Adult literacy week highlights benefits of new Mat-Su program

By Rebekah Potter
Community contributor

Want a good return on investment? Bank on adult education. Celebrate National Adult Education and Family Literacy Week this Sept. 14-20 by learning more about how adult education can change lives in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough!

Today, our nation faces a staggering problem: 43 million adults can’t read or write above a third-grade level, and 1 in 3 employers say average employees lack the literacy skills to do their jobs effectively. In the U.S., $238 billion in health care costs each year are linked to low literacy. In the Mat-Su Borough, 13% of the adult population is considered “at risk for difficulties using or comprehending print material,” according to the Program for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies (PIAAC) Skills Map.

But there’s good news: change is on the way. From Sept. 14 to 20, groups across the nation are celebrating National Adult Education and Family Literacy Week, highlighting the opportunities adults have to change their lives through literacy.

Here in the Mat-Su Borough, the nonprofit Alaska Literacy Program is opening a new office this fall to offer new adult learning options across the region. These courses will help people earn GED credentials, improve English reading and communication skills, and use digital technology.

When adults participate in education and family literacy programs like these, studies show that their future income increases by 53%, long-term. Families who participate in literacy programs have children who are more likely to attend school regularly, be healthy, and finish school. 

Adults who can read well have greater life expectancy, which shouldn’t be surprising; they can follow doctor instructions, ask questions, and understand prescriptions and insurance information. They also have higher self-esteem, better employment, and better decision-making abilities. 

Communities benefit when adults read well enough to understand local issues, advocate for community needs, and vote. Higher literacy rates are associated with less crime, greater economic growth, and higher employment rates. Incarcerated adults who participate in education programs are 43% less likely to end up back in prison.

Benefits also abound for the workforce and economy. Literate workers can do their jobs more effectively. They can read safety information, understand warnings, and communicate as a team to stay safe and efficient on the job. The Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy estimates that the U.S. economy would generate $2.2 trillion more per year if all adults could read at or above a sixth-grade level.

So, during National Adult Education and Family Literacy Week, what can you do to bring these incredible adult literacy benefits to the Mat-Su? Here are some suggestions:

• Sign up to be a volunteer teacher or tutor with Alaska Literacy Program! We need volunteers who are dedicated to empowering adults and can teach classes and work with students one-on-one in community locations across the valley. Visit www.alaskaliteracyprogram.org and click on the “Get Involved!” tab to sign up.
• Encourage adults who are thinking about getting more education! Spread the word about the benefits of increased literacy, and let them know there are very low-cost classes available nearby that can help them meet their goals. Call Alaska Literacy Program at (907) 743-0203 or visit our website at www.alaskaliteracyprogram.org to find out more. 
• Visit the National Association of Adult Education, COABE, at coabe.org/aefl-week to learn more about supporting adult education and National Adult Education and Family Literacy Week.