Adult Education and Family Literacy Week

This week (9/23-9/29) is National Adult Education and Family Literacy Week. What does this mean? Here's what the Illinois Community College Board says about this special week: 

"This annual event underscores the continued demand for programs and services for adult students who need to improve basic skills in reading, writing, and math and obtain a high school equivalency certificate. More than 36 million adults nationwide, including 1.2 million in Illinois, lack basic literacy skills that limit their ability to advance in education and at work."

Here are some reasons why literacy and adult education are so important: 

• Workers w/ a HS diploma and above are less likely to be on gov’t support, saving states & federal gov’t money.
• College degree gap needs to be filled by adults currently in workforce. Not enough HS grads to meet demand.
• A mother’s reading skill is the greatest determinant of her children’s future academic success, outweighing all else 
• There is no substitute for the parent’s / primary caregiver’s role as a child’s 1st teacher, best coach, & most concerned advocate
• Students who drop out tend to earn less and have a lower quality of life. #AEFLWeek
• Many HS drop-outs must work multiple jobs just to support their family. C more adult literacy facts
• Adult Ed helps immigrants integrate into the U.S. 
• Limited English language proficiency is a barrier for immigrants to meaningful employment in the U.S. 
• English language proficiency is critical to obtaining jobs commensurate with immigrants’ competencies.

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