December 2000

BACKGROUND: The Yamhill ESD began its Extended Learning Center in the fall of 1998 to meet the unique drop-out prevention and adult education needs of the seven rural school districts it serves: Amity, Dayton, McMinnville, Newberg, Sheridan, Willamina and Yamhill-Carlton. The center focuses on GED preparation and helping dropouts catch up on work so they can return to high school. It also provides job-skills education to adults of any age. Because this ESD region has seen a dramatic increase in its Hispanic-Latino population, ESL services are a major part of its focus.

Longtime ESD staff member and teacher Philip Baker-Jones developed the night-school concept with a team that included former ESD Superintendent Deborah Somner and former Director of School Improvement Jasmine Chase. While programs geared to help struggling young adults are offered at Chemeketa Community College in Salem, Baker-Jones felt that smaller, intimate locations "closer to home" would be more successful in reaching this population. Baker-Jones noted that many of his students don't have access to transportation, while others, especially ESL students, often feel intimidated or overwhelmed by a college campus. "They feel more comfortable and trusting in smaller, personal settings," he said.

WHEN IT STARTS: Anyone, even young adults no longer in school, can drop in for personalized help, whether it's to work toward a GED, catch up on high school credits, or for vocational assistance. "The key to our success is being flexible. We do whatever we can to take away barriers and make students feel comfortable," says Baker-Jones, noting that when students who are also parents can't find child-care, they're encouraged to bring children to the center. "We're also a catch-all program," he adds. "We serve young adults who are out of school and need career counseling, many of them need ESL services. Many students have gone through several alternatives already, so when they come here, they're ready to succeed."

The center offers group instruction for English as a Second Language and technology courses. Each student’s education program is tailored to his or her needs. Baker-Jones works with high school counselors in helping students return to school. He also works with CCC's GED programs to help students prepare for the GED test in Spanish as well as English.

The ELC operates in two locations: Two evenings (4 to 8 p.m.) at the ESD's downtown office in McMinnville and at the Newberg High School. Both locations include computers and many courses include computer-aided instruction.

SUCCESS: Last year the center helped 200 high school students and young adults either return to high school, work toward GEDs or find jobs and career counseling. So far this year, the center has served 60 students.

"We're successful in reaching these students because Philip has the ability to connect with people regardless of their culture or background," said ESD Assistant Superintendent Bill Conlon. "It's not uncommon when a Hispanic student comes for help, that student will bring his friends in the next time."

FUNDING: The ELC began as a grant project in the fall of 1998, funded jointly by Chemeketa Community College through its Jobs Program (which allows the ELC to serve adults of any age) and the state's Adult and Family Services division. This year, CCC provided a $23,500 grant; the rest is funded out of the ESD's General Fund.