LAMP, Inc. Executive Director Betty Candler says reading is not only fundamental, but rather an imperative skill everyone must use in every aspect of life. Therefore, in the spirit of Literacy Week, which state Governor Sonny Perdue declared this week, she encourages the community to support literacy throughout Haralson County.

She stressed that education is the foundation on which a myriad of factors are based in every day life. The organization she serves supports adult education classes through the West Georgia Technical College in Waco. In addition, LAMP (Learning Always Means Progress) also participates in incentive programs and activities for adults as well as students at local grade schools based on attendance and graduation success.

She noted the effort is well-needed, considering the stark number of adults without a high school diploma or GED in Haralson County.

“Thirty-seven percent of adults (who are 25 years old or older) don’t have a high school diploma or GED, which doesn’t take into account the 16 through 24 year olds who have dropped out of school. So [a lack of] adult education has seriously had a negative affect on children,” Candler said.

She cited even bigger problems on a state level, noting that 6 million Georgia residents are functionally illiterate, according to state statistical data. The term describes individuals who lack adequate reading and writing skills needed to maintain a job, according to Candler, or even manage in everyday life. The term contrasts with illiteracy, which in a stricter sense means one is unable to read or write at all.

She said about $6,500 is spent per year on a child in school, while $300 is spent on adult education. With the number of literacy issues among adults, Candler said more money should go into funding education resources to support adult literacy efforts. She added the shortfalls of the parents regarding literacy often plays a role in their child’s development.

“The importance of the need to support adult literacy ranges from helping your children to the problems of everyone in between,” she said, while noting that investors tend to establish business opportunities in an environment that has an educated workforce.

In an effort to prepare students for the future, LAMP has partnered with the Bremen Rotary Club to participate in the National Dictionary Project. The groups provide dictionaries to third-grade students at Haralson County and Bremen City Schools.

LAMP also helps celebrate the end-of-year successes of ninth-grade students at Haralson County High School by throwing a party in recognition of students who graduate on time. Each schoolyear, LAMP awards freshman students at the high school with T-shirts that contain their projected graduation date in order to motivate students to earn their diploma on time. Meanwhile, LAMP distributes lanyards and key chains to sophomores and juniors as new incentives for seniors are underway.

As a part of LAMP’s primary goals, the group rewards adults in the adult education courses with prizes for good attendance, and they’re even eligible to receive cash prizes during drawings held at the end of every month.

Furthermore, Candler encourages everyone to support literacy as an ongoing effort in the community. “One out of six people you pass on the street is illiterate,” she said.

With that, she asks people to take advantage of local libraries and other community resources to support their academic enrichment.