Adult education is a system of education
Answers
Answer:
The adult education system refers to programs across the US that offer instruction ranging from basic literacy and numeracy and English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) to high school diploma equivalency, and college and career readiness.
Answer:
WHAT IS THE ADULT EDUCATION SYSTEM?
The adult education system refers to programs across the US that offer instruction ranging from basic
literacy and numeracy and English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) to high school diploma
equivalency, and college and career readiness.
Need: In the US, over 30 million adults do not have a high school diploma and 20% of US adults with a
high school diploma have only beginning literacy skills. The US ranked 21st in numeracy and 16th in
literacy out of 24 countries in a recent assessment of adults’ skills.i
Two-thirds of U.S. adults scored at
the two lowest levels of proficiency in solving problems in technology-rich environments. Yet, the
publicly funded adult education system is able to serve only slightly over 2 million young and older
adults per year.ii
There are waiting lists for classes in all 50 states.iii Current funding cannot begin to
meet the need.
Providers: Adult education programs operate as free-standing organizations or as part of school
districts, community colleges, municipalities, multi-services centers, libraries, faith-based organizations,
housing developments, workplaces, and unions. Instruction is delivered by mostly part-time teachers
and volunteer tutors.
Teacher Preparation: Given that the majority of adult education teachers do not receive pre-service
training beyond an orientation, in-service training is critical to ensure high quality services.
Funding: The national, average annual expenditure per adult learner is around $800. By contrast, the
national, average annual per-pupil expenditure on public elementary and secondary education
nationally is over $10,000. Adult education programs receive less than 10% of the amount of federal,
state, and local funding that goes to K-12, and less than 5% of what is spent to support higher
education.iv
WHO ARE THE ADULT LEARNERS?
Working Poor or Those Looking for Work: In 2010-11, 41% of adults enrolled in adult basic education
were unemployed and 31% were employed; the rest were not in the labor forcev
. Enrollments in adult
education have skyrocketed across the nation during the recession as adults are laid off and unable to
find new jobs.
Youth: Every year, over three million youth drop out of school.vi
They join the 6.7 million youth
between the ages of 16 and 24 who are neither enrolled in school nor participating in the labor
market.vii
When they decide to complete their education, they enroll in adult education.
Immigrants: By 2030, nearly one in five US workers will be an immigrant.viii English Language Learners
are a rapidly growing population across the nation.
Parents: Most adult learners are parents and primary caregivers of school-age children. Many are
motivated to return to school by wanting to serve as better role models for their children and help their
children succeed in school.