DR. KHALID N. MUMIN

Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) on Thursday awarded more than $1 million to five school districts to train and support volunteer adult literacy teachers or tutors who teach students in adult education and literacy programs.

“Learning is a lifelong pursuit, and this grant will help more adults continue their learning in literacy programs led by qualified educators,” said Minister of Education Dr. Khalid N. Mumin. “By ensuring that adults across the Commonwealth have access to high-quality educational programs, we are helping them lead meaningful, productive lives and pursue infinite possibilities for success.”

The prize winners are as follows:

Pennsylvania State University, $133,106, Centre and Lycoming counties
Lehigh Carbon Community College, $84,348, Lehigh County
Intermediate Unit 1, $58,000, Washington County
Literacy Council of Lancaster Lebanon, $150,000, Lancaster and Lebanon Counties
Literacy Pittsburgh, $659,046, Allegheny and Beaver Counties

The grant program aims to broaden the scope of educational activities available to low-skilled adults in the Commonwealth and their families, and to provide programs that target individuals who primarily speak languages ​​other than English or who are previously underserved. Goals include: providing more and better services to adult learners and their families through the coordination of funding streams and programs across state agencies; and expanding literacy education programs for adults and families so that adults and their families can function more effectively in their personal lives and as citizens and are better prepared for vocational training and employment.

Eligible beneficiaries include school districts, intermediate units, regional vocational and technical centers/trade schools, community colleges, literacy councils, local libraries, community-based organizations, and any other educational institution recognized by the Secretary of Education to provide appropriate and effective adult or family literacy programs.

Governor Josh Shapiro is committed to ensuring that Pennsylvania students have the resources they need to learn and thrive from early childhood through adulthood. His 2023-24 budget secured more than $10 billion in funding for K-12 public education, and his 2024-25 budget proposal calls for a nearly $1.1 billion increase in K-12 funding, the largest in Pennsylvania history. The proposal also includes $70 million for public libraries and library systems across Pennsylvania, $975 million for community colleges and PASSHE universities, and a $1 million increase for adult and family literacy.

For more information about the Pennsylvania Department of Education, visit their website or follow PDE on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, or Pinterest.

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