What Is The Adult Education System ? via World Education

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Adult Ed Facts

World Education: 2014

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.

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.

There are waiting lists for classes in all 50 states.

Current levels of federal and state funding combined do not come close to meeting 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 many 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.

Who Are The Adult Learners?

Working Poor or Those Looking for Work:

63% of adults with low academic skills are employed but earn low wages and lack the preparation to go to college.

Youth:

Every year, over three million youth drop out of school.

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.

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.

Nearly 20 million U.S. adults have limited English proficiency.

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.  READ MORE  >>