Adult Education Supports Children’s Education

Adult education prepares parents to be their child’s first and most important teacher.

A mother's reading skill is the greatest determinant of her children’s future academic success, outweighing other factors, such as neighborhood and family income. Studies continue to demonstrate the tight correlation between parents’ literacy, especially mothers’, and children’s success with literacy and school. A recent report concluded that programs designed to boost the academic achievement of children from low income neighborhoods would be more successful if they simultaneously provided education to parents (National Institutes of Health).

What’s the Issue?

Children’s achievement in school is dependent upon the support and encouragement of their families. Parental literacy is an often-overlooked way to turn around school performance. Learn more about including family literacy in Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) reauthorization. Get more facts.

What Do We Need to Do?

We need to raise awareness of adult education and family literacy issues nationwide, increase access to adult education services strengthen the role of family literacy and parental involvement in ESEA reauthorization, and make adult education and family literacy an integral part of the solution in addressing national priorities.

How Can You Help?

See what quick actions you can take now to support adult education: