• 1.4 million adults - 30% of NC's adults - have no diploma

• 50% of NC's adult population performs below average in information processing skills

• 75% of unemployed adults have reading, writing, or math difficulties

• 50% of adults on welfare do not have a diploma or GED

• In summary, 40 million adults nationwide need to improve their basic skills, until then, adults cannot effectively compete for today's jobs!

HOW DOES BASIC SKILLS HELP ADULTS?

• By teaching critical employability skills, communication, and computer literacy

• By teaching English as a second language

• By offering GED & Adult High School Diploma (AHS) programs

• By offering all adults, even those who already have a diploma, extensive review to improve reading, writing, math, and critical thinking skills

INTERESTING FACTS - WCC'S BASIC SKILLS DEPARTMENT

• Classes are offered mornings, afternoons, and evenings.

• GED and English as a Second Language classes are offered at sites throughout Goldsboro and Wayne County.

• Trained, dedicated instructors and tutors are available to assist adult students.

BASIC SKILLS PROGRAM

PARTNERSHIP APPROACH TO LITERACY PAL VOLUNTEER TUTORING

Adult students need YOU to provide basic literacy skills through meaningful experiences. The Partnership Approach to Literacy, PAL, is the adult volunteer tutoring program of the Basic Skills Department at Wayne Community College. PAL offers people from all walks of life a chance to help another adult in the community. PAL provides tutors for adult beginning and low-level readers. A volunteer is an active participant of our literacy program, a member of a cooperative effort between a student, instructor and tutor. Each tutoring session will be a rewarding experience for both you and the student. The Partnership Approach to Literacy Program is an exciting program with many opportunities for your involvement. Volunteer your time, talents and expertise to Wayne Community College's literacy effort. Experience the rewards of empowering others. Become a PAL, a Partnership Approach to Literacy Volunteer.

Become involved in Wayne County's Literacy Effort by volunteering in Wayne Community College's Basic Skills Program.

For more information contact:
Literacy Volunteer Coordinator
735-5151, Extension 717
Wayne Community College
Goldsboro, NC 27533-8002

GENERAL EDUCATION DEVELOPMENT (GED)

GED classes are offered by WCC both on and off campus.  Students are assessed with a Practice GED Test which qualifies them to take the Official GED Test offered twice per month at WCC.

This program is an excellent way for adults 18 and older to find their way back into the system of better paying jobs and higher education. Millions of adults have earned their GED which is accepted at most colleges and universities.

For more information contact Sonja Redmon.

ADULT HIGH SCHOOL (AHS)

AHS classes, offered on campus only, are quality, competency-based courses which prepare adults for higher education or for the workforce. WCC's AHS program offers more than 30 interesting and challenging classes including such courses as English, NC History, Environmental Studies, and even Career Explorations to name a few!

For more information contact Phyllis Radford or Lynn Rabhan.

ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE (ESL)

ESL classes are offered both on campus and at off-campus sites to adults with English as their second language.  ESL classes focus on group conversation, grammar and writing instruction, and reading comprehension.  Over 30 countries have been represented in WCC's Basic Skills ESL program!

For more information contact Karen Burnette.

BASIC SKILLS COMPUTER LAB (PLATO)

The Basic Skills Computer Lab offers state-of-the-art PLATO computers in a quiet, relaxed atmosphere.  No computer knowledge is necessary prior to using PLATO computers.  Software includes instruction in writing, grammar, math, job skills, science, life skills, and many other academic fields of study.  There is no cost to students and instructors are on hand to assist if necessary. Plato lessons can also be accessed from home on the web!

For more information contact Shelly Williams.

COMPENSATORY EDUCATION PROGRAM (COMP ED)

Compensatory Education is a community college program designed for adults with mental disabilities or traumatic brain injury.  The goals of the program are to help individuals acquire basic skills and abilities needed to become more independent and self-directed and to meet and manage community, social, work and personal adult responsibilities.

Admission requirements are that an individual must be 17 or older, must have a written diagnosis of mental retardation by a medical doctor, psychologist or psychiatrist, must be able to actively participate in class, and must have self-help skills. For more information contact Naomi R. Collie, CED/Staff Development Coordinator.