Editor,
September reminds us that it’s “Back to School” for the children in our local communities. At the same time, this is a good time to review a few facts about adult literacy and be reminded about where adults can go to meet their own education goals and improve their skills.
For 50 years, Central Vermont Adult Basic Education (CVABE) has provided free, personalized, and confidential academic services to adults and teens age 16 and older. Services range from instruction in basic math, reading, writing, and computer technology to high school completion to college and work readiness to instruction for those learning the English language.
CVABE has six Learning Centers: Barre, Montpelier, Waterbury, Morrisville, Bradford, and Randolph. Students are also taught in homes, at job sites, libraries, and other locations to reduce barriers (such as transportation and childcare) to participation.
Do you know someone who needs to improve his basic writing skills to advance at work, or who has been putting off getting a GED or high school diploma, or someone who needs to improve her reading skills, or someone who has trouble balancing his checkbook? Support your neighbors, local community, and CVABE’s mission by referring those you know who may need CVABE’s services. You can also volunteer your time or make a tax-deductible financial donation. Call 476-4588 to find out which of CVABE’s six Learning Centers is closest to you and to learn more about how you can play a vital role in improving our nation’s well-being by improving adult literacy in your own community.
Central Vermont Adult Basic Education (CVABE) is a proud member of ProLiteracy, the largest adult literacy and basic education membership organization in the U.S. ProLiteracy published the following statistics:
•More that 36 million adults in the U.S. cannot read, write, do basic math or use technology above a third grade level.
•Just 35 percent of individuals with below basic skills are employed full time, while 64 percent with proficient skills have full time jobs.
•Single mothers who lack a high school credential are much more likely to be on welfare than women who have high school diplomas.
•Women with low literacy are twice as likely as men to be in the lowest earnings category of $300 a week or less.
•Minimum wage workers increased wages by 18 to 25 percent within 18 months of exiting an adult education program such as CVABE
•The U.S. has the highest levels of income inequality and literacy skills inequality.
•Low literacy adds an estimated $230 billion to the country’s annual healthcare costs
•Low-literacy Americans are far more likely than high-literacy Americans to express low political engagement and understanding.
In your community, CVABE staff and volunteers work diligently to impact these statistics and help people throughout Washington, Orange, and Lamoille Counties to improve their lives.
For more information on how low adult literacy is affecting every facet of our lives, visit CVABE’s website www.cvabe.org and refer to ProLiteracy under “Links”.
Gale Rome
Volunteer/Communications Coordinator
Central Vermont Adult Basic Education
