California Adult Schools Unite to Survive Economic Crisis

California Adult Schools Unite to Survive Economic Crisis

SANTA CLARA, Calif. - (Business Wire) Facing extreme budget cuts that could dismantle the state’s school district adult education system, 340 California Adult Schools have joined to make their case for survival. The schools provide critical educational services to millions of California adults who do not have the required literacy, language, and workplace skills to succeed in the current economic environment. Key to the California Adult Schools’ initiative is a new brand identity and a new public website at http://californiaadultschools.org/.

Funded through the state's K-12 districts, California Adult Schools fill a widening educational gap. With a commitment to community-based lifelong learning, they provide programming and services in the areas of job training, basic reading and math skills, high school diploma, GED, parenting, and English as a second language (ESL).

“California Adult Schools help adult students find jobs, earn degrees, and become better parents,” said Roger Brossmer, Downey Adult School principal. “There are 5.3 million California adults without high school diplomas and 3 million English language learners who need access to adult education resources in order to work in the state economy."

A 2009 report commissioned by the California Department of Education (Source: WestEd Strategic Planning Needs Assessment, http://californiaadultschools.org/cas/attachments/119_ae0090_ref6049.pdf), says California Adult Schools are well positioned to address three driving forces in the state:

• The California economy is transitioning to one dominated by knowledge-based industries that require a workforce with specialized skills and advanced knowledge.
• The educational attainment of Californians is declining. (California performance numbers are generally below national averages, with more high school dropouts and lower rates of transition to college.)
• California’s population is aging and becoming more diverse. (As the baby boomers retire much of the existing workforce's expertise will be replaced by a population increasingly characterized by low levels of education.)

Read more: http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/california-adult-schools-unite-to-survive-economic-crisis,1207868.shtml#ixzz0iR6w9pG9