WHEREAS, Adult education consists of programs, courses of study, training, instruction and other learning experiences, as well as counseling and services enabling persons above the age of mandatory school attendance to acquire the basic knowledge and skills needed to become informed, responsible and productive citizens; and

WHEREAS, The Department of Education's "State Plan for Adult Basic Education" reports that 240,000 people or 39% of the population of Rhode Island over the age of 25 have completed fewer than 12 years of education. The study also states that over 76,000 are reported to have completed fewer than 7 years of school. These alarming figures clearly document the need for a strong commitment to adult education services in the Ocean State; and

WHEREAS, An educated, informed populace is a prerequisite for achieving many public policy goals, including economic development, education reform and enlightened family policies; and

WHEREAS, Parents are the most important role models in the lives of children. Parents who do not stress the importance of education, and who are themselves poorly educated, will most likely serve as powerful negative examples to their impressionable sons and daughters. Not only are the consequences of such misguided behavior all too often tragic for the individuals involved, but the adverse social consequences are beyond measure; and

WHEREAS, School must help all students to develop the ability and commitment to read, write, and compute; all adults must be afforded the opportunity to acquire the basic tools of education; and every community in Rhode Island must commit itself to making adult education a priority endeavor; and

WHEREAS, The Rhode Island Adult Education Commission is guided by the proposition that "Adult Education will provide adult Rhode Islanders the educational opportunities to achieve their fullest potential as community members, workers, parents, and productive citizens." It is absolutely vital to the future of our state that the Board of Regents, the Department of Education and the General Assembly join with the Commission in a dialogue that will bring the aforementioned goal to fruition; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations hereby takes great pleasure in proclaiming May 12-18, 1996 Rhode Island Adult Education Week; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and he hereby is authorized and directed to transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to the Chairman of the Rhode Island Adult Education Commission.