The purpose of the Certified Literate Community Program (CLCP) in Georgia is to promote adult literacy by involving the entire community. By embracing adult literacy as a community, local resources can be mobilized to support literacy training.

CLCP is designed to be a business-education-government partnership with the stated goal of improving literacy levels of children, families and workers within the community.

CLCP strives to harnesses the power of the community, while addressing the issues of scarce funding and the need to recruit adult learners in greater numbers. CLCP enables communities to improve their literacy rates, while fostering a collaborative approach, and mobilizing available community resources to fight illiteracy.

When a community is accepted into the program, it receives certification twice. The first certification comes when the application is approved, and the community is certified as a “Participant,” CLCP Executive Director Billie Izard said. The second certification occurs when it has reached its numeric goal of having served 50 percent, plus one, of the targeted population.

Once a community has accomplished the stated goals and requirements, it is deemed a Certified Literate Community. There are eight criteria which the community must meet in order to become a participant. The application becomes a blueprint for the ten-year program.

The initiative began in 1990 with five pilot communities. CLCP now has 45 programs: 44 participants; 1 Certified Literate Community. Approximately 25 other communities are in various stages of organizing programs.

In September of 1997, then First Lady Shirley Miller, unveiled road signs recognizing CLCP communities. The road signs carry the “Reading-Key to the Future” logo and identify the community as a “Participating Certified Literate Community.” Each CLCP received two signs. Accordingly, new CLCPs receive two signs when they attain participant status.

In April 2000, the Columbus/Muscogee Literate Community Program became the first in the state to achieve the designated status. Columbus/Muscogee exceeded their goal of 18,402 by more than 4,000. In less than nine years, 22,517 adult literacy students were served under the Columbus/Muscogee CLCP.

Columbus/Muscogee CLCP Is First To Receive Recognition Pictured L-R: James Harrington, State Board; Jack Pezold, State Board; CLCP Executive Director, Billie Izard; Dr. Harold Whitman, Chair, Columbus/Muscogee CLCP; Brenda Sybrant, Executive Director, Columbus/Muscogee CLCP; Karl Roberts, Adult Literacy Director, Muscogee County Schools; Commissioner Kenneth H. Breeden and Assistant Commissioner Jean DeVard-Kemp, Georgia Department of Technical and Adult Education; G.L. Bowen III, State Board; and J. Robert Jones, President, Columbus Technical College.