We have assisted over 150 displaced Visteon workers by helping them improve their basic computer skills, review their skills for employment testing and/or college entrance examinations, and to acquire their GED(r) credential if needed. Many of these learners have enrolled in ITCC programs without needing remedial course work.
The Whitewater Adult Literacy Coalition is presently recruiting volunteer literacy tutors. We currently have trained adult volunteers who are working with adults at the lowest reading levels. Soon we will be offering English as a Second Language Workshop for tutors. In addition, we conducted an Adult Spelling Bee to increase awareness about the adult literacy concern and raise money for materials for volunteer tutors.
We have received a grant for $400,000 called The 21st Century Learning Center Grant. Over a three year period, this grant proposed to assist two elementary schools raise their academic scores. This grant focuses on afterschool activities. We plan to implement this program at Grandview and Maplewood elementaries. This highly focused program will become a component of the BASE (Afterschool Extended Learning Program) at those schools.
Our Distance Learning Program hosts the ICN (Indiana College Network) which offers university level courses for credit as well as the Novel-Stars High School Credit Program. We also have 2-way video conferencing available in our Community Learning Center.
The Adult Education State Grant Monies has been rated "Effective" by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) of the Federal Government. In their recent report they stated that Adult Basic Education is managed well through new quality standards, common assessment tools, and improved performance data. Programs that are rated "Effective"must set ambitious goals, achieve results, be managed well and improve efficiency. In summary the OMB said "Adult Education Programs - Recruits, retains, and assists eight times as many people from its target population--at a lower cost--than all other related federal programs combined."
The Link's Summer Adventures Program hosted 40 students this past summer. Two different themes were offered: "Ocean Adventures" was held at Frazee Elementary for students entering 1st through 3rd grades, while "Puzzles, Mysteries, and Optical Illusions" was held at WTCC for students entering 4th through 6th grades.
The Link trained almost 400 young people to become drivers this year. We currently conduct driver education programs in 8 school corporations.
