Changing Lives For The Better Through Adult Education ▬ TSPR

Changing Lives For The Better Through Adult Education

TSPR: 10.23.2019 by Cyndi Johnston, ESL- Literacy Coord, Spoon River College-Macomb

Without a high school diploma, opportunities in life are limited. Finding a job can be more challenging; unemployment rates are much higher; and pay above minimum wage is unlikely. Generally, minimum wage isn't even enough to pay monthly bills and provide for a family. So, to make ends meet, individuals are often forced to work two jobs, often part-time, and without medical benefits.

Among those between the ages of 18-24, high school dropouts are more than twice as likely as college graduates to live in poverty according to the Department of Education. Those without a diploma experienced a poverty rate of 31 percent while those with at least a bachelor’s degree had a poverty rate of 14 percent. Having only enough money to pay rent, utility bills, and put gas in a car leaves very little leftover for food.

The average high school dropout can expect to earn an average income [BLS] of around $20,000 according to the U. S. Census Bureau. That’s a full $10,000 less than the typical high school graduate and $36,000 less than someone with a bachelor’s degree.

Opportunities in the United States are also limited if for those not proficient in the English language. Most employers require from their employees a high level of speaking, reading, and often writing in English.  LISTEN 04:43

 

Automatic Readability Checker

Based on 7 readability formulas:

Grade Level: 9

Reading Level: fairly difficult to read.

Reader's Age: 13-15 yrs. old

(Eighth and Ninth graders)