Senate Co-Sponsorship Memoranda

I intend to offer a resolution designating September 17-23 as Adult Education and Family Literacy Week in Pennsylvania. 

 

Nearly 32 million Americans cannot read or write, and roughly 1.9 million working age Pennsylvanians struggle with the most basic literacy skills.  For these individuals, employment is scarce and tasks such as reading the mail, completing tax forms, or even engaging in civic duties can be nearly impossible. 

 

Students who struggle to read in school are four times less likely to graduate, and in Pennsylvania alone, more than 646,000 working age adults do not have a high school credential.  While we work to improve literacy rates for our young students, we must improve the literacy rate of our adults, as well. 

 

A vibrant Pennsylvania economy that is well positioned in the global economy depends on having a skilled population proficient in language, numeracy, health, finance, and digital literacy.  Adult and family literacy education can provide the opportunity for upward economic mobility for the 21% of Pennsylvania adults who need basic skills education.  Without these basic skills, these adults remain trapped in low wage jobs and struggle to support their families. 

 

Please join me in supporting the educators and students enrolled in Adult Education and Family Literacy programs throughout the Commonwealth and our continuing efforts to ensure everyone has the necessary literacy skills to succeed at home, at work, and in society.