During the week of September 15-21, 2024 Utah has celebrated Adult Education and Family Literacy Week, as declared by Governor Cox. In Provo City School District, the Provo Adult Education program provides the necessary classes to adults seeking their high school diploma. Courses teach the fundamentals and skills students need to attend college and begin a career. Upon completion of the needed credits, they can earn a credit-based high school diploma.
Provo City School District’s Adult Education program is held Monday through Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., as well as 1:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., and 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Check out the link below to learn more about the program and register for classes.
Over 30 million Americans over the age of 25 – or one out of every nine U.S. citizens – do not have a high school diploma. Adult education is working to change that. Adult education programs in Utah served over 14,000 students during 2023-2024, awarding almost 2,000 high school diplomas and GEDs.
“Promoting programs such as these open doors for students of all ages,” said Utah Adult Education Coordinator Stephanie Patton.
Research from Georgetown University’s Center on Education and the Workforce found that, “Forty-two percent of jobs in 2031 will require at least a bachelor’s degree, while only 28 percent will go to workers with a high school diploma or less.” Adults who participate in adult education have the opportunity to explore career pathways and hone their skills so that they can advance their careers through postsecondary education or training.
Adult education in Utah includes 40 programs around the state located within local education agencies and community-based organizations, with sites providing services in county jails and state prisons.
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 diploma, and prepare for postsecondary education or training.
Family literacy programs serve parents and their young children, teaching basic skills, English as a Second Language, and parenting skills to adults while their children are provided high-quality instruction. These programs are focused on breaking the cycles of low literacy, low education, and poverty.