The Clark County Literacy Coalition (CCLC) is dedicated to increasing the level of functional literacy among the people of Clark County and surrounding areas. The CCLC has four literacy programs: Basic Literacy, English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL), Teaching Children to Read (TCR) and Certified Tutor Training. Basic Literacy, ESOL and Certified Tutor Training are all funded by United Way. Additionally, these programs include orientations, pre- and post- assessments, and disability screenings for vision/hearing and visual stress. Once complete, students are paired one-on-one with a tutor. This allows for lessons to be tailored to the individual student’s need/goals. Certified Tutor Training trains and provides certified tutors to the CCLC, after-school programs, churches, and community organizations.
The 2010 U.S. Census showed that only 87% of those 25 and older in Clark County people who have received a high school diploma or its equivalent. Providing literacy tutoring to adults can also benefit their child’s education. According to the Seeds of Literacy, a mother’s reading skills is the greatest determinant of her children’s academic success.
The Basic Literacy program currently addresses the low literacy rate among the people of Clark County and surrounding areas. This program was designed to help individuals increase their basic literacy knowledge so that they can improve their daily lives in the community and at home. Improvement can be something as simple as being able to fill out a medical form, write a resume, and fill out a job application. It can be as difficult as studying for and passing the GED. It can be as important as self-improving in order to help their own children with school work or obtaining or maintaining a job.
In 2017, CCLC served 65 ESOL students, 77% of which showed success. Additionally, in the past year, two students earned their U.S. Citizenship and another earned her STNA license. According to the US Census’ 2008-2012 American Community Survey, 4,900 people of Clark County speak a language other than English at home. Of that number, 1,725 people speak English less than “very well”. Furthermore, during the most recent National Assessment of Adult Literacy, 1.9% of those surveyed in Clark County could not respond due to language barriers.