Shawnee Community College is a participant in the Regional Literacy Initiative. SCC's literacy program provides direct instruction and educational opportunities to individuals, families and business organizations. The initiative serves residents of all ages and educational background. Activities focus on improving basic skills such as reading and writing, as well as promoting life long learning through family education.

Tutoring
     Be a life changer! Be a volunteer tutor and help light up the future by providing reading skills for an adult learner!

Adult Basic Education and GED
     The Shawnee Community College Adult Education Program continues to provide basic skills and GED preparation classes for the lower five counties of southern Illinois. Students are initially assessed to determine their educational and individual needs to eliminate barriers to their academic success.
     Through the assessment process, students' need for supportive services is identified. A counselor is available to link the student with appropriate services and advocate for the student with area service providers when necessary. The Adult Education program has limited federal and state grant funding available to reimburse students for travel and child care costs when they attend Adult Education classes.
     The ABE/GED classes are open entry and are offered in various locations to accommodate students. Students in those classes are able to take advantage of other programs and services available to the college.
     SCC classes are small, offering individualized instruction adapted to the students' indicated skill levels. Two GED scholarships are offered at the college each year to SCC GED completers who excel on the GED test. The scholarship winners are recognized at the SCC Adult Education GED ceremony which is held annually at the college to recognize GED completers.
     If you need to earn your high school diploma or need to improve your reading or math skills, the GED program could be of service to you. Individuals may enroll or receive a schedule of classes at any time by calling SCC.

Family Literacy
     Family literacy really means family education; helping families discover the joy of learning together. Shawnee Community College's Family Literacy Program goal is to promote shared family reading experiences as well as provide support and information to parents regarding their children's educational development. SCC believes parents can give children a wonderful start in life with an environment of "Language, Literature and Love".
     By some estimates children learn half of all the information they will ever know before their first birthday. Additionally, children's attitudes about the world in which they live will be firmly in place by the time they are three.
     This program is funded through grants received from the Secretary of State Literacy Office and the Illinois State Board of Education Adult Education and Literacy Section and is a cooperative effort of SCC and the Regional Office of Education. Federal funds in the amount of $21,000 provide 20% of the funding for this program.

For More Information Contact:
Jean Ellen Boyd - Assoc. Vice President of Instructional Services
at 1-800-481-2242 ext. 3240 or e-mail jeanb@shawneecc.edu