The Family School Literacy for Life

The Family School Literacy for Life program offers basic skills training in reading, writing, and math to youth and adults. GED preparation classes allow participants to complete their GED.

What the program offers
Flexible hours allow students to match the training to their schedules. 
Educational planning tied to career expectations.
Access to STRIVE and other services.
Linkages with City College

Our STRIVE Literacy for Life/ GED program is designed to identify student needs and devise a specialized program schedule to meet these needs. Each student is assessed, and begins a routine of testing and work-book assignments which are evaluated for learning level.

The student then begins the process of developing an education plan, including higher education plans and/ or vocational training goals. A GED timetable is established for the student, taking into consideration any external factors, such as family and childcare needs, work schedules, and English language barriers (modified pre-test coaching is available in Spanish as well).

Using standard curriculum and textbook, the instructor begins a rolling enrollment plan. Each book in the subject series begins with a Pretest to help students identify their strengths and weaknesses and to target their study. Content-area chapters present key concepts. A full-length Posttest in the GED format enables students to check their understanding of subject area concepts they have studied in the book. After reviewing any necessary materials, students can take a full-length Practice Test to determine readiness for the actual test.

Students commence work on the Language Arts: Writing exercises, being assigned Journal topics for composition. As these essays are completed and reviewed, lessons are prepared from the series text Language Arts: Reading. As the student tracks progress in these dual assignments, the testing and work moves to the Social Studies and Science texts. Experience dictates that the Mathematics core of the program is the portion most students hesitate to enter into to. Students are continually challenged to apply learned skills, make regular Journal entries tracking their progress, and to ask for help when needed.

Once the student has hit a stride, s/he joins the scheduled group work session, as well as taking part in the regularly scheduled practice testing days. Independent study and homework assignments continue throughout the core program. In an attempt to simulate the scholastic goals of the classroom, students interact with the instructor and with their peers throughout the course of their study and completion of the subject pre-tests. Regular assessment interviews and progress reports are prepared for the students. The student’s ‘semester’ ends with the scheduling of tests for the GED at local testing sites. GED attainment is celebrated by all, those who need to continue working toward their academic/ GED goal are assigned further lessons and review.

Throughout the ‘semester’, the instructor enlists the help of the local librarian in assisting the students’ independent study projects; they register for library cards and are given an orientation to the Research room and the mechanics of the Library.

The instructor keeps a rolling enrollment/ case load of approximately 12 students.