Parkersburg recognizes Adult Education and Family Literacy Week Week

PARKERSBURG DECLARES ADULT EDUCATION AND FAMILY LITERACY WEEK

Proclamation Signed by Mayor Tom Joyce

Regional Coordinator of MOV Adult Education Julie Hagan, Parkersburg Mayor Tom Joyce and WV State Advocate for Adult Education Deanna Addis pose for a picture after Joyce signed a proclamation declaring Sept. 16-20 Adult Education and Family Literacy Week. (Photo Provided)

PARKERSBURG — Mayor Tom Joyce signed a proclamation Monday declaring Sept. 16-20 as Adult Education and Family Literacy Week (AEFL) in Parkersburg.

“AEFL week is a national collaboration between families, educators, legislators, and community partners to promote adult literacy,” said WV State Advocate for Adult Education Deanna Addis. “Wood County has obtained proclamations from the mayors of Parkersburg, Vienna, and Williamstown recognizing the value of adult education in bridging skill gaps and breaking cycles.”

Improving Adult Learners’ Skills for Sustainable Development

Addis emphasized that the goal of Adult Education is to improve the adult learner’s skill set so that they can enter the workforce confidently.

She highlighted that Adult Education plays a crucial role in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by bridging the skills gap between employers and workers. She emphasized that a college degree is not the only pathway to success.

“Forty percent of employers estimate that a skill is usable for four years or less,” Addis said. “This is why adults must commit to being lifelong learners.”

She further stated that 1.5 million adult learners in the United States are engaged in Adult Education to prepare for better careers. She presented statistics showing that low-skilled adults are two times more likely to be unemployed, three times more likely to be in poverty, four times more likely to be in poor health, and eight times more likely to be incarcerated. Educating adults not only helps them break out of intergenerational poverty but also creates stronger communities, she added.

Promoting Family Literacy for Early Brain Development

“This is linked closely to family literacy as parents are often the first educator in a child’s life,” Addis said. “The more confident a parent/guardian is with their literacy and numeracy skills, the more likely they are to expose young children to books.”

She emphasized that looking at, discussing, and reading books is crucial to early brain development. To celebrate Adult Education and Family Literacy Week and foster family literacy, the Wood County Adult Learning Center will be constructing a Little Free Library that will reside on the campus of St. Joseph’s Landing located at 600 18th St.

According to U.S. non-profit organization Reading is Fundamental, 61% of children living at or below the poverty line have no books in the home. Addis said the Wood County Adult Learning Center saw this as a barrier they could help overcome.

“The community has participated in a month-long book drive by dropping off donations of gently used books,” Addis said. “Once the Little Free Library is up and functional, the general public will be able to receive and donate books as their schedule permits. The goal is to provide ample reading opportunities to all.”

Services Offered by Adult Education

For more information on Adult Education call the Wood County Adult Learning Center at 304-834-1019 or stop by the center on the sixth floor of St. Joseph’s Landing at 600 18th St.

***

Some of the services Adult Education offers:

1. High School Equivalency Diploma (GED)
2. Entrance exam prep (post-secondary, employment and military)
3. Industry-recognized credentials
4. Employment certificates
5. Academic refreshers
6. Literacy classes
7. English as a Second Language courses
8. Career Exploration
9. Assistance with resumes, cover letters and interviewing skills
10. CSM, a math course that can be used for hiring preference and/or

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

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
• SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions

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

• SDG 4.6: By 2030, ensure that all youth and a substantial proportion of adults, both men and women, achieve literacy and numeracy.
• SDG 8.6: By 2020, substantially reduce the proportion of youth not in employment, education, or training.
• SDG 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion, or economic or other status.
• SDG 16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all.

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

• Indicator for SDG 4.6: Literacy and numeracy rates among adults.
• Indicator for SDG 8.6: Proportion of youth in employment, education, or training.
• Indicator for SDG 10.2: Proportion of adults who feel included in society.
• Indicator for SDG 16.3: Access to justice for all adults.

Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: newsandsentinel.com