Programs

Why do we offer these programs?

Adult Education

- English as a Second Language

- Open Book/ Adult Basic Education (ABE)

Early Childhood Education

Parent and Family Support Services

English as a Second Language (ESL)

Focus Points is one of the main providers of English as a Second Language (ESL) classes in metro Denver, offering dozens of classes at a varity of levels, schedules and locations. Depending on fluency, a learner can test into one of five levels of English classes at our main site. To maintain high quality, all classes are limited to 25 students. Focus Points hires highly-trained professionals; many have adult literacy certificates and/or authorizations.

In 2008, more than 1,200 adults registered for calsses and improved their English language skills at Focus Points. ESL classes are offered throughout the year. ESL students are tested using the CASAS Listening test at the beginning and end of each semester, and the results are monitored and published by the Colorado Department of Education. Focus Points also collects outcome, attendance and demographic information about ESL and ABE participants using an online database called CAESAR.

Expected Result: 40% of adults who participate in Focus Points' ESL classes for at least one year will improve their proficiency in English by at least one Educational Functioning Level.

To download a flyer about Focus Points' ESL classes click here.

Open Book Literacy/Adult Basic Education (ABE)

Open Book is a program that focuses on adults with reading levels between 0 and 8.9.  Beginning with basic reading skills, students advance through a series of classes to a full academic curriculum to prepare them for the GED.  It is the goal of Open Book to provide all students with greater independence and self-sufficiency in their lives.

Open Book began as a small organization called Project Learn in the early 1990s and acquired its current name in 1995. In 2006, it became a component of Focus Points Family Resource Center. Since its inception, Open Book has grown tremendously. Initially, it focused only on literacy for very low-level readers and offered only individual services. Later, Open Book incorporated the Lindamood-Bell© learning process which proved very effective with adults. In 2008, Open Book included pre-GED instruction into the curriculum for the High Intermediate 6 - 8.9 reading level. Learners who cannot meet during the class times are paired with a tutor with whom they meet weekly.

Students are regularly tested using the TABE and/or the CASAS Reading test. Those results are shared with the Colorado Department of Education. Open Book serves approximately 50 learners in each of four semesters each year.

Expected Result: 45% of adults who participate in ABE classes for at least one year will improve their proficiency in English by one educational grade level.

To download a flyer about Open Book click here.

English as a Second Language (ESL)

• Classes for adults (ages 17+) contributing to their English language acquisition (listening, speaking, reading & writing)
  • Dozens of classes at a variety of levels, schedules and locations.
  • Highly-trained, professional instructors; many have adult literacy certificates and/or authorizations
• Increasing learners’ ability to engage their community through a life skills curriculum
• Serving approximately 800 learners per year

Open Book Literacy/Adult Basic Education (ABE)

• Classes for English-speaking adults (17+ years) with reading levels between 0 and 8.9
  • Reading improvement as the core focus of the program
  • Small classes and/or individual tutoring
  • Instructor-led pre-GED classes in all GED subject areas
• Enabling learners to engage in and improve their employment and gain greater independence and self-sufficiency
• Serving approximately 50 learners in each of four semesters each year