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Betty's program, ABE, gives adults of 19
years or older the opportunity to upgrade
reading, writing, math and study skills
they need to cope with the demands of

modern living.

The program is specifically set up to be
accessible to anyone who can benefit from
the education. Students can use their

improved skills to help them gain employ-

ment or to continue their education.

Barry Page, another student, works as an
attendant in the housing co-op where he
lives and until two years ago, he was

unable to read.

After two years in the program, Barry
plans to take his driver's license exam
this fall, and he'll be ready for a host

of other activities.

"I'l 1 be back to finish off my ABE this
September, and the co-op is talking about
putting me through a pool maintenance

program now," he says. "That means |'l1

| be able to earn more money."

"|l've missed a lot of life without an

education, but that won't happen anymore."

Ellen Bootsma, another mature student in
ABE, feels that her success can be credited
to the hard work of the instructors at

Douglas College.

"They're worth their weight in gold,"
Ellen says. "Not one of them is there just
for the paycheque. All of them are your

friends, companions, and teachers."

Until four years ago, Ellen was a manual

labourer but then an accident forced

 

optional.

 

me em ce ce ee aE eR see altered Se

her to walk with a cane, and severely

limited the type of work she could do.

"| thought | would be stuck for life
doing telephone soliciting and | desper-
ately wanted an out," she says. "ABE

gave that to me."

Under the self-paced and classroom based
program, with sessions available in the
day and evening, she was able to bring
her skills up to college admission level
and she now feels much happier about

herself.

And there is help getting into the
program for people who need the skills.
Government assistance is sometimes
available through the Ministry of Human
Resources, Workers' Compensation, and
the Adult Basic Education Student

Assistance Program.
Classes Al! Optional

As well, the classes, including reading,
writing, math and study skills, are all
Students work at their own
pace, in only those courses they want to
take, although most people eventual ly

take the entire program.

Each of the subjects is divided into
three levels of competency, and students
are placed where their skills need the
most work. For example, someone could
take Reading 230, Word Study 130 and

Math 330 all in the same semester.

"You get out of it what you put in,"
says Pat Blackburn, a 37-year old student

now into his third level ABE courses.

 

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