Background and Needs of the Program

Background and Needs of the Program Many adult educational programs exist for the undeserved populations, the programs offer an extensive variety of educational opportunities as well as personal benefits for the individuals who utilize the programs. Additionally the programs strives to enhance educational opportunities for the adults who may exist with challenges In reference to his or her education level, Income level, possesses a disability status, or resides in an unfavorable geographic location. It is not uncommon for foundations to primarily exist from the support of grants and private contributions. The JP Foundation, Inc. Not an exception to the previous statement. The following paragraphs will serve as documentation In reference to providing a background of The JP Foundation, Inc. To Include the organizations history, structure. Additionally, the following paragraphs will serve as documentation in reference to key characteristics of the program. The key characteristics will include the organizations primary activities and services. The latter paragraphs will serve as documentation in reference to the needs of the organizations program to Include diversity and how the organization will meet the needs with the assistance of grants. Organizational Background

The JP Foundation, Inc. , founded in 1985 as a private not for profit organization. The organization maintains a website and individuals can view the foundations information itself. Org. The JP Foundation utilizes the organizations financial resources to assist the improvement of the library's facilities, obtaining books, computers, and supports the library's Center for Adult Learning. According to the foundations website, the foundations mission statements exists as simple, The JP Foundation's mission "Is to provide the resources that enhance and enrich the Jacksonville Public Library' Jacksonville Public Library, 2013, Para. ). The structure of the program falls under the City of Jacksonville, Florida. The mayor of Jacksonville oversees the program, however, guided by the board of trustees, city council members, and the board officers. Key Characteristics The Center of Adult Learning, an adult educational program offered by the JP Foundation, offers adults free educational classes to individuals who may exists as educationally undeserved. The adult education classes assist students In four areas. The areas of Instruction consist of reading, math. Life skills. And English as a second language.

The Center for Adult Learning will evaluate his or her educational needs ND reading levels. The Instructors will utilize a variety of tools for the facilitation of the classes. The instructors may use computers, audio, and video tapes for avenues for the students to receive Instruction. According to Jackals, "Center for Adult Learning first began providing reading instruction to adult learners in 1985. They currently offer small group and computer-assisted instruction in reading, math, pre GEED and English language skills to more than 800 adults annually' (2009, Para. 2).

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The reading program at the Center for Adult Learning helps participants' word abilities, phonics, and Increase participants' vocabulary, Increase his or her reading comprehension, and spelling skills. According to Math, "adult learning and literacy is adverse ways. It impacts health, crime rates, employment and future generations" (2013, Para. 2). In reference to the math portion of the curriculum offered by the Center for Adult Learning, the center assists adult learners in everyday math skills in reference to balancing a checkbook, unit pricing, and using a calculator.

Previously the primary emphasis in reference to adult education has existed in reference to how adults earn and improve adult literacy skills. "However, since today's decisions are based on data, it is equally important for adult learners to develop and strengthen skills in mathematics, and for educators to identify what works best in developing those skills and create applications for adults" (U. S. Department of Education, 2013, Para. 1).

In reference to life skills, the Center for Adult Learning offer skills for participants in reference to filling out applications for employment, filling out other general forms, a driver license, and election ballots. Life skills exists as the everyday skills that an individual need to possess where he or she can "successfully live in today's world. These include knowing how to work at a Job and be part of a team, manage money, manage time, live as part of a family and learning effective communication skills" (Areas, 2013, Para. ) . The fourth area the Center for Adult Learning offer skills for participants exists as English as a second language. The Center for Adult Learning offers English as a second language to individuals where he or she can communicate in English. This course will assist participants in reference to improving his or hers pronunciation, reading, and conversation in small groups. However, the Center of Adult Learning only offers assistance to individuals who speak Spanish.

According to the United States Department of Education, "adult English Language programs are designed to help immigrants and others who have not yet developed proficiency in English to acquire the basic knowledge and skills they need to function effectively as parent's, workers, and citizens" (2013, Para. 1). Needs of the Program The needs of the adult education program exists as vast. However, the key need exists as financial. The mayor of Jacksonville, recently announced the funding for the city library will decrease by $2. Million dollars for the fiscal year 2014. As a part of the $2. Million budget cut, the funding for materials will also decrease by $173,370 for materials. Additionally, the budget cuts will eliminate 33 full-time positions. The budget cuts will have an adverse effect on the instructors and materials for the Center for Adult Learning. As a part of the budget cuts, no library will remain open Sundays, six branches will close, and the remaining libraries will remain open for a 40-hour week Jacksonville Public Library, 2013). A financial need exists in reference to, private funding and grants because of the budget cutbacks in the Jacksonville public library system and the Center for Adult Learning.

Where the program can exists as beneficial to the most residents of Devalue County the Center for Adult Learning needs to possess extended hours of operation, have current materials, and have qualified instructor to teach the classes. Currently the Center for Adult Learning hours of operation exists as Monday and Thursday 10:00 a. M. - 6:00 p. M. ; Tuesday and Wednesday from 1 1 a. M. - 7:00 p. M. , and on Fridays 10:00 a. M. - 4:00 p. M. The abbreviated hours of operation exists as difficult to maintain an effective adult learning program.

Additionally, the program employs two full-time instructors one of the full-time instructor and two of the part instructors. To run an effective adult education program for a city with over a million residents the Center for adult learning needs to employ more than one full-time and one part-time instructor. According to the National Adult Literacy Survey, "more than 150,000 adults in Devalue County read below the 5th grade level - nearly 20% of our total population" (2013, Para. 1). Finally, the Center for Adult Learning possesses a mere four computers for students to use. The computers exists as outdated, the computers operate on a

Windows 98 base operating system. A need exists to purchase additional personal computers with 21st century technology. If the Center for Adult Learning were to receive grants or private contributions, the program could exists as a more diversified program to expand to languages beyond Spanish. The Center for Adult Learning could employ additional instructors and purchase up-to- date computers to further advance the program. Conclusion The preceding paragraphs serves as documentation in reference to providing a background of the Center of Adult Learning through the JP Foundation.

The background will include the organizational history and structure. Additionally, the preceding paragraphs serves as documentation to providing key characteristics of the program. For the Center of Adult Learning the key characteristics exists as, reading skills, basic math skills, basic life skills, and English as a second language. The latter paragraphs will serve as documentation in reference to the needs of the program and advised how the program would branch out to additional languages and purchase up-to-date technology and materials. References Areas, S. (2013).

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