ADULT LITERACY

The Dixie School District does not have the internal resources to be an adult literacy provider but is able to make referrals as needed to the California public library systems, the Marin Literacy Program and other community programs.  The partnership between California public libraries and adult literacy programs began in 1984 when seed money from the California Literacy Campaign was initially distributed to 27 libraries throughout the state.  By 1985, the State legislature had established support for the fledgling campaign with the passage of the California Library Services Act, and now 23 years later, literacy programs are in place in 104 California public libraries.

The Marin Literacy Program mirrors the growth of the California Literacy Campaign.  In 1985, the Marin County Free Library began providing literacy services to 51 students through the efforts of 44 tutors, with a $31,000 annual budget funded entirely from the State Library.  MLP is now jointly sponsored by two library districts – Marin County and City of San Rafael and serves over 950 students with close to 250 volunteer tutors annually.  The budget of over $500,000 is provided by a variety of sources, both government and private.  New components such as Family, In-Mate and Workplace literacy have been added and Flagship, a colorful mobile unit travels north to Novato, Tomales and Bodega Bay offering daycare providers and isolated families resources to support early learning and prepare them for kindergarten.  With funding from the Marin Community Foundation, tutors are trained to develop skills for a variety of adult student needs and are introduced to a combination of materials that address the low-literate population of Marin County.

Marin Community College District

Adult Computer Literacy Courses are open to adults in our community.  Eligibility requirements are that the participants are eighteen years old.  Courses offered include a variety of computer literacy classes to assist participants in acquiring basic proficiency to more advanced learning.  Support for Spanish-speaking community members and community members with special needs is available.

OTHER AGENCIES

Other agencies such as the Marin Education Resource Center (MEC), the Marin Conservation Corps, the Canal Community Alliance, and Homeward Bound of Marin offer community-based adult literacy, ESL and GED programs.