Adult Education and Family Literacy Week in HSC

Adult Education and Family Literacy Week in Hot Spring County

Jan Robertson, ASU Three Rivers Adult Education WAGE Coordinator & Literacy Council of Hot Spring County (LCHSC) Vice President, along with Lisa Carpenter, ASU Three Rivers Adult Education Director, met with HSC Judge Dennis Thornton this week to witness Thornton’s proclamations marking Sept. 15-21, 2024, as Adult Education and “Family Literacy Week for Hot Spring County.

The proclamations recognize the myriad of struggles facing adults in Hot Spring County who need higher education and what those struggles can mean for their families. Thornton also points out how vitally important Adult Education programs are for HSC citizens.

“…all adults have the right to an education that enhances their ability to affect positive changes in their lives…all adults have the right to complete their education through the high school level;…adult basic education provides basic skills instruction in reading, writing, and math to adult learners functioning below the ninth-grade level…ASU Three Rivers Adult Education offers GED, Basic Skills Enhancement, College and Career Access Program (CCAP), English as a Second Language (ESL), Integrated Education and Training (IET), and Workforce Alliance for Growth in the Economy (WAGE*M).”—PROCLAMATION ‘PROCLAIMING SEPTEMBER 15-21, 2024, AS ADULT EDUCATION WEEK IN HOT SPRING COUNTY’

Importance of Adult Education Programs

• All adults have the right to an education that enhances their ability to affect positive changes in their lives.
• All adults have the right to complete their education through the high school level.
• Adult basic education provides basic skills instruction in reading, writing, and math to adult learners functioning below the ninth-grade level.

ASU Three Rivers Adult Education Programs

• GED
• Basic Skills Enhancement
• College and Career Access Program (CCAP)
• English as a Second Language (ESL)
• Integrated Education and Training (IET)
• Workforce Alliance for Growth in the Economy (WAGE*M)

“…the Literacy Council of Hot Spring County provides free literacy tutoring and materials for adults, eliminating the cost barrier that most of their students face; and…tutors in many different areas of literacy: digital, financial, family, health, basic math, writing, and reading literacies…the Literacy Council of Hot Spring County can help you: obtain a driver’s license, prepare for a job, read to children, use recipes, plan a budget, have more confidence through knowledge, and to improve your quality of life.”—PROCLAMATION ‘PROCLAIMING SEPTEMBER 15-21, 2024, AS FAMILY LITERACY WEEK IN HOT SPRING COUNTY’

Services Provided by the Literacy Council of Hot Spring County

• Free literacy tutoring and materials
• Tutors in various areas of literacy: digital, financial, family, health, basic math, writing, and reading literacies
• Assistance with obtaining a driver’s license, job preparation, reading to children, using recipes, budget planning, and improving quality of life

The countywide proclamations coincide with the observance of National Adult Education and Family Literacy Week (Sept. 16-20) and coordinated Open House events at Adult Education Centers across the state.

“This event invites all Arkansans to discover the wide range of education, training, and workforce preparation services offered at the Centers,” according to a Sept. 10 press release by the Arkansas Workforce Connections, Office of Adult Education.

An Open House for the ASU Three Rivers Adult Education – Malvern facility, located at 1735 E. Sullenberger Ave., takes place today from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. The center is located at the opposite end of the building from Head Start.

ASU Three Rivers Adult Education Program

• GED Preparation
• WAGE
• ESL
• Basic Skills
• College Prep
• Digital Literacy

“Come see our new space, meet our team, and learn more about our services,” school officials posted on social media. “We can’t wait to see you there!”

In similar fashion, an Open House for the LCHSC, located at 1335 E. Page Ave. in Malvern, will be tomorrow from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

The Literacy Council of HSC helps interested learners improve their skills with reading, math, ESL, finances, health, computers, setting & achieving goals and finding employment.

“All our services are free. We work one to one, learner and tutor. Our tutors are trained to work specifically with adults. Our services are private and confidential. We offer reading and math skills and English as a Second Language. Other services are available on an as needed basis.”

If you are unable to attend the Open House events, you can learn more about ASUTR’s Adult Education program by visiting their website or calling 501-332-1912. Contact the LCHSC by calling 501-229-1686.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 4: Quality Education
• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

The article discusses adult education and family literacy programs, which are directly related to SDG 4, which aims to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all. It also mentions the importance of workforce preparation services, which aligns with SDG 8, which focuses on promoting sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment, and decent work for all. Additionally, the article highlights the provision of free literacy tutoring and materials, addressing the goal of reducing inequalities (SDG 10) by eliminating the cost barrier for adults seeking education.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• Target 4.6: By 2030, ensure that all youth and a substantial proportion of adults, both men and women, achieve literacy and numeracy.
• Target 8.6: By 2020, substantially reduce the proportion of youth not in employment, education, or training.
• Target 10.3: Ensure equal opportunity and reduce inequalities of outcome, including by eliminating discriminatory laws, policies, and practices and promoting appropriate legislation, policies, and action in this regard.

The article emphasizes the importance of adult education and family literacy programs, which contribute to achieving Target 4.6 by promoting literacy and numeracy among adults. It also mentions the provision of workforce preparation services, which aligns with Target 8.6 by aiming to reduce the proportion of youth and adults not in employment, education, or training. Furthermore, the article highlights the efforts to eliminate the cost barrier for adult learners, addressing Target 10.3 by reducing inequalities of outcome.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Indicator 4.6.1: Proportion of the population in a given age group achieving at least a fixed level of proficiency in functional (a) literacy and (b) numeracy skills, by sex.
• Indicator 8.6.1: Proportion of youth (aged 15-24 years) not in education, employment, or training.
• Indicator 10.3.1: Proportion of the population reporting having personally felt discriminated against or harassed in the previous 12 months on the basis of a ground of discrimination prohibited under international human rights law.

The article does not explicitly mention specific indicators. However, the mentioned targets can be measured using the indicators provided. For example, Indicator 4.6.1 can be used to measure the proportion of adults achieving functional literacy and numeracy skills. Indicator 8.6.1 can measure the proportion of youth not in education, employment, or training. Indicator 10.3.1 can assess the proportion of the population reporting discrimination or harassment based on prohibited grounds.

Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: malvern-online.com