Dr. Jean DeVard-Kemp
Assistant Commissioner
Office of Adult Literacy

IN THIS ISSUE

The face of Georgia's adult literacy population is changing due to the continued influx of immigrants, refugees, migrant workers, and international business people into the state. This growing segment of the population requires a unique set of services. The Office of Adult Literacy has worked closely with its service delivery areas (SDAs) to implement English Literacy Programs (ELP) to address these needs.

Three of the most active ELPs are located at DeKalb, Gwinnett, and Lanier Technical Institutes. At a recent State Board meeting, the Adult Literacy Directors of these technical institutes highlighted their experiences. Lamar Gailey is the Adult Literacy Director of Lanier Technical Institute, which serves a six-county region.

"So much of the economy here is dependent upon labor provided by immigrants," Gailey said. "ELP students are employed in our community, and many of them are using their gained English skills to move from entry-level jobs to jobs that are more high tech."

By pooling resources from the surrounding counties, Lanier Technical Institute also provides ELP classes on a contractual basis at work sites throughout the SDA . Gailey is proud of the program's success. "Of Lanier Tech's last three Literacy Ambassadors, two are students from the ELP classes."

Gwinnett County has experienced similar growth. According to a recent edition of the Gwinnett Daily Post, the county has the highest concentration of Asians statewide, and over 5% of Gwinnett County citizens are Hispanic.

"To better serve our students and accommodate their schedules, Gwinnett offers English Literacy classes in Barrow County on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings and Tuesday and Thursday evenings," Adult Literacy Director Fannie Parris said. "In Gwinnett, we hold classes Monday through Saturday in the mornings and Monday and Wednesday in the evenings" she states. There are still many students on the waiting list to get into classes at the end of each quarter.

DeKalb Technical Institute began teaching English Literacy over 20 years ago, with one teacher and one class. Today, the program has grown to include 60 teachers at 14 sites in DeKalb, Newton, and Rockdale counties. The diversity and make-up of the student population reflects the changing tide of political and social unrest around the world. Many of the earliest students were Cubans, followed by Iranians. Russian Jews arrived following the break-up of the Soviet Union, and there have been thousands of Vietnamese enrolled in classes over the years.

Data compiled by the Georgia Refugee Health Program shows that from January through April 1999, 446 refugees were resettled in DeKalb County. Upon their arrival, most come with critical needs. Chief among them are the needs for medical care, housing, and English skills.

"Immigrants and refugees who populate ELP classes are dedicated students who work diligently to learn English, enabling them to take care of their families," Adult Literacy Director Jan Craig said. "DeKalb Tech's two Literacy Ambassadors from the EAGLE Awards are both from ELP classes."

DeKalb offers four levels of instruction, with levels one through three divided into A and B sections, allowing students to progress to the next level. All of the technical institutes' instructional programs are multi-level and are in compliance with the curriculum set by the Office of Adult Literacy. As enrollment and participation increase, the size and sphere of influence of ELP in Georgia are expected to grow as well.