SWADC Literacy Program
The Southwest Arkansas Development Council, Inc. (SWADC) Literacy Councils provide literacy services to adults who have difficulties learning in the mainstream educational environment, and those who may be uncomfortable in a classroom setting and need individual instruction. Our focus is providing the finest guidance, training and curriculum for our students, volunteers and staff, in order to improve the lives of the people of Nevada, Hempstead and Sevier Counties. We provide one- on-one basic literacy, English as a Second Language (ESL), math, beginning computer skills, life skills, driver’s education and health literacy as well as other educational needs our students have in order to accomplish their individual goals in life.
Our initial training allows us to briefly introduce adult literacy. A placement test measure competency and consist of the Test of Adult Basic Education (TABE) or Basic English Skills Language Test (BEST). For literacy students, we administer the Washington State Learning Needs Screening as well as a simple writing test that helps to assess if the student’s reading is above an eighth grade level. If so, they are referred to our local Adult Education center.
SWADC Literacy Councils have developed a tutor training system incorporating the newest information and technology available. We have also introduced Verizon On-line Campus in which we ncourage students to take any other courses in which they have an interest. Utilizing the Verizon campus allows our tutors to work with students at their own pace and within their individual time frames. These include, but are not limited to: Laubach Way to Reading, Voyager, Challenger, Laubach Way to English and English Yes!.
Providing educational services is our primary goal but we also help guide our students to receive assistance for such things as paying an electric bill, applying for public assistance or filling out unemployment forms and job applications.
We use an instructional approach that builds on the student’s strengths and interests along with their life experiences.