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Did you know that... These statistics translate into a vastly reduced standard of living for such individuals and their families. Forty-three percent of people with the lowest literacy skills live in poverty, 17% receive food stamps, and 70% have no job or a part-time job only. Workers who lack a high school diploma earn 60 cents for every dollar earned by a high school graduate, and 34 cents for every dollar earned by a college graduate.
As the education level of adults improves, so does their children’s success in school. Helping low-literate adults improve their basic skills has a direct and measurable impact on both the education and quality of life of their children. Children of adults who participate in literacy programs improve their reading skills, grades and test scores and are less likely to drop out of school.
The Greenville Literacy Association seeks to improve the lives of adults who function at a low literacy level by offering classes in Adult Basic Education (ABE)/ Pre-GED, concentrating on reading, writing, spelling and mathematics instruction, as well as English as a Second Language (ESL), targeted to the large influx of immigrants in the Greenville area in recent years.
The objectives for all programs center on the students' commitment to their individual study plans so that they make educational gains. - Greenville Literacy staff interviews and helps adult learners to set goals and then enrolls them in as many activities as their work and family schedules will allow.
- Tutor-led sessions may be one-on-one or small group.
- Computer-assisted instruction is an integral component in our differentiated learning environment.
- Day and evening classes with open entry and/or managed enrollment classes help to meet the adult students' scheduling needs.
- With attention to our accountability as a community-based organization, Greenville Literacy uses National Reporting System data managed by the LACES database to measure the success of our students and programs.
Adult Basic Education Results
Greenville Literacy's impact on the community in its July 1, 2008 - June 30, 2009, fiscal year was substantial. The organization served 857 adults in the ABE program, 126 of whom had completed no more than eight years of formal education. All ethnicities were represented in its student population, with an age range of 17 to over 60.
Success rates for these students were significant. - 94% of the active ABE students studied 12 hours or more, reaching a benchmark of adult education, and studied an average of 85 hours.
- 68% achieved the 30-hour instruction goal.
- 170 students completed one ABE level.
- 186 completed two or more ABE levels.
- 26 students received their GEDs.
The gains these Greenville Literacy students have made will assist them in reaching personal and family financial goals or continuing their educations.
In addition, Greenville Literacy provided reading enrichment and homework assistance for the children of these adult learners while their parents attended classes. Forty children participated in ABE family literacy during this time period.
English as a Second Language Results
Greenville Literacy served 1,673 adults in the ESL program from July 1, 2008 - June 30, 2009. All ethnicities were represented, with the highest numbers coming from the Hispanic community. Ages ranged from 17 to over 65, and 567 students had eight years of formal education or less.
Once again, success rates were impressive. - 87% of the active ESL sutdents studied 12 hours or more, studying an average of 57 hours.
- 54% achieved the 30-hour instruction goal during the fiscal year.
- 274 completed one ESL level.
- 296 completed two or more ESL levels.
- 9 were awarded U.S. citizenship.
Literacy learning centers provide reading enrichment and homework assistance for the children of these students while their parents attended class. During this period, 183 children participated in ESL family literacy.
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