Wanted for Adult Education: More Funds, as Wait Lists Grow

By Anthony Hennen of The Center Square
Republished by Travels With The Post

(The Center Square) — After this year’s dramatic increases in spending on K-12 education in Pennsylvania, some advocates now hope to get a boost for adult education programs, which they claim get overlooked.

“It’s an area of education that we don’t necessarily think enough about up here,” state Rep. Peter Schweyer of Allentown said during a House Education Committee hearing Monday (Sept. 17, 2024). “This is something that falls through the cracks. We have to start elevating this conversation so we are able to find additional support.”

The committee’s local members include 26th District Rep. Paul Friel, whose office is in Pottstown; 146th District Rep. Joe Ciresi, Royersford; and 131st District Rep. Milou Mackenzie, Red Hill.

Adult education ranges from helping people earn their general educational development (GED) diplomas and prepare for college, to learning English and gaining a credential.

“What I want to share today is the importance of considering education and workforce development as the same,” Rochelle Cooks, director of workforce solutions at Beyond Literacy in Philadelphia, reported. “Adult education sits between K-12 and college initiatives. It’s an often-overlooked sector. Yet it’s one that trains up our job seekers to make sure they’re able to get family-sustaining wages.”

Cooks argues people don’t lack motivation. What’s holds them back and gets in their way, she contends, is their lack of credentials. Missing out on occupational training, for example, or lacking the right tech skills impedes or delays their advancement.

Adult learners ‘vital to state economy’

“Adult learners are vital to the prosperity of Pennsylvania and our economy,” she adds. “The return on investment when you support adult literacy programs goes into higher employment rates, lower reliance on social services, a more competitive workforce, and an increase in consumer spending power.”

Advocates want a $7 million boost for adult education funding in next year’s budget to bring total spending to $30 million by fiscal year 2026-27.

“It won’t take much to expand the capacity of adult education,” says Michael Lamb, a board member of Literacy Pittsburgh. “That’s not even a rounding error in the Department of Education’s budget. With your support, we can make the modest investment and move more working-aged adults into meaningful work while helping our employers fill job openings.”

Current programs can’t meet demand, Lamb argues. Every month, 400 people are on Literacy Pittsburgh’s waiting list. Others who testified Monday before committee members say they had more than 1,700 people on an adult education waiting list in Allentown, and more than 2,000 in Reading.

In Pittsburgh, the majority of students are immigrants, who are held back from fully contributing to the economy. Other Pennsylvania cities have a high demand for those programs from immigrants, too.

“Over the last five years, the literacy center has tripled the number of students served and typically helps 1,500 students per year,” Jen Doyle, CEO of the Literacy Center in Allentown, says. “A large percentage of our English as a second language (ESL) students attended college and have work experience from their home countries.

“With additional ESL classes, more adults could return to their professional fields. This would unleash a gold mine of talent and skills for Pennsylvania employers,” according to Doyle.

Though the potential gains are real, state funding isn’t the only issue. I also involves ensuring people can access classes and programs. “In adult education, reducing barriers is huge,” Cooks notes. Those barriers are often reflect practical problems, like having transportation to classes, or finding a babysitter to provide child care.