Adult Education

Here are some thoughts about what is the best structure for adult education and noncredit programs in our state.  Adult education is in the unique position of being an educational institution that addresses the needs of the local community, is flexible, and is cost effective. If a community has literacy issues this then becomes the focus of the adult education division of the local school district.  If a community has a need for more vocational programs to help the unemployed this then becomes the focus of that adult education division. Adult educaion programs can do this very effectively.  Looking at the big picture statewide where almost 80% of adult education programs have English as a Second Language(ESL)as their main focus, adult ed. programs can collaborate with the noncredit community college side to provide services for this population.  Adult education programs can provide the beginning ESL classes along with literacy classes while the community colleges can be the next step for these students by offering them advanced ESL and reading and writing workshops.   This would a positive collaboration that would work for the benefit for our students. A last word - each community is unique and has special needs, by working together adult education programs and community colleges can benefit this large population by increasing their educational level and their accessibility to better jobs.