BETHLEHEM, Pa. — Lehigh Carbon Community College is among five Pennsylvania learning institutions that will share a statewide grant of more than $1 million to boost adult education and adult literacy instruction.
The funds, awarded Thursday by the state Education Department, will help train and support volunteer adult literacy education instructors, or tutors, who teach students in adult education and literacy programs.
“Learning is a lifelong pursuit, and this grant funding will help more adults continue their learning in literacy programs run by qualified tutors.”Pennsylvania Education Secretary Khalid N. Mumin, in a release.
“Learning is a lifelong pursuit, and this grant funding will help more adults continue their learning in literacy programs run by qualified tutors,” Education Secretary Khalid N. Mumin in a release.
LCCC received $84,348.
Other recipients were:
- Pennsylvania State University, $133,106, Centre and Lycoming counties
- Intermediate Unit 1, $58,000, Washington County
- Literacy Council of Lancaster Lebanon, $150,000, Lancaster and Lebanon counties
- Literacy Pittsburgh, $659,046, Allegheny and Beaver counties
Improving chances of success
The grant program aims to broaden the scope of educational activities available to undereducated adults in the state and their families.
It also would provide programs geared toward individuals who primarily speak languages other than English, or have previously been unserved.
One of the goals is increased and improved services to adult learners and their families through the coordination of funding streams and programs across state agencies.
The monies also will expand adult and family literacy education programs, so that adults and their families will function more effectively in their personal lives and as citizens, and be better prepared for workforce training and employment.
'Infinite possibilities of success'
Any educational entity recognized for providing appropriate and effective adult or family literacy education programs is eligible to receive the grant.
Those include school districts and intermediate units, area career and technical centers and vocational-technical schools, community colleges, literacy councils, local libraries and community-based organizations.
“By ensuring that adults across the Commonwealth can access high-quality educational programming, we are helping them live meaningful, productive lives and pursue infinite possibilities of success."PA Dept. of Education Secretary Dr. Khalid N. Mumin
“By ensuring that adults across the commonwealth can access high-quality educational programming, we are helping them live meaningful, productive lives and pursue infinite possibilities of success," Mumin said.
Gov. Josh Shapiro is committed to ensuring Pennsylvania students have the resources they need to learn and grow from early childhood through adulthood, the release said.
His 2023-24 budget secured more than $10 billion for K-12 public education funding, and his 2024-25 budget proposal requests a nearly $1.1 billion increase in basic education funding — the largest in Pennsylvania history.
The proposal also includes $70 million for public libraries and library systems across Pennsylvania, $975 million for community colleges and PASSHE universities and a $1 million increase for Adult and Family Literacy.
