Arkansas
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Adult Learner Success Stories
Charlene found herself in a new city without many prospects. Recently divorced and looking for ways to support her three children, Charlene came to NWACC’s Adult Education program with high hopes.
As a young person Tania’s future goals had nothing to do with education. She never dreamed that enrolling in adult education would become one of the most influential decisions she ever made.
Adult education gave Patty the resources she needed to achieve her life-long goal of receiving her diploma.
State Innovations
Arkansas
Inmate Tutoring Program
Arkansas Literacy Councils
Little Rock, Arkansas
The Challenge
In 2016, Arkansas Literacy Councils (ALC) joined with the Arkansas Department of Corrections (ADC) to address the problem of low/no literacy in the prison system. With prison schools at capacity, many students cannot read well enough to pass the GED® exam. If a person cannot read well enough to apply for a job or housing, recidivism is common. This program prepares students to study for the GED® exam.
The Solution
ALC and ADC built a program for seventeen units. The units have schools in place, but the classes are full. To serve the students most in need, ALC and ADC decided to place a one-on-one tutoring program under the compassionate eyes of the Chaplaincy, who would choose as tutors literate inmates with the patience and compassion necessary to escort the students into success. When the students complete the literacy program, they will be reading at a fifth-grade level, better equipped to be successful as they strive to pass the GED® tests. The tutors sign a contract for at least 6 months of tutoring. The program allows for transfers.
The Outcome
After two rounds of training, there are 56 committed tutors working with 79 students. 28 tutors have completed both the training and six-month commitment and have received a certificate to be added to their parole file. They are all still continuing to tutor. The
feedback from the inmates is heartening, and it is also making a difference in the tutors’ outlook on life. Some paroled inmates are seeking to continue their learning in their communities, wanting to study for their GED® exam.