adult education

"We have to find a way to fund TOPS for grown folks," says Louisiana Community and Technical College System president Monty Sullivan, especially since the…

Adults who can't read, write or speak English well affect all of society, in a variety of ways. They contribute less to the economy, cost communities more for government benefits and health services, and are disproportionately represented in the criminal justice system.

A typical adult education program can take years for those who dropped out of high school. But a model that started in Washington state shortens that time and uses a combination of team teaching, internships and extra support to boost student skills and get them into the workforce.

Millions of adults struggle every day with basic tasks, like reading a bill or a bus schedule. Those with limited literacy find all kinds of ways to hide their rudimentary schooling. Many are unemployed. And those who have jobs are usually stuck at the lowest rungs of the economic ladder.