, pre-GED students develop independent study skills, learn to express ideas and opinions, and feel part of a community advancing together and supporting each other. Many students in this program are preparing for the GED exam. Others have already attained high school credentials but want to improve reading, writing or math skills for career advancement, preparation for post-secondary instruction, or personal edification.
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Gaston Literacy Council, Inc. is committed to protecting the confidentiality of our students. With her permission, we are proud to share the ccomplishments of Joyce Dube who hopes her experiences will encourage others to embark on their own journeys towards literacy.
In October 2004, Joyce, a 59 year-old grandmother, was laid off from her job at a local manufacturing company. Even through Joyce had earned her GED several years ago and had experience as a manager in her former job, her job search made her painfully aware that her basic skills in reading and math needed some serious brushing up.
At JobLink, she found a variety of programs for people looking to improve themselves. But despite her best efforts, she was growing more and more frustrated. Said Joyce, “My self-esteem was so low I could have tripped on it! ... I needed help with the basics like reading and math and I couldn’t go to the college because I didn’t even understand how to fill out the paperwork to apply.”
Eventually, she found help at Gaston Literacy Council. Joyce enrolled in five Adult Basic Education courses and became one of Gaston Literacy’s most faithful students. She felt she had found a place that is right for her. “Everybody shows you respect here. No one looks down on you, and classmates try to help each other. It just made me feel good.”
Now she is able to use some techniques she’s learned here to help her grandchildren with their reading. Recently she even helped her eleven year-old grandson with his math homework—a task that once would have intimidated her but she now enjoys. And just recently, she told us of a well-deserved commendation she received from her youngest grandchild’s teacher. “She said she wanted to shake the hand of the person who had taught him to read. That made me proud.”
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Gaston Literacy Council, Inc.
704.868.4815
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116 South Marietta Street
Gastonia, NC 28052
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