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Literacy Month gets under way
By TROY ROBERTS
troberts@lakecityreporter.com
Columbia County’s Adult Education program kicked off International Adult and Family Literacy Month Thursday morning with stories of success and overviews of the courses the program offers to students.
Florida Gov. Charlie Crist has issued a literacy proclamation, calling for the need for more literate citizens and stressing the importance of literacy and lifelong learning. Mary Keen, coordinator of vocational education, said that because the adult education program has such a focus on literacy, it just made sense for the program to celebrate the cause.
According to the Florida Literacy Coalition, more people — 30 million, or approximately 14 percent of Americans — have below basic literacy skills than those who have proficient literacy skills — 28 million, or 13 percent. This costs businesses and taxpayers billions of dollars annually in lost wages, profits and productivity. In Florida, more than
20 percent of adults experience literacy issues that severely impact their lives, ability to work and ability to participate as a citizen.
Officials with the district are trying to offset this using its vocational, adult and community education and the Columbia Even Start Family Literacy programs. Students in attendance Thursday morning heard success stories from fellow students, former students and information about a variety of programs offered, including those in partnership with Lake City Community College.
LCCC Academy of Allied Health director Abe Pallas spoke to the students about the patient care technician classes available through the program. Two students, Kalia Simmons and Quartress Loggins, read articles they had published in the Florida Literacy Coalition’s annual book. Keen said six students had works in the book “Opening a New World” that were submitted this year. Two years ago, Keen said, the district had no entries published in the book.
In addition to preparing students to obtain a GED or high school diploma, the program also offers classes for skill remediation and a new computer literacy class. Keen also announced a new service learning project for the school year, which teams with Christian Service Center to collect items needed for families in the Lake City community. Students will be treated to a breakfast in November for their work on the project.
Florida Gov. Charlie Crist has issued a literacy proclamation, calling for the need for more literate citizens and stressing the importance of literacy and lifelong learning. Mary Keen, coordinator of vocational education, said that because the adult education program has such a focus on literacy, it just made sense for the program to celebrate the cause.
According to the Florida Literacy Coalition, more people — 30 million, or approximately 14 percent of Americans — have below basic literacy skills than those who have proficient literacy skills — 28 million, or 13 percent. This costs businesses and taxpayers billions of dollars annually in lost wages, profits and productivity. In Florida, more than
20 percent of adults experience literacy issues that severely impact their lives, ability to work and ability to participate as a citizen.
Officials with the district are trying to offset this using its vocational, adult and community education and the Columbia Even Start Family Literacy programs. Students in attendance Thursday morning heard success stories from fellow students, former students and information about a variety of programs offered, including those in partnership with Lake City Community College.
LCCC Academy of Allied Health director Abe Pallas spoke to the students about the patient care technician classes available through the program. Two students, Kalia Simmons and Quartress Loggins, read articles they had published in the Florida Literacy Coalition’s annual book. Keen said six students had works in the book “Opening a New World” that were submitted this year. Two years ago, Keen said, the district had no entries published in the book.
In addition to preparing students to obtain a GED or high school diploma, the program also offers classes for skill remediation and a new computer literacy class. Keen also announced a new service learning project for the school year, which teams with Christian Service Center to collect items needed for families in the Lake City community. Students will be treated to a breakfast in November for their work on the project.
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