Mayor's Commission on Literacy in Philadelphia raises adult work-ready skills through groundbreaking education initiative

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Dec 18, 2014, 09:30 ET

PHILADELPHIA, Dec. 18, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The widening economic divide and changing industries have left hundreds of thousands of low-skilled Philadelphia job seekers stranded outside of the knowledge-based economy. In response, The Mayor's Commission on Literacy has created a citywide, technology-based system called myPLACE™ that prepares the city's adults for 21^st-century jobs on a large scale. In its pilot phase, myPLACE™ served 3,500 adult learners. Poised to expand the program, The Commission asks individuals, employers, and funders to join its Investing in Adult Education Pays campaign so that thousands of Philadelphians can set out on their pathways to economic self-sufficiency.

Nearly half of Philadelphia's adults lack the basic education and work-ready skills for family-sustaining jobs. This contributes to the city's high poverty rate and burdens the regional economy. An average of 500 Philadelphians turn to The Commission each month for the help they need to qualify for good jobs. 67% of those assessed (with and without high school diplomas) test at the 4^th-8^th grade equivalent in reading, writing, and math. Employment, college placement, apprenticeships, and certification program tests are increasingly set at 10^th-grade levels, and assume fluency in using computers. Most jobs that will sustain a family require not just the diploma, but also technology skills and post-secondary attainment.

Nationally, 36 million workers are functioning far below the levels required for entry-level jobs according to a recent international study. As industries increasingly computerize operations, more workers find themselves unemployable unless they reskill.

myPLACE™, which stands for Philadelphia Literacy and Adult Career Education, leverages the power of technology in a centralized, citywide system to accelerate adult learning. Three myPLACE™ campuses offer registration, assessment, enrollment, and case management. Additionally, 24 literacy organizations deliver face-to-face classes in adult basic education, English as a Second Language, and GED® preparation. All who can read at the 4^th-grade or higher level are enrolled in their first online course in which learners plan their careers, create a résumé, and acquire digital skills.

myPLACE™ Online offers the nation's first completely online, cohort-based classes in reading, writing and math for low-literate adults. myPLACE™ learners are improving computer skills as they learn basic education. All learning is contextualized in healthcare, manufacturing, and logistics and transportation, three in-demand industries locally. These online offerings have increased the city's publicly-funded adult classes by 43% at half the cost of face-to-face instruction.

Audrey Adams, 53, was one of the first participants in myPLACE™. Despite having a high school diploma, Audrey knew she had to return to the classroom to achieve her goal of getting a better job. Like many who have been out of school for years, she lacked confidence in her ability to be accepted in higher education. After completing one six-week course, she was accepted to a community college.

"I started the myPLACE™ program, now I know how important computer skills are," says Audrey. "The skills I acquired in this class will be of great value to me in the future. My thirst for knowledge is so great now."

Jaime Colon, 27, is having similar success with myPLACE™ Online. He recently completed Intermediate Reading and Writing, including writing and presentations for professional purposes.

"I have learned so much throughout this course," says Jaime. "I thought I knew everything about reading and writing. I was proven wrong, and this course has taught me how to write so much better than before. When I originally started this course, my goal was to get my GED®. I realized that my path changed. I want to pursue not only a GED®, but continue my education and start college in computer technology. I would like a better lifestyle for my family."

Mimi Starks, 49, a single mother and Certified Nursing Assistant discovered myPLACE™ Online while researching a program called Electronic Health Records Certificate. Despite having taken classes at Community College of Philadelphia many years ago, her test scores were too low for admission to the job-training program.

After Mimi's first online six-week course, Foundations of Reading and Writing, she advanced her literacy level by three grades. She is currently enrolled in Intermediate Reading and Writing and her myPLACE™ learning coach expects her to qualify for the program this month. Having built her confidence with online learning, Mimi is now considering pursuing an Associate's Degree instead.

"Online classes are working really well for my schedule. I work two jobs so I couldn't commit to face-to-face classes on specific days of the week," says Mimi. "I love that I'm setting a great example for my eight-year old son about the importance of education."

The City of Philadelphia has supported the costs to develop the myPLACE™ system, including the three campuses, assessments, case management, student information systems, and six original online classes. The Commission now calls on individuals, businesses and philanthropic institutions to invest time and resources as donors, program sponsors, and volunteers to scale up this project, the first in the country that moves adults rapidly to their career goals.

"myPLACE™ has been recognized as a national model for upskilling adult job-seekers," says Dr. Judith Rényi, executive director of The Commission. "It accelerates adult learning, is highly cost-efficient, and is scalable. We're fortunate to have garnered private support from Wells Fargo, IBM, and Lincoln Financial Foundation for myPLACE™ Online. We need additional funding to expand the three campuses to serve a projected 8,000 learners in 2015, and build the system to serve 15,000 learners in 2016."

Adult education is a high-yield investment. An expenditure of only $5,000 that qualifies one adult for a good job returns $6,750 to the City and State in tax revenues and reduced dependency on public benefits each year. By building a skilled workforce, cities can attract enterprise, grow businesses, and stabilize neighborhoods. Educated adults who earn family-sustaining wages have more local spending power, provide for their families, and instill a value for learning in their children.

Learn about myPLACE™, watch a PSA, view campaign ads or a case for support at philaliteracy.org.

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SOURCE Mayor’s Commission on Literacy