Overview
Adult literacy is defined as an individual’s ability to use printed and written information to function in society, to achieve one’s goals, and to develop one’s knowledge and potential. Adult education programs serve individuals sixteen (16) years of age and older who need to improve their basic skills with an emphasis on literacy, mathematics, and English language proficiency. Adult education students under the age of 18 must be assigned to adult education by the local school board. Instructors work with each student to design an individual learning plan that aligns to the student’s goals: to get, retain or advance in a job; get off public assistance and achieve a family sustaining income; earn a high school diploma (HSD) or obtain a high school equivalency diploma (HSED); advance to a technical college or training program; help dependent children be successful in school; manage the family’s healthcare; or learn English, understand U.S. culture, and be an informed citizen.
Adult Education Services
The adult education program in South Carolina is administered by the South Carolina Department of Education (SCDE) which falls under the authority of The South Carolina State Board of Education. The SCDE is responsible for K-12 public education and is under the supervision of the elected State Superintendent of Education. The Office of Career Readiness - Adult Education Section is housed within the Division of Federal Programs and Comprehensive Educational Services and is responsible for the oversight and monitoring of the state’s adult education programs.
In South Carolina, there are currently fifty (50) adult education programs that serve the seventy-nine (79) school districts. These programs are administered by school districts, community-based organizations (CBOs) and the Palmetto Unified School District (PUSD) which serves the incarcerated population within the SC Department of Corrections. Adult education providers may elect to partner with one another to offer adult education services in more than one county or area.
Adult education programs are voluntary and afford opportunities for students to obtain a high school equivalency diploma (HSED), a high school diploma (HSD), and a National Career Readiness Certificate (NCRC) and participate in English as a second language classes (ESL) and family literacy (FL). Some adults enroll in adult education to improve their basic literacy and/or numeracy skills. Adult education enrollment occurs at various intervals throughout the school year depending on the program’s enrollment policy. Both day and evening classes are offered at most programs. Classes are structured to accommodate the busy schedules of adults. Some adult education programs have multiple sites/locations within their service area. Adult education classes are taught by certified teachers and/or trained volunteers who are overseen by certified teachers. Most adult education programs have a program director, instructors, administrative support, a designated data specialist, a college and career navigator, and other key staff to support initiatives offered by the program.