Sound Learning helps people become more literate

According to the U.S. Department of Education, about 48 million American adults cannot read above a third-grade level.

"People are stigmatized and shamed for low literacy, for not being able to read the newspaper, not being able to help their kids with their homework," said Shannon Klasell, executive director of the nonprofit Sound Learning in downtown Shelton.

This is national Adult Education and Family Literacy Week, as designated by the U.S. Congress. The nonprofit organization ProLiteracy is using Sept. 15-21 to raise awareness about who adult learners are and to destigmatize the shame that is associated with low literacy.

Seventy-five percent of prison inmates did not complete high school or can be classified as low literate, according to the U.S. Bureau of Justice. ProLiteracy quotes a report that states inmates who participate in correctional education programs are 43% less likely to recidivate than inmates who do not.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports workers who have less education than a high school diploma have the lowest median weekly earnings at $592. That's three times less than the highest level of education.

Adults should possess the ability to read or write a contract, Klasell said. "You have to know what you're signing."

"Reading and writing is the foundation of slowly getting into education," she said.

When it comes to adults becoming more literate, "it's not that people don't want to do it," she said. "They haven't had the opportunity."

That's where Sound Learning comes in. In the late 1980s, Simpson Lumber Co. offered the Read Right reading improvement program to employees at its mill to improve communication and productivity. After being deemed a success, the program was given to the community and became the nonprofit Mason County Literacy. The name was changed to Sound Learning in 2011 and services were expanded to Thurston County.

Sound Learning has served more than 6,000 students during its 33 years. The nonprofit offers Adult Basic Education classes, High School Plus to help adults earn a high school program, GED classes, English as a Second Language, and preparation for citizenship. Sound Learning offers formal classroom instruction, distance learning and one-on-one tutoring.

Eight employees and a crew of volunteers, mostly retirees, work from Sound Learning's office at 133 W. Railroad Ave. Free books are available inside the office, outside the front door in a kiosk and at the annual OysterFest event. At the annual Halloween event in downtown Shelton, employees hand out candy and books.

Sound Learning's mission statement is "We educate adults to succeed and contribute to our community."

"It doesn't matter if it's here in Shelton or Olympia or Belfair," said Ava Taylor, assistant director and basic studies instructor for Sound Learning. "So they feel like they're more in touch with their community."

Many of Sound Learning's students are immigrants from Guatemala and Mexico. According to the Pew Research Center, the United States has the world's largest immigrant population at 50.6 million. The center reports only 53% are proficient English speakers.

"Some people are highly educated, just not in English," Taylor said of some of their students.

"They need the English to get back to those levels," Klasell said.

Taylor highlighted the challenges of some local immigrants.

"My Guatemalan students all speak their indigenous language, learn Spanish at school - if they go to school - and then come here and learn English," she said. "They're trilingual."

Their students are also learning "social literacy," Taylor said. "It's not just the parents teaching the kids, it's the kids teaching the parents."

Also, "in older age, literacy means so much more than reading," Taylor said. "Are you computer literate? Math literate?"

In that vein, Sound Learning offers basic skills classes in math, technology and preparation for career and college.

Tuition is $25 per quarter. Financial assistance is available, if needed. New students can start at any time. In-person classes are conducted from 6 to 8:15 p.m. Monday through Thursday. In-person and distance learning opportunities are available using a computer or cell phone.

For more information, call 360-426-9733 or email [email protected].