Black Hawk College is celebrating National Adult Education and Family Literacy Week Sept. 19-25.
The college began serving adult learners on July 1, 1969. Today, the Black Hawk College Adult Education program provides instruction in Adult Basic Education (ABE), Adult Secondary Education (ASE), high school credit and English as a Second Language (ESL).
Each year, approximately 1,000 students enroll in GED® completion and non-credit ESL classes at Black Hawk College.
More than 36 million adults in the United States cannot read, write or do basic math above a third-grade level, and more than 1.2 million young adults end up dropping out of high school every year. However, adults with a high school diploma or equivalent are more likely to work full-time and make an average of $9,620 more per year than a non-graduate.
Black Hawk College Adult Education serves individuals age 16 and older who need to improve their basic skills with an emphasis on literacy, mathematics and English language proficiency. Classes are at no cost to students who qualify.
Instructors work with each student to design an individual learning plan that aligns to his/her goals, such as to:
- Get, retain or advance in a job.
- Get off public assistance and earn a family-sustaining income.
- Complete high school or obtain a GED certificate.
- Transfer to a community college or training program.
- Help their children succeed in school.
- Manage their family’s health care.
- Learn English, understand U.S. culture and be an informed citizen.
Classes begin every three weeks. For information on registration dates and times, call 309-796-8216.
Tutoring services also are available to enrolled students who qualify. If you are interested in becoming an adult volunteer tutor and making a positive impact on someone’s life, call 309-796-8215.