The Struggling Economy and Its Effect on Education

It’s no secret that the economy is in trouble. The number of job openings is down 31 percent from a year ago. Since December 2007, there have been more than 2.7 million layoffs. Some economists say these are the worst statistics they’ve seen in 25 years.

 

To make matters worse, in Summit County (Ohio), more than 52,000 adults over the age of 25 lack a high school diploma. A sad, yet true statistic.

 

In Maryland, it’s estimated that about 30 percent of Baltimore city residents don’t read at a sufficient level or don’t have a high school diploma.

 

In addition to the Summit County residents without a high school diploma, Project Learn’s enrollment has increased because students realize they need better skills to compete and succeed in the workplace.

 

More companies are requiring that applicants possess college degrees for employment. Laid off workers are going back to school to earn their GED diplomas, in hope that it will lead to a job. Our students understand the dilemma that is before them. The first step to overcoming this problem is to get their GED diplomas. The next step is to acquire additional career training and higher education.

 

Project Learn had 200 GED graduates last year. This year we are expecting close to 300 graduates. But we’re not the only program to see a spike in our graduation statistics.

 

Middletown City Schools’ Adult Education program saw 505 people earn their GED last year. With three months still left in this academic year, about 400 people have earned their GED so far.

 

The South Baltimore Learning Center (SBLC) has seen a jump in general interest and enrollment in both its GED and External Diploma classes. SBLC has even increased its classes and offerings by about 20 percent to accommodate interested students.

 

Pretty amazing, huh?

 

But what do you to when the number of students is increasing, but the amount of money you have is decreasing? And despite the recent stimulus bill, it’s likely that it won’t help adult students tooking to get their GED diplomas.

 

Tough call.

 

Although it will get harder to serve students with a limited budget, it will be even harder to turn them away.

 

Find out how you can help by visiting www.projectlearnsummit.org or calling 330-434-9461. 

 

Local Leaders to be Recognized at 8th Annual Leaders for Literacy Breakfast

Project Learn of Summit County will host its 8^th Annual Leaders for Literacy Breakfast on March 18, 2009 at 7:30 a.m. The breakfast will be held at the Martin University Center in Akron.

The purpose of the breakfast is to encourage and recognize community support for Project Learn and the agency’s efforts to increase awareness and services for adult literacy.

 

Judge Linda Teodosio and her husband, Judge Thomas Teodosio, will welcome the guests and talk about the value of literacy.

 

Following breakfast, there will be an awards presentation to honor the individuals and organizations that have helped in the agency’s dedication to serving the 45,000 people in Summit County who are illiterate. 

 

This year Project Learn will be recognizing Akron Children’s Hospital, The City of Akron, Sisler McFawn Foundation, and Jean Gadd.

 

“This year’s award winners can serve as models for how others can get involved in improving our efforts to increase adult literacy, whether it’s through volunteering, workplace literacy classes or financial support,” said Executive Director Rick McIntosh.

 

Past recipients include Akron General Medical Center, Akhia Public Relations, Akron Community Foundation, First Energy, and the Akron Beacon Journal.

 

Tickets can be purchased at Project Learn’s downtown site and will be available at the door. Prices are $50 for individuals or $400 for a table of eight. To reserve tickets or obtain additional ticket information, call Marquita Mitchell at 330-434-9461 or visit www.projectlearnsummit.org. 

 

Crazy Students Who Don’t Care About the Weather

If you live in northeast Ohio, you know we’ve been getting schlacked with snow in subartic weather lately.  Now, you would think that this type of weather would strongly encouarage to students to stay home, and it does for some of them.  Not that our classes aren’t being attended, far from.  However, whenever the weather is bad the office gets lambasted by phone calls from students calling off class.  This isn’t a complaint.  I don’t want ice-storm, road-panckake students anymore than the next guy.  What gets me is the crazy students who come no matter what.

Now, I’m not talking about a little bit of flurries that saunter down and melt before they hit the pavement.  I mean the big-daddy, holy-moses, God-has-just-let-us-know-that-he’s-tired-of-our-crap-and-refuses-to-take-it-anymore snow storm.  The stuff that Eskimos don’t go out in.  The question I always ask myself is do you really want to learn English that badly?  Now, English is important, but I’m not sure if I’d wager my life to learn it…or at the minimum my car.

It wouldn’t be so bad if any other students showed up.  No…they all know to stay home, and I agree with them.  I always tell my students to stay home if the roads look dangerous.  What’s even crazier is that one of my students walks.  Walks?  In this temperature?  If it was me, English could wait.

I guess the point of this diatribe is just to note how devoted and appreciative many of our students are to the services we provide.  They must like what they’re learning.  They keep coming back, rain or shine, day after day.  Yes, many of our students are exactly like the postal service.  And while I might me confounded and unable to understand why some one would walk 2 miles in a snow storm when they can’t see the hand in front of their face, I’m just glad they enjoy class enough to be willing to brave the weather.

Kolter