How's this for depressing news

The National Commission on Adult Literacy brings you this nugget of gloomy news to start your day: Nearly 90 million adults in the United States aren't prepared for jobs in the global economy or for jobs that pay well enough to support their families, according to a report the group is releasing today.

More specifically, 18 million don't have high school diplomas, 18 million aren't proficient in English and 51 million haven't gone to college. Meanwhile, 40 percent of the new jobs in the next decade will  require "middle skills" – meaning more than a high school diploma but less than a four-year degree.

Among other changes, the group says part of the solution is a total revamp and massive expansion of adult education. The report "should serve as a wake-up call for those who do not see a lack of basic skills, education and job readiness as a major problem and a barrier to our economic success," U.S. Rep. Patrick Kennedy, D-Rhode Island, said in a press release.

- Ron Matus, state education reporter

Comments

[middle school teacher]

Yet, Pinellas County middle schools are decreasing the number of minutes in the core courses(Math, Language Arts...)during the 2008/2009 school year. Your teachers have been encouraged to "design" unfunded, unsupported electives. The goal, sadly, is no longer to educate but rather to entertain.

[immigrantsneedtolearnEnglish]

As a child of an 2 immigrants,
why should we fund the immigrant coming in in adult ed?

They should have basic skills from their own country before being allowed to come into ours.

Let them pass some proficiency test skills/ or language before becoming a citizen.

see how fast the 18 million with little education and English skills falls.

Tired of working for others!