House, Senate Leadership Resolve Funding for Adult Literacy

The leadership of the General Assembly has informed the Department of Technical and Adult Education that they will work with the agency to fund the $1.8 million necessary to prevent a twomonth furlough of the state's 246 full-time adult literacy instructors.

"We have just received word from the Lieutenant Governor and the Speaker of the House that they are committed to resolving this issue and that no teachers will have to be furloughed," said DTAE Interim Commissioner Ron Jackson. "That's great news for our employees and the thousands of adult literacy students throughout Georgia who are using our literacy programs to improve their lives."

It was originally feared that a budget shortfall in the program's fiscal year 2007 budget would require instructor furloughs in May and June.

The specifics of how the new funds will be appropriated are still to be determined.

"We are indebted to Speaker Richardson, Lt. Governor Cagle and the budget leaders from both sides of the legislature for the extraordinary steps that they have taken to meet the needs of the adult literacy program," said Jackson. "The care and understanding that they have shown in helping us to resolve the funding issue has been remarkable."

DTAE's adult literacy program reaches 95,000 Georgians annually, enabling many to complete their GED and enhance their job opportunities and the well-being of their families.

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