SOUTH HOLLAND, IL–State Representative Thaddeus Jones (D-29th District) has announced a $225,000 legislative award for South Suburban College’s Division of Adult Education. This represents the second consecutive year Jones has secured funds to enable SSC’s Adult Education to create new state-of-the-art technological classrooms for its English as a Second Language (ESL), Adult Basic Education (ABE) and Adult Secondary Education (ASE) programs.
“Technology is essential to everything we do today, and it starts with education,” said Representative Jones. “The Illinois GED Exams have now become entirely computer-based, so it is critical to modernize these programs to help more adult students succeed in the classroom and in the workforce.”
Funds have been used to purchase Epson Interactive White Boards, classroom projectors, laptops, charging carts, student tables and more. The new grant funds will continue the classroom upgrades with enhanced technology including expansion of programs at the college’s Oak Forest Center and Calumet City adult education sites.
“We are very pleased to receive these funds for programs that are so important to thousands of adults in our community who need our help,” said SSC Chairman Frank M. Zuccarelli. “Our mission is to help residents improve their education and employment through lifelong learning. We are thankful to Representative Jones for securing these funds and sharing our commitment to education.”
SSC’s Division of Adult Education offers a wide range of opportunities for adults to build the basic skills required for success. ABE helps men and women whose skill levels are below the ninth grade, and ASE helps men and women whose skill levels are between the ninth and twelfth grade. Many adults choose to further build on these skills and pursue a high school education through the High School Equivalency (HSE) program which will develop the skills required to pass the GED exams. Additionally, English as a Second Language (ESL) allows non-native students to improve their English skills from beginning to advanced levels. All courses are offered free of charge. For the purpose of compliance with Section 511 of Public Law 101-166 (the Stevens Amendment) Federal funds of $307,398 provides approximately 36% of the support of these programs.
In Fiscal Year 2014, SSC serviced 660 students through adult education programs including approximately 40 students that received their GED certificates, many of whom moved on to their postsecondary education at SSC.
For more information, please contact Jane Ellen Stocker, Vice President of Enrollment and Community Education, at (708) 596-2000, ext. 2227, email jstocker@ssc.edu or visit www.ssc.edu. SSC’s Main Campus is located at 15800 South State Street, South Holland, Illinois.