January 9, 2001

WKU Elementary Education Students Reach Out To Youth Through Learning Center Project

Bowling Green, Ky. - A grant-funded project is helping Western Kentucky University elementary education students reach out to youth in Bowling Green.

For the second year in a row, General Motors and the Corvette Assembly Plant provided a $20,000 grant to the W.R.O.T.E. (We're Reaching Out To Educate) Foundation and the Housing Authority of Bowling Green.

The grant contributes to the operating expenses of Western's Fast Lane Workforce Training Project located at W.R.O.T.E. Learning Centers in Bowling Green.

"This project provides a very positive experience for our students," said Dr. Theron Thompson, assistant professor of education and project director. "It gives them the opportunity to meet students outside the classroom and is a service project in the community."

The learning centers house after-school educational programs "to provide small group classes, tutoring and one-on-one instruction for children in and around the Housing Authority," Dr. Thompson said.

Western students in two elementary education courses, Teaching Strategies and Student Diversity in the Classroom, work with primary through 10th grade students on reading, math and critical thinking skills.

About 50 Western students will participate in the project this semester and will assist about 150 young students, Dr. Thompson said.

Western students, faculty and center personnel work with young students from 2:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. daily at the centers on Double Springs Road and Angora Court.
Dr. Thompson called the educational and community service project a win-win situation for all those involved at Western and at the Housing Authority.

"We're fulfilling the field experience requirement for our education courses in an authentic context," he said. "And we're providing tutoring and academic assistance to children."

For more information, contact Dr. Theron Thompson at (270) 745-6549 or Dr. Cindy Houston at (270) 745-8833.