The Patton College of Education’s Stevens Literacy Center has received an adult literacy grant from Aspire, making Ohio University the first four-year institution to receive such funding. As a result, Ohio Department of Higher Education (ODHE) Chancellor John Carey has called OHIO the first “GED to Ph.D. program.”
“The Stevens Literacy Center has made exceptional strides in preschool through high school education, and can now extend its reach to improve the lives of adults in the area,” said Chancellor Carey. “These Aspire students will be able to achieve more than they ever thought possible.”
The inaugural Aspire class will take place Friday, Nov. 2, with Chancellor Carey and Ohio University President M. Duane Nellis in attendance. Renée A. Middleton, dean of The Patton College, will also participate, and all three will speak at its conclusion.
“OHIO is constantly seeking ways to provide more opportunities for student engagement and learning, and that extends to the community in which we live,” said Ohio University President M. Duane Nellis. “I am honored to attend the inaugural Aspire class. I look forward to watching these students reach their full potential, and realize that their dreams are very much within reach.”
Aspire – formerly the Adult Basic Literacy Education (ABLE) program – is an ODHE-sponsored program. It provides free services for individuals who need assistance acquiring skills to be successful in post-secondary education, training, and employment. Ohioans 18 and older with less than a 12th grade education are eligible to participate.
“We have been given a tremendous opportunity to work with the Ohio Department of Higher Education and Aspire,” said Julie Barnhart Francis, Stevens Literacy Center director. “Together, we will show the power of adult instruction in literacy, numeracy, and problem-solving and have a positive impact on people’s lives in our community.”
Scott Hatfield and Sally Young, two Aspire teachers from the Athens County Department of Job and Family Services, OhioMeansJobs – Athens County, will teach an algebra lesson. The class will be comprised of roughly ahalf dozenstudents pursuing their High School Equivalence Diploma.
“One of President Nellis’ strategic goals is to enhance university engagement with the community, and this is a wonderful example of that,” said Middleton. “The Patton College and the Stevens Literacy Center want to work with community partners as much as possible to provide resources and human services to people who need it most.”
The Stevens Literacy Center, to its credit, has done that for more than 20 years. Established in 1997 by Dr. Edward W. Stevens Jr., a distinguished professor of history and philosophy of education, the Center improves lives by researching, developing, and promoting literacy across the lifespan.
Lifespanbeing the key word.
“Much of our focus has been on enhancing P-12 learning, but we’re pushing the boundaries beyond that,” said Barnhart Francis. “We want to improve adult literacy and education, and this is a wonderful opportunity to do so. We’re so thankful that President Nellis, Chancellor Carey, and Dean Middleton value this type of outreach.”
Aspire services are available in all 88 counties in Ohio and offer programming in math, reading, writing, life skills, employability skills, computer literacy, and English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL), among other areas.
“There is a ripple effect to this work,” saidBarnhart Francis. “If individuals achieve higher levels of education, they can attain better, higher-paying jobs and support themselves – and their families – more easily. That will improve their lives, their children’s lives, and strengthen our economy.”
It is not uncommon for Aspire students to receive their High School Equivalence Diploma and pursue post-secondary education. Some, in fact, are current OHIO students. Other Aspire students, meanwhile, receive their High School Equivalence Diploma and immediately enter the workforce.
“As jobs change and the skills required for them continue toevolve, we want to make sure that people are on the right path and ahead of schedule,” said Barnhart Francis. “Whether they’re applying for college or pursuing a trade, we’re here and we want to help.”
Other Aspire and Literacy Center stakeholders include Athens County Job and Family Services and OhioMeansJobs Work Station, Tri-County Career Center, Hocking County OhioMeansJobs Center, Workforce Development Board #14, and Athens County Libraries.