KC recognizes National Adult Education and Family Literacy Week

The Division of Workforce and Community Education (WCE) at Kishwaukee College is raising awareness of the continued need for adult education in the local communities by recognizing National Adult Education and Family Literacy Week, September 26 – October 1.

During National Adult Education and Family Literacy Week, the WCE staff invite anyone wanting to take the first step to earning a high school credential to attend free Kishwaukee College High School Equivalency and English as a Second Language classes offered at the College and at partner sites in the local communities. Registration will be open at class sites the week of October 17.

Students may register for High School Equivalency at the following class sites: Westminster Presbyterian Church in DeKalb on Monday and Wednesday (for math and science) and Tuesday and Thursday (for language arts and social studies), from 9 – 11:40 a.m.; Sycamore High School in Sycamore on Tuesday and Thursday (for language arts and social studies) from 5:30 – 8:10 p.m.; and at the United Methodist Church (Hicks Hall) in Rochelle on Tuesday and Thursday (for math and science), from 5:30 – 8:10 p.m.

Students may register for English as a Second Language at the following class sites: DeKalb Public Library in DeKalb on Monday and Wednesday from 5:30 – 8:10p.m. and at Central School in Rochelle on Monday and Wednesday from 5:30 – 8:10p.m. Intermediate and Advanced ESL classes are offered at Kishwaukee College on Tuesday and Thursday from 9 – 11:40 a.m. and on Tuesday and Thursday from 6 – 8:40 p.m.

According to the most recent U.S. Census Bureau data, more than 1.4 million adults in Illinois (15% of the adult population) do not have a high school diploma or High School Equivalency credential. About one out of every seven Illinoisans is an immigrant; and approximately 44% of Illinois’ eight million adults have not completed any college coursework.

Nationally, nearly 30% of adults with household incomes at or below the poverty line do not have high school credentials. Individuals who do have a high school credential earn about $10,000 more annually than those without the credential.

As sobering as those statistics are, the broader implications are even greater. Over the past several years, more and more jobs in the workplace require skilled labor and a post-high school credential – a certificate, degree or some other form of specialized training. According to the Skills2Compete Campaign, the largest segment of available jobs in Illinois are “middle-skill” jobs that require more than a high school diploma but less than a four-year degree of educational preparation. By 2018, it is estimated that 63% of all U.S. jobs will require education beyond high school. Yet, more than 36 million adults nationwide, including 1.2 million in Illinois, lack basic literacy skills that limit their ability to advance in education and at work.

For more information on programs and services available through the Division of Workforce and Community Education at Kishwaukee College, visit www.kishwaukeecollege.edu/wce  or call 815-825- 9408.