Data Corner Our Impact
Low English skills and a lack of a high school credential present many challenges to individuals in obtaining employment that offers a living wage . Below is a chart of the people living in the eight school districts in Metro North ABE : Elk River , St . Francis , Anoka-Hennepin , Centennial , Spring Lake Park , Fridley , Columbia Heights , and Brooklyn Center .
In our consortium , the need for educational services is great . While we are meeting a great deal of that need , we could be serving more adults . With your help , we can give all adults in our community the skills they need to reach their goals .
Metro North ABE : 1,012 enrolled with less than high school degree
Metro North ABE : 988 with high school degree highest obtained degree
Metro North ABE : 817 enrolled in English as a Second Language
Total population : 18,383 have less than a high school degree
Total population : 84,376 highest degree obtained , high school or equivalent
Total population : 19,599 speak English less than well
Sites in our consortium have made great strides since reinventing our programming after the pandemic . Last year , we actually surpassed our student contact and proxy hours from 2019 / 2020 when we closed down in March of 2020 . We provided 243,304 hours that year and this past year , 2022 / 2023 , we provided 272,722 hours . However , our GED testing hours have not shown the same rise . In 2019 / 2020 , we provided 1,670 GED testing hours and this past year , we provided less than 50 % of that , 766 hours . The increase in English as a Second Language and the decrease in ABE might reflect a greater change in Minnesotans ’ educational needs .
17 +
ABE 101
Adult Basic Education ( ABE ) is a free program that provides classes to pursue a diploma , learn English , GED preparation and academic tutoring to prepare for college . Any adult 17 years and older can enhance their workplace skills to advance their careers and become more engaged citizens .
Low basic skills impact employment , earnings and economic mobility . Forty percent of working low-skilled adults in the United States have earnings in the bottom fifth of the income distribution . In the U . S ., ABE programs that are linked to employment or postsecondary education , like ours , can help low-skilled adult learners advance along a career path and improve their employment and earnings .
Through innovative teaching and the flexibility to meet students in diverse locations and timeframes , Metro North ABE serves low-skill workers in the north metro . Each year we offer new classes to meet our community ’ s educational needs .
An individual is eligible for ABE programming if they are :
17 + at least 17 years of age , and
not enrolled in K-12 instruction .
wanting to speak , read or write English , or
seeking a high school diploma , or
6
17 + seeking basic educational skills .