June 14, 2001
For Immediate Release
Contact: Holly Brooker
(845) 255-1450 xt.1301

"Many people have obstacles, such as transportation, keeping them from coming to a class. That's why we have distance-learning, which is our fastest growing literacy program," says Richard Wiesenthal, literary coordinator for Ulster BOCES.

Ulster BOCES has four distance-learning literacy programs: GRASP (Giving Rural Adults A Study Program); Another Page; Math Basics; and Crossroads Cafe.

GRASP is targeted to students who read and compute above the ninth-grade level. Another Page and Math Basics are pre-GED programs for reading and math. Crossroads Cafe is an ESL program for students who are at an intermediate-level in speaking, reading, and writing, but desire more fluency.

Distance-learning is different from independent study or home study, which may often have little or no teacher-student interaction. Distance-learning is a formal approach to learning in which the majority of interaction occurs while the teacher and student are at a distance from one another. This method enables students to learn anytime and at any place. Though it allows students to be self-directed, there is at least weekly two-way communication between student and teacher through telephone or on-line interaction.

The Ulster BOCES distance-learning program uses the Mid-Hudson Library System as a conduit for picking up and delivering teaching materials to students. The packets, which are sent by the teacher to the student’s local library, often include video learning tapes, as well as print material. The Internet, telephone, and teleconferencing are used as teaching methods to supplement the learning packets.

In addition to its distance-learning and traditional literacy classroom programs, Ulster BOCES has developed a variety of literacy and other partnerships with area institutions. These include providing literacy and life-skills training to clients at the Ulster County Association of Retarded Citizens (UARC) and Gateway Industries, as well as literacy and vocational training to Samaritan Village and Renaissance House in Ellenville.

Ulster BOCES has also teamed up with the Ulster County YWCA in Even Start, a family literacy program. Geared to families with children under age seven, Even Start helps parents get their high school diploma or GED and provides parenting education, as well as literacy activities for pre-school children.

All programs are free to participants. To register for classroom or distance-learning programs, call the literacy coordinator at (845) 331-0902, ext. 225. To register for Even Start, call the YWCA at (845) 338-2042. Ulster BOCES also operates Even Start at its site in Ellenville. For more information call (845) 647-1343.