The Role of Adult Education

Adult education is currently a strong component of California's educational system.  As part of the K-12, system adult education serves the parents of students who are faring least well in public schools.  Adult education has strong links to elementary, middle schools and high schools.  We serve as a district resource for concurrent students who need to make up extra credits for graduation.  We support the parents of the ELD students within the district by offering  quality ESL programs.  We support parents within the district by providing parent education classes.  Parent education classes support a child's social, physical, linguistic, and cognitive development.  Parent taught how to become their child's "first teacher."   Parents attend class with their child, learning how to positively impact the child's readiness to learn.  Adult education also provides short-term vocational education training programs.  In short, adult education is a safety net for students who have not fared well in public schools and aspire to move on to the community college system or CSU/UC system, or simply those that want to get a job or retain a job.  Adult education certified teachers are not only content experts but are trained to effectively apply teaching strategies in motivating adult learners to overcome barriers that interfere with learning.  Research shows that better educated parents translates into better-educated children.  Adult education is responsive to the varied educational needs of Californians.