According to the U.S. Department of Education, about 130 million adults between the ages 16-75 lack literacy proficiency. Literary and digital literacy skills are fundamental for creating equitable pathways for learners, especially those who are historically and systematically excluded, and increasing social mobility. To address the nation’s low literacy rates and raise public awareness around the need for adult literacy, every year in September the National Coalition for Literacy (NCL) sponsors National Adult Education and Family Literacy (AEFL) Week. The goal of AEFL Week is to work together alongside states, territories, and districts to advocate for adult literacy programs, engage with policymakers, leverage resources, and amplify the importance of adult education and family literacy to foster well-being, agency, and economic security.
Digital Promise works to expand equitable access to the digital skills, tools, and credentials that learners need to succeed as the U.S. increasingly moves toward skill-based hiring. Below are four resources that support skill building and lifelong learning:
Verizon Skill Forward provides free online courses focused on high-demand skills for adult learners (18+) seeking career advancement. Course and program topics include artificial intelligence, coding, cybersecurity, data analytics, leadership, project management, and more. Learners can earn instructor-signed certificates from leading universities and organizations recognizing their competency and skills—at no cost to them.
As demand for tech talent and technological innovation grows across the U.S., inequities and accessibility to growth opportunities for Black job seekers in the tech industry remain high. Digital Promise’s report, “Lift Every Voice in Tech: Co-Designed Recommendations to Support Black Workers and Learners Seeking to Enter and Advance in Technology Industry Career Pathways,” highlights recommendations and actionable steps for employers that center the voices and lived experiences of Black learners and workers within the technology learning and workforce ecosystem.
Social Media Marketing with Facebook micro-credentials, released by Pathways Research and Design initiative at Digital Promise, enables learners to verify the skills they need to apply basic social media marketing to an organization or business using Facebook and Instagram. The modules are designed to be hands-on and practical so learners can develop the knowledge and skills needed to create social media marketing campaigns that will create awareness, drive traffic, and/or attract customers.
Digital Promise, in partnership with the Barbara Bush Foundation, released “Promoting Digital Literacy for Adult Learners: A Resource Guide,” a guide specifically for educators, employers, and volunteers who work with adult learners in the context of digital literacy. The guide provides an understanding of adult learner variability and includes practical approaches for working with adult learners to meet their digital literacy needs and goals.
Digital Promise is committed to closing the adult literacy gap. We encourage communities to get involved during AEFL week by amplifying efforts on social media using #AEFL2024 and engaging in activities from our partners at the Coalition for Adult Basic Education. To stay updated on our resources, projects, and partnerships, sign up for the ConnectED Pathways newsletter.
