Adult Basic Education & Literacy

We help adults achieve a range of skills and goals

The Adult Basic Education program is designed to help learners improve their reading and writing skills, while achieving specific goals they want to accomplish as part of their learning experience.

Many adults born and raised here in the United States are in need of help with basic literacy skills. Here in Rhode Island, one in every five adults is at the very lowest literacy skill level. Many of these adults come to us for help. Every adult learner receives a free literacy assessment by a trained specialist. This assessment provides information on current literacy strengths as well as opportunity areas.

Students have a range of needs and interests:

• Many want to find a job, or get a better job to support their family.
• Others need help with basic survival skills, such as reading prescription medication instructions or writing out checks to pay their monthly bills.
• Many learners have a goal of reading to their children or grandchildren.
• More advanced learners may want help with spelling and writing for work, or skills to help them obtain a GED.

Education that lasts a lifetime

Through the program, every student is matched with a trained volunteer tutor. Each tutor and student meet at a library or other location in the community on a weekly basis to work on improving basic skills. Depending on a student's needs, tutors may focus on pronouncing words, identifying and defining words, or bringing meaning to words and sentences. The tutor and student together build a "portfolio" of accomplishments that track successes and highlight the student's work.

Literacy Volunteers in Rhode Island has been providing Adult Basic Education tutoring for learners since 1980. We've helped thousands of learners improve their reading and writing skills. Programs are offered statewide through a network of six affiliates. We've developed tutoring techniques and approaches that bring lasting results and life-long change to learners.

• If you or someone you know might want to become a student, click here.
• If you or someone you know is interested in becoming a volunteer, click here.