Dozens of adult education students from across California are visiting the State Capitol this week to urge lawmakers to continue investing in K-12 education for adults.
Holding signs reading “Our Education Matters” and “A Way Up is a Way Out,” Californians gathered on the Capitol’s West Steps Monday afternoon to hear stories from those for whom adult education is making a difference.
Joshua Lang of San Bernadino hopes to use the second chance he’s getting at Inland Career Education to build a non-profit organization and give back to the community.
“I’m one of those students who dropped out at an early age and thought he was going to do something,” said Lang. “I ended up stuck in the prison system for over 17 years, so having the opportunity to go and actually start my life over was a blessing.”
Thanks to classes at Sacramento City Adult School, Eric Salas is closer to his dream of becoming a court stenographer.
I enrolled because the school is five minutes from my house and it’s affordable,” said Salas. “The importance for me regarding court reporting is how much they’re making. I have a family I would like to support.”
Students will share their stories with legislators Tuesday, in hopes of returning funding levels to those seen ten years ago before cutbacks lowered the amount of money being spent on adult education.
Aiming to put a spotlight on the matter, Sacramento Assemblyman Kevin McCarty is behind a proclamation declaring April 8-14 “Adult Education Week” in California.