Literacy – Spanning the US :: Sussex Co DE :: Durham Co NC :: Fort Worth TX

Literacy: Spanning the U.S.     

@litdelaware

Low Literacy a Crisis in Sussex County

Cape Gazette: 2.05.2019 by Glenn Schuster, Director of Outreach, Literacy Delaware

Approximately 68,000 adult Delawareans function at the lowest literacy level.  That is a stunning statistic considering Delaware has a population of only 925,000.  Many of these people reside in Sussex County.  They are able to read at most, a child’s simple picture book (i.e. “Hop on Pop”).  Adults who are illiterate or who possess low literacy skills cannot complete a job application, or take a written driver’s exam.

They cannot read a bus schedule, or street signs, or understand written instructions provided by a medical professional in a doctor’s office or emergency room or even on a medicine label.  They cannot help their children with homework.  A computer keyboard is daunting and intimidating to those who cannot understand it.  Surrounding all of these disadvantages are the low self-esteem and embarrassment that accompany not being able to read. 

Low literacy costs our state millions in tax revenue.  Adults with low literacy skills have twice the unemployment rate as their literate peers.  Not working means no tax revenue, no spending, and reliance on social services. Our country’s economy loses $225 billion yearly due to limited literacy.  

Poor literacy skills are closely linked to poverty and health issues.  Research shows 43 percent of persons living at or below the level of poverty have low literacy skills or are lower skilled in English proficiency.  Preventive health behaviors are poor.  Adults with low literacy skills have healthcare costs three times more than you or I.  Our country spends an extra $238 billion in extra healthcare costs due to limited literacy.  READ MORE >>

@durhamliteracy

Inaugural Durham County Detention Center High School Equivalency Program Graduation

Dconc.gov: 1.31.2019 by AnnMarie Breen

In October of 2018, the Durham County Detention Center received approval from The North Carolina Community College System to become a certified testing site for the High School Equivalency Test or HiSET.  Durham Technical Community College facilitated the detention center in achieving the certification which allows inmates to receive their equivalency diplomas while still detained.

Through the Sheriff’s Office partnership with the Durham Literacy Center, inmates who enroll in classes to prepare for the HiSET now earn their diploma while detained or incarcerated. This opens up opportunities for them to contribute positively to the community upon release.  Giving graduates the credentials, they need to enroll in college programs and apply for jobs through our partnership with the Local Re-Entry Council.

Literacy Center staff teach the high school equivalency classes twice a week with new sessions beginning every two months. Before the detention center became a certified site, those completing the class received a referral to register to take their final testing at Durham Technical Community College after their release. This delay between class participation and testing resulted in the loss of memory of material learned or inability to register for testing.  Now that the detention center offers the equivalency test, there will no longer be a time gap allowing more people to graduate.

In addition to the HiSET prep classes, the Durham Literacy Center also offers a Job/Life Skills program.  All the classes are voluntary and are open to anyone. Earning a diploma and learning life skills like goal setting, resume development and knowledge of resources for justice-involved people, gives those completing one or both programs the tools they need to succeed upon release.  READ MORE >>

@TarrantLit

ESL Student Becomes a Successful Real Estate Agent

ProLiteracy Blog: 2.05.2019 by Jennifer Vecchiarelli, Student Stories, Stories from the Field

Flor went to Tarrant Literacy Coalition in Fort Worth, Texas, in 2012 to get help studying for the GED® exam. Tarrant Literacy Coalition connects adult learners with local literacy services, and provides training and technical support to literacy tutors and volunteers.

Flor was determined to study for and pass the high school equivalency exam so that she could take the next step in her life and go to college. She previously enrolled in other GED programs, however none of them met her learning and language needs. Spanish is Flor’s native language, and although she had already learned to read, write, and speak English, she was still lacked confidence her abilities and she struggled in those other classes.  READ MORE >>