Adult Literacy Action: Penn State University

Adult Literacy Action Background

Adult Literacy Action is a response to the needs of the adult education field. Collaborating and coordinating with other organizations, drawing upon industry specialists, academic scholars, researchers and others, Adult Literacy Action articulates a comprehensive education, training, research and service program. The Center operates in partnership with key influencers to coordinate involvement of other organizations and institutions. In addition to working directly with the adult education field, the Center serves as a resource to human resource departments and industry organizations.

Program Overview

Adult Literacy Action at Penn State Beaver is a vital part of the Beaver County community. Since 1978, it has worked closely with local, state and national groups and individuals to improve methods to reach and teach basic literacy skills to educationally disadvantaged adults.

In 2006, more than 1,000 Beaver County adult learners were served. (County population is 187,000). Ninety-three percent of these adults successfully met their educational goals or are still actively enrolled in the program.

Volunteers are the lifeline of Adult Literacy Action. In 2006, more than $200,000 in supplemental in-kind services were generated through local support. Volunteers included: doctors, nurses, lawyers, adult learners, college students, educators, business leaders, media and marketing specialists, labor, industry, manufacturing and trades workers to name a few. This broad spectrum of volunteer talent provides a continuous wealth of enthusiastic commitment to meet the literacy challenge.

Adult Literacy Action has been featured on national television: USA-Week-End Report showcased community efforts and featured an ALA student as its cover story; The ABC national documentary At a Loss for Words: Illiterate in America brought Peter Jennings and national recognition to Beaver County's pro-active involvement in the literacy movement; Evening Magazine also featured this program's network of cooperation in working with adult learners; WPSX, WQED, WTAE. KDKA, WPXI and other broadcasts have also acknowledged the successful leadership role Adult Literacy Action has provided to state-of-the-art literacy advancement.