Martha Lawson is a living testament that one can never stop learning.
Lawson, 61, is one of the students participating in the Adult Education program at St. Paul Elementary School in Summerton. She is retired but has decided to pursue her GED to keep learning.
“It’s good for me to just stimulate my brain, and to make some new friends,” Lawson said.
The Adult Education program in Summerton had been offered for several years before it shut down two years ago due to lack of funding and lack of participation. The program reopened this year with the help of a three-year $5.7 million grant that Clarendon School District One received in the beginning of the 2011-2012 school year, and funding from the Clarendon County Adult Education Program, according to Bernard McDaniel, executive director for the School Improvement Grant.
Classes being offered include Work Keys, GED preparation, literacy and computer classes, appropriate for ages 17-60. So far, 140 students have enrolled at the courses offered Tuesdays and Thursdays at St. Paul Elementary School from 5-7:30 p.m.
The backgrounds and goals of each student vary, said Ruth Maple, GED and math instructor. Some students want to improve their reading level. Others are studying to do well on the GED or Work Keys tests. Others want to improve their computer skills.
“We have a range of goals that students come in with. They include people who want to improve their reading levels to those who want to find a job as many jobs now require Work Keys testing,” said Dr. Julie Griffin, director of Clarendon County’s Adult Education program.
Martha Richburg, parenting/community liason for the Adult Ed program at St. Paul, said that the program has seen an impressive turnout so far.
“We’re showing a lot of interest,” she said.
Adult Education classes at St. Paul are free of charge. Those interested in signing up should contact Richburg at 485-6156 or mrichburg@clar1.k12.sc.us.
