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The Cape Breton Literacy Network Association (CBLNA) works in partnership with The Community Learning Association North of Smokey (CLANS), the Cape Breton Victoria Regional School Board (CBVRSB) and the Nova Scotia Community College's Marconi Campus to deliver the adult education programs that make up the Nova Scotia School for Adult Learning (NSSAL) in the Cape Breton region. Other than the one on one tutoring opportunities offered to local residents by Laubach Literacy volunteers, the Cape Breton Literacy Network Association is the only provider of pre-high school level upgrading programs for adults in the Cape Breton region, south of Cape Smokey. The Cape Breton Literacy Network Association provides free upgrading classes for all adults 19 years of age and over, who have been out of school for at least one year and who wish to improve their reading, writing, math and technology skills. Before beginning classes, students are informally assessed to determine their skill levels and helped to identify their learning goals. Qualified instructors follow the Nova Scotia Adult Learning Program, Levels 1 and 2 (grades 1 - 8) in all classes. Completion of Level 2 can lead to admission to the Level 3 program at the Nova Scotia Community College or the CBVRSB Adult High Schools and eventually to achievement of the Nova Scotia High School Diploma for Adults. Both daytime and evening classes are available; and there is a choice of fulltime and part-time classes. Classes run from October to May and may be started at any time.
Each year a significant number of adults participate in CBLNA programs and achieve a wide variety of outcomes: along with an improved quality of personal life, many move on to higher level educational programs and/or to employment. Programs offered by the CBLNA thus have a significant impact upon Cape Breton communities. This school year, 2003-2004, CBLNA will offer a total of 11 full/part-time programs in five Cape Breton region communities: Glace Bay, Sydney, New Waterford, North Sydney and Baddeck. These classes will begin on September 29 and run until the end of May 2004. More than 150 adults are currently registered for these classes. Anyone interested in obtaining more information about CBLNA programs can call the Sydney Adult Learning Centre at 564-8404. A literacy resource centre is located at the Sydney Adult Learning Centre at 216 Charlotte Street for the use of literacy instructors and the general public, along with access to meeting space and training opportunities. In addition, CBLNA has a strong history of developing partnerships with a wide range of other community agencies and organizations in order to advance the work of both partners. The work of the CBLNA has led to greater awareness of literacy issues in the region.CBLNA also provides volunteer opportunities for community members who are interested in working with adult students under the direction and supervision of an instructor. Volunteer tutor application forms are available at any CBLNA Learning Centre or interested persons can call 564-8404 for more information. The Cape Breton Literacy Network (CBLN) was organized in 1989 by the Nova Scotia Department of Education=s Adult Education Coordinator to provide a forum for those interested in literacy issues to network and seek solutions to community concerns. The Cape Breton Literacy Network Association (CBLNA) is the corporate entity responsible for the implementation of the goals and objectives of the Network. In September, 1999, it was registered with Nova Scotia Joint Stocks as a nonprofit society and also became a federally registered charitable organization at that time. The Network/Network Association has been sponsoring community based adult upgrading classes in the Cape Breton region since 1993. For more information, contact : Cape Breton Literacy Network, P.O. Box 1283 Sydney, NS B1P 6J9 Tel. (902) 5645667 Fax (902) 5648403 Email: cbln@ns.sympatico.ca, Web: http://www.nald.ca/cbln
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