Column: Community Education serves in many ways
Published 12:00 am Saturday, January 18, 2003
Communities have changed dramatically over the most recent decades. As we look at the changes in the Albert Lea area, we see decreasing population, an increase in the number of working parents and thus an increase in the need for childcare. We have lost one of our major employers, which has prompted a need for retraining opportunities, obtaining a GED, post-secondary education preparation and learning the English language. We have seen the emphasis for children to be ready to learn and succeed when they start school along with the necessity for parent education and involvement. Data show that juvenile crime is at its highest rate during 3-6 p.m. while many youth are in an unsupervised environment. Our senior adult population continues to increase and also has many needs to serve.
Did you know that in District 241, Community Education provides or partners with other organizations to provide services in all of the above areas? Community Education staff are members of many local committees and boards working on projects to improve the quality of life in our area. At Brookside Education Center, Early Childhood and Family Education programming is offered along with Discovery Place Pre-school and Building Blocks Pre-school. Our Adult Basic Education staff works with our community members who need to obtain their GED in order to be employed, who want to join the military or may be preparing to enter college.
English is not the first language of many employees and families in our area. Our teachers and tutors help adults learn to read write and speak English, which assists them in adapting to their workplace. Learning the English language also helps them to assist their children with homework and communicate with their child’s teacher.
Another emphasis is after-school programming and service projects for our youth. Quality out-of-school programs keep young people safe, provide opportunities for positive and consistent relationships with adults and peers, enhance positive character traits and life skills and help strengthen academic skills.
According to the 2000 census, there are 24,328 residents in District 241. Approximately 70 percent of the residents do not have children in kindergarten through 12th grade. Community Education serves that 70 percent by providing opportunities for participation in life-long learning activities by all age groups and backgrounds. It seeks to enrich lives, improve skills, enhance health and fitness, provide a means to socialization, educate on a wide variety of topics, increases awareness on issues of importance in the community and involve citizens in decision making.
Community Education also assists K-12 in many ways. It is the responsibility of Community Education to schedule all district facilities and to publish the district newsletter, the 241 Update. When K-12 has had to make budget reductions, Community Education makes every effort appropriate to legislation, to serve the unmet needs due to the reduction. One example is the Youth First program, a collaborative with the city of Albert Lea, school athletics and Community Education, which provides after-school athletics to seventh and eighth grade students.
Community Education is an opportunity for local citizens, schools, agencies and institutions to become active partners in addressing educational and community concerns.
Community Education embraces the belief that education is a life long process. Please join us!
Heidi Cunningham is Community Education Director for Albert Lea School District #241.