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Show r mm Pam 12 August 3. 1988 -- (Uintah (Basin 9 Education Standard Adult Literacy in Basin is growing concern to educators According to information provided by Jacqui Betts ofthe newly-formBasin Literacy Program, adult literacy is a growing concern in the Uintan Basin, especially in Duchesne and Uintah counties. The statistics show that for Duchesne County, there are 2,182 individuals over the age 16 who dont have even a high school diploma, (or equivalent) and who arent in a school at this time. , Of that number, in the ages about 86 are employed, 40 are unemployed and 106 are not in the labor force, (for a total of 231). The rest of the group are ages 18 and older who don't have a diploma. The same statistics show that there are approximately 5,262 other persons, sges kindergarten, elementary, junior high and high school enroller, (public, church related and other private programs) and individuals 4 and under who are not in school These statistics, which were taken from the 1980 census of population and housing and census of educational characteristics for counties are alarming and although they are based on information almost eight years old, would probably be even worse now, given ed 16-1- 8, 8, -- TO IMPROVE LITERACY -J- acqui Betts is setting up a special Adult Literacy Program in the Basin and needs students and volunteer tutors to help in die program. The classes are and confidential with flexible hours and locations. Fbr more 2 information call her at or one-on-o- ne 722-403- the decreasing population and depression of the area. Uintah Countys figures look even worse, with 4,003 individuals, age 16 and older, who dont have a diploma or who arent in economic school Their percentage of county adults without a high school dicomploma runs about 32.1 pared with Duchesne county. But the two counties arent alone in the problem, according to Betts, as thore are approximately 27 million adult Americans who cant read or write well enough to fill out a job application, understand the label on a medicine bottle,make full use of their native ability to lead productive and sati- sfying lives or even exercise the responsibilities of citizenship, such as voting... Functional illiteracy in our countzymeans that there are actually millions of Americans, over ths age of 17 who are unable to write or read to any significant degree, especially in those areas of basic everyday working and living. Another 45 million are only marginally competent in basic skills, for a total of 72 million, and that number is growing by 2 14 million each year, according to the 722-310- 1. Myton farm family chosen for finals Georgs and Shauna Lindsay, Myton, have been named as Utahs representative in the nations outstanding and innovative farm and ranch family quest Recognised in the sixth an-- . nual national soil and water con- servation awards program, funded by the DuPont Company, they have been chosen from among several hundred nominees by public and private agricultural and conservation leaders in each Each state winner will receive an awards certificate, and all will ' be honored in a number of state- -' wide events throughout the year. The program, created and run by thenational endowment fbr soil and water conservation, honors agricultural conservationists who do an especially effective job of managing soil and water resources, preventing or reducing pollution from agriculture, and helping other agricultural producers and the public learn of the importance and the techniques of agricultural resource protection. "Many more Americans need to understand what these remarkable farm families accomplish, said Emmett Barker, president of the farm and industrial equipment institute, who chairs the endowment They safeguard our agricultural fixture, and they also help reduce many natural resource problems. Along with the endowment and the DuPont company, other corporations and government, they prove that teamwork gets a lot more done. DuPont is very committed to this awards program, said John of A. Knot, group DuPont Agricultural Products. Its winners demonstrate so well that the land can produce without polluting. Even with new farm laws and water quality rules, we're convinced that the responsible steward is still the most effective conservationist. Beyond the presentations and other events being planned within each state, the 1988 state winners also will vie for further national honors. Their accomplishments will be evaluated by a technical advisory committee and by former national winners of the endowment awards. Then 10 national finalists will be selected. Each of these 10 families will attend an awards ceremony in St. Louis Oct. 30. The event will be in conjunction with the annual meeting of the American Agricultural Editors Association. Prom the 10 finalists, three has many positive points to Kelp the adult new and such as ths instructional materilow-read- U.S. Department of Education. This is where programs, such as the one Jacqui Betts is involved in can help on a local level. The Basin Adult Literacy Program is a ground-lev- el program that cov- ers such basic necessities as skills needed to fill out job application, bank statements and other necessities. She emphasized that the program is totally confidential and There is no testing and students progress at their own pace. Diplomas are issued at each level and students demonstrate that they have mastered the kills of each level before moving on to the next level. Though the program starts at ths ground level and moves up to only the fifth grade reading level Betts emphasised that it was no cause fbr embarrassment. That simply means that the student has mastered the basic skills in reading that they need to go on from that point. They now have the skills or tools they need in order to learn and progress, said Betts. Most newspapers and maga-zina- s are written to be understood by those with fifth or sixth grade reading skills and the more a student usee thoee tools, the faster they will progress, according to Betts. Betts said that the program one-on-on- e. er, als which go from basic level on up. Everyone starts out at ths basic level and moves upward at their own pace. Tutoring sessions are arranged by the student and tutor at a time and location they choose This helps and are with the confidentiality as many adults who have problems with literacy are embarrassed about getting help. This program makes the help they need easy to obtain and confidentiality is assured. Volunteer tutors are given 12 hour of specialized training in how to help their students and the only cost to students is for their books and related materials. Costs range from $2.75 to $5 per book to level 5, or about $20 for the whole program. Betts also said that aha plans tooffer writingaspart of the whole package and later on, hopes to offer a course on English as a second language. This program is fiinded as part of the VISTA, or Volunteers In Service To America program, though Betts is in the process of applying for grants as well She stressed that it was never too late to learn tha basic skills and that illiteracy was something that a person didn't have to live with. She is lookingfor volunteers to act as tutors, (they will receive training), as well as those who would like to participate in the program. For more information, call Jacqui Betts at 2 or one-on-on- e. . . 722-403- 722-310- 1. Tabby Valley association chooses EMT of the year Tabiona resident William Cook has been honored as the Tabby Valley EAST of the year, in vice-preside- nt appreciation for his efforts and time donated to the association and the community. Cook has been in the emergency medical field for twenty years, beginning as a medic in the Vietnam conflict, where he worked in that capacity for five years. He continues to use his skills and training with tha Tabby Valley EMT Association as their training officer. FINALISTS-Geor- ge Lindsay and his Wife, Shauna are finalists fbr the state of children Melissa Jordan and thdr and a national fanners in and ranchers particiUtah competition fbr conservation in programs. George said it was truly a pating family effort MYTON national winners will be chosen to receive s $1,000 cash sward and certificate at special ceremonies in Washington in early December. The events will include a White House reception and meetings with several agency heads, senators and congressmen. "I wonder what happens if I push the wrong button?' "If I use the machine will the tellers still like me?" "No sweat, Mom, even a kid could do it Cook also spends time planning services to the ' Fruitland, Hanna, and. Tabiona areas, arclinics, ranging and teaching CPR and first-aiHe is active throughout the state teaching What to do until the ambulance arrives. He was recently elected as the Duchesne County Emergency Medical Services District President. At the same ceremonies, Robert Park was presented with the 1988 Presidential Award, for his volunteer time given to the community and the school He has been an EMT since 1976. blood-pressu- re d. William Cook Gee, can I handle all this freedom?" |