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Chronicle Statft There was celebration at Elizabeth Ziegler school in Waterioo recently, when one of the students, a man enrolled in the new Adult Basic Education program (ABR), accomplished a lifelong dream. He finished reading his first book. Success stories like this one have been made possible by the introduction of an education program designed specifically for adults who are functioning at an academic level below grade nine. Adults are returning to school and they‘re finding that learning can be fun. ‘‘Different groups come for different needs," explained Sandra Milne, who teaches ABE at Elizabeth Ziegler. ‘"Some want to go on to high school. Other people come becapse there are things in society they cannot do. It‘s for personal growth. They have no intention of going on to high Generally, she added, the message most bring to the program is: "I want to read better and I want to write better. I just know those skills need improving." The Waterloo County Board of Educaâ€" tion has been offering night school courses to help adults complete high school credits for years. The board‘s first attempt to provide day classes for them began in September of 1982 with Operation Open Door, an alternative program that allows people who have been out of school to return and complete their high school eduâ€" cation. Officials of the Ministry of Education have been urging boards throughout, the province to provide basic education courses for adults, explained Milne. The local board originally intended to offer adult basic education as part of its highly successful Open Door program at Alexanâ€" dra school but, because oneâ€"third of those who applied for the program are disabled, a decision was made to locate it in the more accessible Elizabeth Ziegler school. Many flow through Open Door at newâ€"look Alexandra School Students in Adult Basic concentrate on improving their communications and mathematics skills. Milne emphasized, however, that the course is student rather than teacherâ€"directed. When they enter the program, she has each student identify his/her own needs "what is out there that involves reading, writing and math that they cannot do," she said. Most of their needs are practical. Some simply want to be able to read Maciean‘s m . _ Adults with limited skills Basic Ed: find out learning can be fun , head of Operation Open Door old man in the class, an immigrant from Pakistan, feels isolated because of ‘his inability to communicate with his neighâ€" messages or fill out an invoice. A T2â€"yearâ€" English. Others like Barbara, a Kitchener housewife, are striving to complete their high school education. "They tell me what they would like to do, I do some testing to see what level they are functioning at now and plan activities that will lead toward that goal," Milne exâ€" plained. She added that often it is simply a matter of building up ber students selfâ€" confidence and selfâ€"esteem. outlining his objectives in the course. At the end of 10 weeks, Milne plans to sit down with the individual and together they will assess whether the goals have been achieved and, in many cases, set new ones. The 35 students in the program attend classes twice a week for three hours each session. Flexibility in class hours allows them to fulfill both job and family responsibilities while going to school. Now, having had tieir first taste of school in a long time, some are eager to attend fullâ€"time and Milne hopes she will eventually be able to accommodate these students. For most, however, being a partâ€"time student has many advantages. "It offers them an opportunity to still function in society‘" â€" to be housewives, parents or hold down a fullâ€"time job â€" "but also acquire the skills they need to survive," she said. Emily Mota, 28, came to Canada 13 years ago. With only five years of schooling, she quit at 16 because her parents could not afford to finance her edâ€" ucation. Three years ago, Mota began contacting schools in Waterloo County seeking a program that would allow her to complete her education, while continuing to work the night shift. "‘I‘ve been looking for this type of program for a long time," she said. â€" _ Although she hasn‘t yet set any longâ€" term goals, she plans to continue taking Milne feels that the program has proven popular among students because it allows *"*What I really want is to learn to speak and write English well," she added. Chronicle Staff When you enter the doors of Alexandra school these days, everything looks much the same â€" until the bell signalling the end of classes rings. The excited chatter of youngsters has been replaced by adults discussing yesterday‘s math test or the latest family crisis. Operation Open Door, an alternative school for adults who want to finish their high school education, establishec headquarters at Alexandra school after the elementary facility closed in June. Open Door was formerly located at icate with their chilâ€" tions: ‘What am i doing? Where am 1°" The program allows her to work on her high @21 school credits and opens up doors of opâ€" portunity to educaâ€" Open Door may be difâ€" ferent, but the school‘s find themseives in life in a closed situation. At The housewife quesâ€" Bariow, head of Operaâ€" The surroundings for ‘‘We‘re opening remain the mmmammmmecm,dnenwm workofRuyMoon(right),aMinthoprmm.Muhohaonlyio wwnm.bmmmmwwdfingwimmchdpofa Visuaitex, a machine that magnifies print. them to work at their own pace and strives to make learning an enjoyable, rewarding experience. "They are under no pressure to perâ€" form," she said. "In the past, their experiences with learning have been quite negative. I have to show them that they can learn and give them an opportunity to use that learning." Some of the disabled students in her class, with the help of special learning aids, are enjoying success for the first time. Gerard Fahrenkop{, for example, a victim of cerebral palsy, will soon be assisted by a computer provided by the Ontario March of Dimes, so that he will be able to communicate his needs to others. Another student who is visually impaired, is improving his reading and writing skills with the help ‘of a machine that magnifies print. The goal is to prepare him for future employment. tional 35 in Adult Basic E d uc a t i oo a t Eli%abeth Ziegler of two, including Barâ€" bie as a result. low, to 13 teachers. But for students, the tion Open Door in Waâ€" was established in Sepâ€" to 186 at the Alexandr. School. This number is substantially when But,. along with growth in numbers, has come an expansion of available courses. Stuâ€" English now have a choice of general, adâ€" vanced (for those conâ€" sidering university) and basic, a refresher course for people who have been out of school for a long time. typing and health and leisure, in addition to the history, science and geography options that round out a reguâ€" lar make use of facilities such as ice skating or bowling will be possiâ€" Also offered this An advantage of the Students in Adult Basic are in a minority â€" the only adults in a school of 107 children. Although she admits that putting a class of adults in the same wing as children was "precarious,"‘ Milne said that the arrangeâ€" ment has been a worthwhile experience for both. Many of the children are being exposed to disabled people for the first time and are becoming aware of their needs. Children from a grade two class already come in to read to one student who has cerebral palsy and, said Principal Harold Martin, "we are looking at the possibility of involving them (the adult students) with the kids." Anyone over the age of 18 and out of school for at least a year is eligible for the Adult Basic or Open Door programs. What is needed, said Jim Barlow, head of Operation Open Door, is a willingness to work ahead and a goal in mind."‘ For more information about the programs, call 742â€" math or biggest change is that they now have a school of their own. **There‘s more space, it‘s their own school and everybody regards it as their secâ€" ond chance,"‘ he said. What is Open Door‘s recipe for success? Barlow feels that the program is satisfying a significant need in the community for courses earn high school credâ€" its during the day. The structure of the program, which diâ€" vides the school year into short 10â€" week seâ€" mesters, allowing stuâ€" dents to see the success of their efforts sooner, small classes and an student can do rather than what he can‘t do are other reasons Barâ€" low feels the program has proven popular Pat Arbuckie photos