Ala. Southern offers adult education

By KELLI WRIGHT/KELLI.WRIGHT@DEMOPOLISTIMES.COM

Tameka Dial, an adult education instructor at the Demopolis campus of Alabama Southern Community College, will be coordinating and teaching adult education classes in Linden later this month. With the help of Superintendent Scott Collier and LHS teacher Mitzi Gates, Alabama Southern secured a site at the George P. Austin Junior High Head Start building to teach the program. Dial talks about the specifics of the program, including how to get involved and who the classes will

Q: What courses will be offered this summer at the Linden site?

A: We are going to offer adult education classes to consist of language, writing, reading, math, social studies and science. All of the courses will be geared toward taking the state GED test.

Q: Is this the first time Alabama Southern has done an outreach program in Linden?

A: No. Actually, we had a program in Linden three years ago that was successful.

Q: Is there a limit on the number of people in a class?

A: No, we would like to have 10-15 students in the class per teacher. If we have anymore than 15 students, we will get a student tutor to come in and help. Student tutors are some of the college students who have a 3.5 or above GPA and might have a specialization in math or writing, or another subject. They can come in and help do some individual and one-on-one assistance.

Q: Is there any cost for students to participate?

A: There is no cost for students to take the class. All books, materials and supplies are being supplied by Alabama Southern. The only cost involved in the GED program is the $50 fee to take the test. If they score 550 or above on the practice GED test, we will pay for them to take the GED test.

Q: Are there any other scholarship opportunities or monetary incentives for participants?

A: We will have free transportation and free childcare service. Any time you are dealing with public, as I have done for 15 years, there are always other things that prevent them from being able to come. The two things we run into the most are transportation and childcare, so those will be provided.

Q: When does the program start and how long will it last?

A: We are starting at 1 p.m. on June 16. Classes will be held each Monday and Tuesday from 1 to 3 p.m. The program will run as long as we have 10 students participating. We will test each person and see what level they are at and where they need the most assistance. Those who are in the higher levels, we will try to work them on the fast track program, whereas students at lower levels will get more remediation and preparation before the test.

Q: Are there any prerequisites students must meet?

A: You must be at least 16 years old and officially withdrawn from school in order to participate in the program.

Q: What do you hope to accomplish with this program?

A: I&8217;m excited because the more education we get in the city of Linden, then more people can become employable, become self-sufficient and provide for their families. That&8217;s what I&8217;m looking for in my community, because I&8217;m from Linden. And that&8217;s what GED classes are supposed to be about. We also take the time to do employment skills such as how to write resumes and go on interviews.

For more information call Alabama Southern Community College Demopolis campus at 334-287-0174.