NEWBERRY — National Adult Education and Family Literacy Week aims to raise public awareness of adult education and family literacy, assist more adult learners in need of literacy services, leverage local resources, and support increased access to adult education and family literacy programs.
It’s an effort, celebrated this year from Sept. 26 though Oct. 1, whose theme — “Moving Towards a Brighter Future, Through Literacy” — is supported by Newberry County advocates.
“Newberry Adult Education recognizes the positive impact literacy education has on our communities and families,” said Roberta Kinard, director of Adult Education for Newberry County Schools. “In collaboration with the Parenting/Family Literacy Program, we strive to strengthen literacy skills that will help families achieve the success needed for their daily lives and the workforce. I strongly encourage businesses and individuals to support Adult Education and Family Literacy as we work together to make a positive difference in the lives of adults and families in our community, county, and state.”
Rita Saddler, Newberry County School District Coordinator of Parenting and Family Literacy, agreed.
“According to data compiled during the latest Census Report and Kids Count, one fourth of Newberry County adults are without a high school diploma or GED,” Saddler said. “The Newberry Family Literacy program in conjunction with Adult Education program strives to empower parents to make significant and sustainable changes in their lives through education, collaboration and providing opportunities and resources.
“It is the vision of the Family Literacy program that families will have the parenting and literacy skills to enhance their role as their child’s first and most important teacher so that their child will be a productive and moral citizen,” Saddler added.
Advocates across the country use this opportunity to elevate adult education and family literacy initiatives nationwide with policymakers, the media, and the community. The goal is to provide greater access and more resources for the 36 million individuals in the United States who need education or literacy help.
“We must ensure that all South Carolinians have the knowledge and tools necessary to be successful in careers and citizenship,” said State Superintendent of Education Molly Spearman. “Our Adult Education and Family Literacy programs play a vital role in making this possible and we look forward to highlighting and expanding their success this week.”
Agencies all around the country use this as a time to advocate for adult education and family literacy services to policy makers, the media, and their own communities. Public and private organizations in our state will use AEFL Week to highlight services that move South Carolinians towards a brighter future through literacy.
The GED Ready – Set – Go Initiative, an added bonus for AEFL Week, launched Sept. 26. The initiative is sponsored by GED Testing Service which is a joint venture of the American Council on Education and Pearson VUE. Students will save 50 percent off the GED Ready practice test by using the code GEDGO between Sept. 26 and Oct. 31. Students must purchase and take their discounted GED Ready practice test by Oct. 31.
Research shows that earning a GED credential from the new GED program gives graduates better access to new jobs, and prepares them for career and college training programs.
Recent scoring enhancements to the GED test, including a recalibration of the passing score, mean more adults in South Carolina are earning a GED diploma aka High School Equivalency Diploma (HSED). Students are encouraged to make sure they’re prepared for the GED test by taking the highly predictive GED Ready practice test. It is the closest thing to taking the GED test without actually doing so.