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Administrator’s Corner by John Double

During the week of Sept. 16-20, we proudly celebrated National Adult Education and Family Literacy Week, a time dedicated to recognizing the extraordinary achievements of our Adult Education participants and programs. Every year, we receive performance data that allows us to reflect on the progress of our adult learners, both at the district level and within the Southeast Consortium. This year, the results speak for themselves: our Southeast Consortium is the seventh largest in the entire state, with nearly 1,300 participants actively engaged in transformative learning experiences.

Albert Lea’s Adult Learning program emerged as a standout performer, consistently surpassing state averages in every key performance area. The success of both our Adult Education (AE) and English as a Second Language (ESL) participants were nothing short of remarkable. We focused on two critical metrics: “Measurable Skill Gains” and “Retention and Persistence,” and our learners excelled across the board.

In “Measurable Skill Gains,” Albert Lea’s ESL participants achieved an impressive 42%, outperforming the statewide average of 32.8% and the Southeast Consortium’s average of 30.9%. Our Adult Education participants took it even further, with 49.7% achieving measurable skill gains — well above the state average of 30.7% and the consortium’s 37.9%. These numbers reflect not only the hard work and determination of our students but also the high-quality education and support they receive.

Our retention and persistence rates also showcase the strength of our program. Among ESL learners, 77% of Albert Lea participants were retained for at least 12 hours of instruction, and 54% continued through 40 hours. This far surpasses the state averages of 68.7% and 45.8%, as well as the consortium averages of 73.4% and 39.9%. For our Adult Education participants, the story was just as compelling: 72% were retained for 12 hours, and an outstanding 61% reached 40 hours — substantially higher than the state averages of 66.8% and 40.5% and the consortium’s 68.7% and 47.9%.

The data speaks volumes about the incredible progress and commitment of our learners, and the consistently high marks Albert Lea’s Adult Learning program continues to achieve. Our community’s dedication to fostering lifelong learning has resulted in achievements that extend far beyond numbers — they represent real, life-changing outcomes for our students. As we celebrate these accomplishments, we are reminded that education is not just about meeting goals but about transforming lives. We are incredibly proud of our Adult Education participants, their perseverance, and the remarkable milestones they have reached. Together, we are creating a brighter, more empowered future, and we look forward to continuing to Gather, Discover, and Grow as a community.

For more information about Adult Education, please contact Penny Jahnke at 507.379.4866 or penny.jahnke@alschools.org.

John Double is the director of Albert Lea Community Education.