Mission
The mission of the Adult Education Program is to provide opportunities for adults that are 16 years of age and older, and out of school, to further their education in the areas of reading and language. This program is dedicated to enabling eligible individuals to become better family members, better workers and concerned citizens in the community.
Accountability
As public and private institutions invest more of their resources in adult learning, programs must meet greater accountability requirements. Without a well-developed system of ensuring accountability, increased and continuing support for programs may not be achieved. The Adult Education Act requires each State to develop and implement a system of accountability for State-administered adult programs. State and local standards are usually developed which ensure: targeted populations are served, programs are effective, curriculum is relevant, student assessment occurs, and inter agency collaboration takes place where appropriate. Standards should be used to determine whether programs should be expanded or terminated. While this accountability is required in State-administered programs, non-profit, volunteer and private sector programs should adopt similar goals and standards for themselves. Adult educators and program directors should ensure that the standards adopted provide measures of accountability.
A good accountability system will reflect and be responsive to the broad spectrum of adult education clientèle: adult learners, supporting agencies, program partners, employers and the community. Such a system provides the base for sound decisions for students, volunteer recruiting, goal development, program funding and delivery, research and training needs.
Summary
Effective Adult Educational Instructional Programs are those which:
- Enable all students to master basic skills;
- Provide relevant courses to meet student, employer, and community needs;
- Strengthen and expand partnership efforts; and
- Set standards of accountability, which ensure program effectiveness
A challenge to adult education at all levels is to keep abreast of the changes taking place in the labor market, social services, and society in general. An important resource is the development of partnerships between the public and private sectors. With these partnerships, we not only ensure that the programs are responsive to these changes, but that the students are as well served as possible.
Partnership possibilities are numerous and should include coordination with agencies that provide a wide variety of social services. Partnership efforts bring a number of benefits to adult learners. These would include: State and local welfare programs, job training programs, and correctional institutions. Libraries, business, industry, and educational agencies also make excellent partnerships. Partnerships with the K-12 education system can be strengthened. Partnerships may also increase public awareness and support for adult education programs.
