By By Lindsey Sherrill
The Atmore Public Library has received $22,000 for new technology to help students pass the Alabama High School Graduation Exam.
The money, a $17,500 grant from the Alabama Library Service and a $4,500 donation from the Friends of the Library, is part of the Library Services Technology Grant.
The APL worked with the Escambia County School System to develop a program to help students receive help or remediation for the AHSGE, said Joyce Bolden of the Atmore Public Library. The program involves software to help tutor the students in several subject areas and to take practice tests. The practice tests are timed and very similar to the actual exam, allowing students to see their scores and areas that need improvement.
The software includes Skills Bank, a program designed to tutor reading, writing, language, basic/intermediate math, algebra and science; World View American History and Cyber-Ed Biology. These programs have been proven to help students who have failed or are in danger of failing the AHSGE. The APL purchased three new computers to supplement the program.
"It's very expensive software, but we thought it would be well worth it," Bolden said.
In addition to the software, the library will assist students in internet research and use of the Alabama Virtual Library. Office software is also available for students working on reports and research projects.
The after school remediation program is available Monday through Friday from 3 to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. The library encourages students from public, private and home school to take advantage of the program.
"The students can use this anytime," Bolden said. "If they will call in advance we will have a computer available for them."