Everyone has heard about the economic benefits of a good education. Statistics have been touted for years about how college graduates earn more on average than those without degrees. State and federal funding has poured into K-12 public schools in an attempt to produce well-educated young people and prepare them for college. Additional funding into Pell grants and student loans have been earmarked to help Americans obtain higher education. However, nearly 90 million working adults do not have college degrees and need additional job skills training. Current estimates indicate that adult education programs only reach 3 million workers each year. Furthermore, 25 million of these workers lack either a high school diploma or GED. Many from the at-risk youth and young adult populations between the ages of 18-24, such as foster children, juvenile offenders, or teenage mothers will become these statistics as adults still lacking critical job skills. These individuals face a higher rate of unemployment or lower lifetime earning potential.
A recent study by the McGraw-Hill Research Foundation emphasizes that preemptive adult education saves society money by reducing costs of health care, public assistance, and potential costs of incarceration. Yet the current economic climate has required states to cut budgets for adult education initiatives. The cost to the U.S. economy is significant. While the current unemployment rate is 9.1%, the unemployment rate for workers without a high school diploma is 14.7%. An estimated 74% of these dropouts will spend one or more years in poverty thus requiring public assistance, at a cost to the U.S. economy of $260,000 per recipient. Currently one million students drop out of high school before earning a diploma each year. Additionally, estimates indicate that 88 million adults in the U.S. lack either adequate education or language skills, both of which serve as a barrier to employment.
Adult education programs do exist at local community colleges and vocational technical schools. These programs are partially funded through block grants provided through the Workforce Investment Act and programs such as Job Corps. However, funding for adult education programs is less than ten percent that which is designated for K-12 education. Those individuals who could access this training face a major challenge in finding the time to take classes while balancing families and jobs. In many instances, these adult learners cannot afford the additional childcare costs to attend classes. Transportation barriers are also a concern for the adult learner, particularly in rural areas, where access to educational programs may be limited.
One solution to this growing problem is alternative schools. Alternative schooling is not a new concept. Such programs originated in the 1960’s as a means of reaching students who were unsuccessful in a traditional classroom setting. Typically when one thinks of alternative schools, they assume K-12 educational alternatives. However, these same model schools can be used for adult education. Some alternative schools provide only short-term programs that are designed to solve a specific problem and then reintegrate the student back into a traditional classroom. This model is typically used for younger learners. However, longer term programs often focus on vocational skills development in an effort to transition a student from school to employment. Such training includes how to write resumes and cover letters, job search strategies, and interviewing tips. Many alternative schools will offer certification programs so that students can more easily obtain employment. A common problem in this tough economy is that companies who want to hire workers find it difficult to recruit qualified applicants. Job training programs that offer certifications solve this problem by demonstrating workers have earned the necessary credentials.
There are many different types of alternative schools. Most of these alternative models feature smaller classroom size, close student to teacher ratios, a diverse curriculum, and the ability to prepare the student for success outside the classroom. However, most of these models still require a traditional instructor-led classroom where students have to physically show up at a pre-designated schedule. The exception to this would be the virtual school model. This model provides an accredited online curriculum that allows students to take courses at their own pace. Many virtual schools can compliment traditional instructor led training so that both can be integrated for the learners convenience and learning enhancement. The benefit of a virtual school is that working adults can be at home with their families while taking classes to improve their future. Therefore, they do not have to worry about child care costs or transportation issues.
Multiple funding streams exist to cover job related skills training for youth and adults in transition. Currently the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program supports education and training, skills building, and employment services. Many states are getting creative in how they spend these funds. Instead of cash distributions, they are using these monies to fund programs that directly help with job creation. The Educational Training Voucher (ETV) Program is available for current and former foster youth and adoptive youth to attend college or job training programs. Each eligible student can receive up to $5,000 per year to pay for tuition, books, and other school related costs. The ETV program is available for young adults age 18-21. Additionally, funds are available through the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) that originate from youth opportunity grants and adults and dislocated worker grants. These funds cover job training and vocational rehabilitation. All of these funding sources have been used towards alternative school solutions that offer life skills training and career development.
As technology advances, economies will require better educated workers. Most economists agree that neither the public school system, nor colleges and universities will be able to keep pace with this workforce demand. This places greater emphasis on adult education and job training programs to fill in the need. However, the strain on state budgets mandates a more feasible means of implementing such training for adults. Additionally, the time and costs associated with such training creates the need for new educational solutions. Using existing funds to support alternative school programs that are convenient, cost effective, and readily accessible to learners are the best method for achieving results.
References
-The Return on Investment (ROI) From Adult Education and Training, McGraw-Hill Research Foundation
-Broader Uses of the TANF Block Grant, INGENIX Consulting, July 2009
-Alternative Schools Information for Families, Center for Effective Collaboration and Practice
-Making Your TANF Dollars Work: A short guide to creative possibilities in TANF spending including additional resources, Colorado Collaborative Partnership, 2006
