ECS News
Posted Monday, May 12, 2008
ECS Urban Bridges Marks Another Year of Adult Education Success
The pews in St. Gabriel’s church were filled to capacity on April 24 to honor the students, tutors and teachers in the annual closing ceremony of the Adult Literacy Program of ECS Urban Bridges.
“We had gone to other schools, but this school was the first to give us such a warm welcome,” said adult literacy student Brenda. “We cannot thank you enough.”
The ceremony celebrated the successful completion of classes and tutoring programs during the 2007 – 2008 academic year. The classes include English as a Second Language instruction, Adult Basic Education, and GED classes. The tutoring program engages approximately 36 college undergraduates at Villanova and St. Joseph’s Universities and two community volunteers as tutors, under a grant from the PA State Department of Education.
A number of students and tutors delivered inspirational keynote speeches, in which they encouraged fellow students to continue their studies and to achieve their dreams. A gala potluck was served in the church’s undercroft following the ceremony, during which teachers and tutors were able to meet the husbands, wives, and children of their students – and pose for numerous photos.
Not only were the participants celebrating a year of excellent attendance, but also their success in both test scores and goals achieved. For the third year in a row, the majority of learners in Adult Basic Education and English as a Second Language exceeded ECS targeted outcomes on test scores, as well as achieving a number of work skill goals.
In addition to the many students who wrote resumes and cover letters with the help of their tutors, the accomplishments of other learners included one who passed the US Citizenship test, another received a job promotion and funding from his employer to take the GED; another passed an employment exam and will begin work in the near future; ten others registered for the GED or were promoted to a pre-Adult Diploma Program, which will continue in the fall of 2008.
Volunteer tutor Stan Matuszewski (center) helped ECS Urban Bridges students Julius and Minnie achieve their educational goals this year. All helped deliver the keynote speech at this year’s closing ceremony.