We offer free one-one-one tutoring for those wishing to learn to read, improve their literacy skills, or learn English as a second language. We also have GED class, and EL Civics classes as well.
The Culpeper Literacy Council was formed in January, 1987 when a group of concerned citizens from the community met at St. Stephen's Episcopal Church to discuss the need for improved literacy services. St. Stephen's provided a start-up grant of $1,500 and temporary housing to initiate the Council. Starting as a one-on-one volunteer tutoring organization, it offered free services to those adults in this community who could not read or had low literacy skills. It was quickly discovered that a number of adults in the community had higher educational functioning levels, but lacked a high school diploma or GED (General Educational Development). A paid teacher was provided to instruct GED students. The class expanded to include adults incarcerated through volunteer services of Al Costanzo. Over the years the Council has met the needs of a growing ESOL (English speakers of other languages population).
Family literacy partnerships have been a part of the Council's history, too and include summer reading programs, monthly family literacy newsletters and yearbooks.
The revision of the GED test has required the Council to receive extensive training to prepare for the new test transition.
The Council provides free tutor training to adults in Culpeper, Fauquier, Madison, Orange, and Rappahannock Counties to better serve the needs of the population. Tutor training is based on demand for services and is usually done once a year.
In the 16 years the Council has been serving the Culpeper community, many changes have taken place in adult education. The Council has grown in size and programs to meet the needs. Additionally, the Council has been sensitive to the transformation in adult education on the state and national levels and has made accommodations locally when it was beneficial to those we serve.
Written by: Margaret Buraker
Published: Spring 2003