Troubling News for Florida's Adult Learners

According to an article from the Orlando Sentinel, from this month forward, adults in Florida with literacy and educational needs can expect to pay anywhere from “$90 to $360 a year for adult-education courses,” as recently mandated by Florida’s state government. Nationally, Florida has one of the highest percentages of adults who struggle with limited literacy skills, rendering the state’s decision a bit incomprehensible. High fees will only discourage vulnerable populations—like refugees, new immigrants, and families living at or below the poverty level—from acquiring much-needed educational resources.  In my view, making it more difficult for potential workers and innovators to access public education forums is a step in the wrong direction.

The Minnesota Literacy Council, along with its network of volunteers and affiliates, is committed to keeping community education programs affordable (if not free) for learners.  In our 2009/2010 program year, MLC directed the efforts of more than 1,000 volunteer teachers and tutors, who donated a combined total of over 27,000 hours, a value of $565,217.  These volunteers worked with approximately 30,000 adult students, helping them to meet specific educational goals.

The prevailing tradition in Minnesota is to invest in the long-term success of all of its residents, which is a huge reason why our state remains a national leader in community literacy.  Although a handful of our over 500 adult literacy programs charge a $10 or $20 fee for materials, the fees are not mandated by the state, and learners are not denied access if they are unable to pay. 

As we hope for improvements in Florida, we should take a moment to appreciate the comparatively robust health of Minnesota’s community-education programs, as well as to acknowledge the crucial role of our many incredible volunteers. 


Joe Conry
MLC Volunteer Outreach