ABLE to offer more sessions for adult reading, writing, math

By Denise Dick

Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN

Youngstown City Schools’ Adult Basic and Literacy Education Program, which serves all of Mahoning County, is offering more sessions aimed at improving skills.

In an effort to act as a stepping-stone to higher education and employment, ABLE has created new “Attend & Achieve” classes this year that allow adults to improve their skill levels in reading, writing and math, based on their current levels of academic performance.

ABLE is partnering with First Presbyterian Church on Wick Avenue to provide ample space for these classes during the daytime. The free classes will run in sessions throughout the year, similar to college courses. They will be mixed with students who have different educational goals, but who are all functioning at the same academic level.

Some students are preparing to enter adult-career programs at Choffin or Mahoning Career and Technical Centers, some are studying for their GED, some are preparing to enter college, and some are improving their skills for employment.

As students of the University System of Ohio, ABLE students will benefit from these structured courses with required attendance and personalized class schedules.

Available classes include those on study skills, computer training and stepping-stone classes for algebra and writing, to better prepare students for the rigors of post-secondary education.

The first six-week session of “Attend & Achieve” classes will begin Sept. 14.

Orientation, registration and scheduling for these courses will be Monday and Sept. 7 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church; from 5 to 9 p.m. at Choffin or from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sept. 13 at MCCTC.

Adults must be on time and stay the entire time.

ABLE will continue to offer free open ABLE classes throughout Mahoning County in the day and evening.

Adults must attend one of the orientation/registration/scheduling sessions above prior to attending class. Interested adults may call at 330-744-8715 or stop by Choffin CTC for more information. Information also is available by calling the adult education department at MCCTC at 330-729-4100.

Day classes will be at First Presbyterian Church, One Stop Satellite at Oak Hill Renaissance Center, Mahoning County Career & Technical Center in Canfield, The English Center at John Knox Church which offers free English classes for speakers of other languages and citizenship classes.

Afternoon computer classes will be offered at First Presbyterian Church, and evening classes will be offered at Choffin, the Educational Service Center at Southern Park Mall and Austintown Middle School.