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Colorado Education Highlights

Colorado Education Highlights features the great work being done in Colorado at schools and districts, BOCES, and other education-related organizations. For more information, email CDE Communications

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Celebrate the contributions of adult education

Monday, September 26, 2016

Adults in a classroom are pictured for story on National Adult Education and Family Literacy Week.

Celebrate National Adult Education and Family Literacy Week, Sept 26-Oct. 1.

Beatriz Barbosa of Montrose is a testament to the accomplishments that adults can achieve if they persevere through adult education programs.

In 2013, Barbosa attended English as a Second Language classes through the Montrose Adult Education Center, studying at home, raising two young sons and continuing her job at a local motel -- all the while she was recovering from injuries sustained in a severe automobile wreck. Barbosa is an example of what adults can do to improve their educational attainment.

Members of U.S. Congress declared Sept. 26-Oct. 1 National Adult Education and Family Literacy Week, a week in which the contributions of adult education, English language acquisition and family literacy programs are celebrated. Research shows that adult education and family literacy programs don't help just adults. 

According to Pro Literacy, children of parents with low literacy skills have a 72 percent chance of being at the lowest reading levels themselves. These children are more likely to get poor grades, display behavioral problems, have high absentee rates, repeat school years or drop out. Additionally, parents with a high school diploma are 11 percent more likely to assist their children with their homework. More than 332,000 Colorado adults' highest level of education is less than a high school diploma or its equivalent. And 275,000 adults are not proficient English speakers in Colorado. Adult education programs can help. 

There are also great examples across the state of adult education programs that are working with school districts to ensure students who are at risk of dropping out of high school continue towards a high school diploma or its equivalent. The goal of these partnerships is for these students to receive a high school diploma if at all possible, but if that is no longer a possibility, to ensure the student receives an equivalent credential and continues to further their education and training.

Barbosa helped kick off the 2016-17 school year for adult English students at Montrose Center with a motivational speech she wrote in English and Spanish and delivered in both languages. In the speech, she encouraged adults who need more education to take advantage of the opportunities available to learn English and to improve their educational skills.


To learn more, go to www.cde.state.co.us/cdeadult/aeflweek

 

 

 

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