| Home
|
About Us
The
Simpson County Literacy Program is an organization of volunteers,
supported by professional staff, which provides a variety of services that
make it possible for adults to reach their personal goals – through
literacy. Today
some 20 percent of the adult U.S. population cannot read well enough to
earn a living wage. Many more
face severely limited opportunities because of limited literacy skills. They may be able to read, but it is so difficult and
time-consuming that anything that involves reading is avoided.
These problems will intensify as more and more jobs require the
ability to read and use computers.
Also, changing demographics in the United States are creating an
increased need for English as a Second Language instruction. In
Simpson County, the need for our adult education service is clear. Educational
Attainment:
According to the 1990 Census, 41.14% of adults over the age
of 25 had no high school credentials. Functional
Literacy: According to the 1997 Kentucky Literacy Survey, 34.6%
of adults between the ages of 18-64 in Simpson County were at the two
lowest of five levels of literacy. 13.1%
were at Level 1, with almost no literacy skills. 21.5% were at Level 2, with minimal literacy skills. Changing
Demographics:
According to the 2000 Census, Simpson County’s population is
becoming more diverse. Persons
other than Caucasian, African American or Native American were
responsible for 25% of the local population growth over the past
decade. Our History
Since
the early 1980’s, the Simpson County Literacy Program, a
community-based, non-profit agency, has provided learning opportunities
for adults. Instruction
builds on what adults have already learned – through experience and
formal education – to help prepare them for new responsibilities today
and in the future, and provides them with tools that enable them to
continue to learn throughout their lives.
We
provide a new environment for learning – one
that celebrates all successes, does not threaten, and is fun. Simpson County Literacy Program
|