Hazleton Area Partners in Education has developed five points for action to improve education in 1996 and is seeking public involvement on task teams related to those action items.

The five points for action are in response to a recent survey on the community's perceptions of its education system.

The action items are:

-- Reduce the adult illiteracy rate in the greater Hazleton area.

-- Reduce the use of alcohol and other drugs, including tobacco, and the incidence of violence in the area schools.

-- Establish a Small Learning Community (SLC) to enhance student achievement and better prepare students with the academic and vocational-related skills needed in the workplace. The SLC program will feature nontraditional assignments such as case studies, work visits, community projects and interdisciplinary projects. All students currently enrolled in the service areas of child care, cosmetology and culinary arts at the Hazleton Area Career Center will participate.

-- Explore the Child-Find Program. This program involves evaluating children who have special needs and referring them to the appropriate community services to meet their needs.

-- Work with the Hazleton Chamber of Commerce and CAN-DO to address the needs of the business community and address the school-to-work initiative.

"Partners in Education has formed task teams to carry out each action item and is looking for citizens and organizations to step forward and help," said Martha Herron, Hazleton community development director at PP&L and co-chairwoman for PIE. "Each citizen has the responsibility to help build a strong educational community and work force."

Following are the individuals and organizations who have already agreed to be part of the task teams:

James Leib, Luzerne County Human Resource Development Department, will head the adult literacy task team with representatives from the Hazleton Literacy Volunteers, including the Jewish Community Center, the Hazleton Area Public Library and the Hazleton United Way.

Ed Pane, executive director of Serento Gardens in Hazleton, will oversee the alcohol and other drugs task team. The team will work with representatives of the Hazleton area police, Hazleton Area School District student board of directors; Elaine McBride, a nurse from the Hazleton Area School District, and the Drug-Free Hazleton Task Force.

Tom Widitz, president of the Hazleton Area Education Association and math teacher at the Hazleton Area High School, and William "Bill" Flood, chief executive officer of Highway Supply and Equipment Co., will head the task team focusing on preparing students for the workplace. Academic and vocational teachers from the Hazleton Area School District also will take part.

Ellen Eachus, parent representative for the Hazleton Area School District, and Jim Settle, executive director of the Hazleton United Way, are working with the Luzerne Wyoming Intervention program through Luzerne County to explore the Child-Find program.

Jim Boyle, president of the Hazleton Chamber of Commerce, will lead the team addressing the needs of the business community and the school-to-work initiative.

"We look forward to working together with individuals and organizations such as the Hazleton Area Literacy Volunteers, Hazleton Chamber of Commerce, CAN-DO, Hazleton area police, and the Hazleton United Way to carry out our first five action plans," said Dr. Edward Lyba, director of pupil services at the Hazleton Area High School and co-chairman of PIE. "These are only a few of the organizations that already have programs in place. We need other organizations to help us. We want to mobilize the entire community for our children."

The action points were developed by PIE's executive committee and approved by its steering committee March 27. Each action point is tied to one or more of the eight national education goals.

The Hazleton Partners in Education was formed in 1992. Its mission is to better coordinate the educational resources available in Hazleton to meet the work force needs of the community.

For more information on becoming a task team member, call Herron at (717) 459-7314 or Lyba at (717) 459-3111, extension 3125.