News

Calhoun Community College Adult Education Program Recognizes National Adult Education and Family Literacy Week

September 24, 2018

Decatur, AL – The Adult Education program at Calhoun Community College joins similar programs across the nation in observance of National Adult Education and Family Literacy Week this week, September 23-29.

According to information published by the National Coalition for Literacy, 36 million adults in the United States struggle with basic academic skills, making it difficult to function effectively as workers, parents, citizens and consumers in today’s society. Adult education services help to break the cycles of intergenerational illiteracy and poverty by giving adults the skills they need to be successful as workers and parents.

“Adult Education and Literacy Week provides an opportunity for us to shine a light on all of the wonderful, free services that we provide throughout the year in our quest to improve the lives of those we serve,” commented Dana Wolfe, director of Calhoun’s Adult Education program.

“Our free programs include classes to prepare individuals needing their GED; preparation for WorkKeys testing; English as a Second language classes; advanced manufacturing certification; and boot camps preparing students for NCCER (National Center for Construction Education and Research) certification,” Wolfe added. “Our motto truly describes our program’s mission: ‘We live to make a difference,” Wolfe said.

For more information on free Adult Education services at Calhoun Community College, visit the program’s website at www.calhoun.edu/adulted or call 256-306-2830 in Decatur or 256-890-4729.

Facts about Adult Education and Family Literacy:

  • Nearly 30% of adults with household incomes at or below the poverty line do not have high school credentials.
  • Individuals with high school credentials earn about $10,000 more annually than those without.
  • Education levels had more effect on earnings over a 40-year span than any other demographic factor.
  • Approximately 37% of adults enrolled in adult education are unemployed.
  • As of 2018, 63% of all U.S. jobs require education beyond high school. Yet, nearly half of the workforce has only a high school education or less and/or low English proficiency.

Source: www.national-coalition-literacy.org