Sept. 21, 2017
DOVER — On Monday, Sept. 21 Dover Adult Learning Center students, teachers, board and staff, representatives of the Greater Dover Chamber of Commerce Business and Education Partnership, and the Bureau of Adult Education gathered at noon to mark National Adult Education and Family Literacy Week.
Governor John Sununu has also proclaimed the week of September 25-30 as Adult Education and Family Literacy Week in the State of New Hampshire.
According to the governor’s proclamation more than 36 million Americans can’t read or write at the most basic level, while 60 million lack basic math skills, as well as the credentials and skills necessary to succeed in post-secondary education.
Each year, one in three young adults drops out of high school, and the American Action Forum estimates that by 2020, America will be short an estimated 7.5 million private sector workers across all skill levels; and New Hampshire has one of the highest levels of high school graduates in the country, but there are still roughly 125,000 adults without high school credentials; and
“Last year 1,560 New Hampshire residents earned their high school diploma or equivalent certificate; and Adult Education programs contribute to solving these challenges by helping Americans move along in the continuum in their educational journey to achieve basic skills and get prepared for career and college,” the proclamation reads. “Adult Education programs in high schools and adult schools, community colleges, and community centers offer low cost, high value programs that upgrade the skill sets of our citizens.”
At the ceremony current students and staff read the proclamation and then enjoyed cake and conversation.
Adult Education serves adults, 16 years of age and older, who are no longer enrolled in school and who are functioning below the 12th grade level. Services include teaching foundation skills in reading, math, and English, coupled with college and career readiness skills that lead to employment or the transition to post-secondary education or certifications.
The demand for more educated workers continues to grow. By 2020, 65 percent of all jobs will require some level of postsecondary education. Yet, nearly half of the U.S. workforce—about 88 million of 188 million adults aged 18 to 64—has only a high school education or less, and/or low English proficiency. By next year, only 10 percent of jobs will be open to those who fail to complete high school and only 28 percent will be open to those with only a high-school diploma, according to the Commission on Adult Basic Education.
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It is the mission of the Dover Adult Learning Center of Strafford County to help adults in the Strafford County area enhance their life skills and improve their lives through basic education, job training, high school completion and enrichment classes. We help our students become more effective lifelong learners, family members, workers and citizens.