Kershaw County Adult Education celebrates National Adult Education and Family Literacy Week

Kershaw County Adult Education (KCAE), in partnership with the Coalition on Adult Basic Education (COABE), proudly celebrated National Adult Education and Family Literacy Week, during the week of September 18-22, 2023. 

To recognize the accomplishments of its adult education students, Kershaw County Adult Education sponsored the following activities:

Providing a “Readbox” lending library for Adult Education students (a special thanks to the United Way Ready Readers for donations).

Daily literature spotlights on books aimed toward self-improvement and growth.

Partnering with the Kershaw County Library System for a library card registration event and visit from the Book Mobile.

Hosting an Adult Ed Literacy Day on Thursday, September 21, 2023.

Over 30 million Americans over the age of 25 – or one out of every ten U.S. citizens – do not have a high school diploma. Kershaw County Adult Education is working to change that. We currently have 82 students enrolled in High School Diploma or High School Equivalency programs. 

Research from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that job growth for individuals without a high school diploma or some college experience is about zero or even negative. By 2024, 48 percent of job openings will be middle-skill and 32 percent will be high-skill. This means that nearly 80 percent of all job openings will require more than a high school degree. "More than 51.4 million Americans can’t read or write at the most basic level while 75.1 million lack basic math skills, as well as the credentials and skills necessary to succeed in post-secondary education and the workforce," noted Sharon Bonney, Chief Executive Officer of the Coalition on Adult Basic Education. "This is just one reason why adult education is so vital to our economy!”Adults who participate in programming at KCAE have the opportunity to explore career pathways and hone their skills so that they can advance their careers through postsecondary education or training.

Completers of Kershaw County Adult Education during the 2023-2024 school year qualify for the GED by 2024 initiative which makes them eligible to receive funds to cover the tuition and fees to attend a South Carolina technical college. Pre-testing for Kershaw County Adult Education's next enrollment session will be held on September 26 and October 3. 

Adult education and family literacy programs serve adults who need to improve their basic literacy and math skills, improve their oral and written English, obtain a high school equivalence degree, and prepare for postsecondary education or training. These programs are focused on breaking the cycles of low literacy, low education and poverty.

For more information about Kershaw County Adult Education, please call 803.425.8980 or email Byron Johnson at byron.johnson@kcsdschools.net. We look forward to the opportunity to elevate your outcomes!

Photographs attached:

Kershaw County Adult Education students participate in a Library Card Membership Drive as a part of Adult Education and Family Literacy Week. KCAE also now has a new Readbox lending library for their students thanks to book donations from staff, students and the United Way Ready Readers group.