September 18th, 2019 by WCBC Radio

The Board of County Commissioners of Allegany County has proclaimed September 22-28 National Adult Education and Family Literacy Week in Allegany County.

Adults with low literacy levels frequently face poorer health, lower wages and higher rates of unemployment. Nationally, children of parents with low literacy levels have a 72% chance of being lowest-level readers. These children are more likely to get poor grades, have behavioral problems, experience high rates of absenteeism, repeat grades, or drop out of school.

Approximately 11% of Allegany County’s population struggle to read, write, do math and use technology above a third-grade level. Within the county, nearly 26% of adults who lack high school credentials live at or below the poverty line, according to the US Census Bureau.

Locally the Adult Basic Education program within ACM’s Center for Continuing Education and Workforce Development serves adult learners 18 years and older who wish to earn a Maryland high school diploma, improve their reading or gain work-ready skills. Classes include: Adult Basic Education (ABE), Adult and Family Literacy, General Education Development (GED), External Diploma Program (NEDP), and Workplace Skills – ACT WorkKeys, ABE Program Support Instruction and English as a Second Language (ESL). Online learning options are also offered. There are no fees for the classes and support services are available.