Chicago City Colleges Plan to Cut Adult Education Program, Again!

Latest

Action about two years ago when the City of Chicago cut Adult Education. Photo/AFSCME Local 3506

Adult Education (AE) at Chicago City Colleges (CCC) is facing cuts to classroom hours. This is an assault on AE at CCC. Instructional hours are being cut. AE students are being forced to sink or swim. AE teachers are being forced to early retirement and poverty! 

What is AE?

AE is an educational lifeboat. It provides English as a Second Language (ESL) and General Educational Development (GED) education to lift our residents out of poverty.

  • Imagine not being able to speak English and trying to get or hold a job! That is a very scary proposition, doomed to failure.
  • Imagine trying to get a job that requires a high school degree. GED fills the gap for all of us who did not have the opportunity to complete high school. Our City Colleges fill that gap. Downsizing AE assures failure for the poor to acquire opportunities to survive. It is time to expand AE services, not cut them.

Chicago’s Obligation as a Sanctuary City

Chicago has an obligation to do more than warehouse asylum seekers. The Chicago City Colleges Adult Education program is vital to education and life-long learning for diverse student populations to overcome socioeconomic inequities. Several administrative policies are undermining this mission.

The Consequences

On Monday, Dec 12, 2022, more than two dozen frustrated AE students marched on the office of Wright College President David Potash with their grievances. Potash refused to come out of his office. Wright College Vice President Pamela Monaco agreed to listen to the grievances and promised to convey them to higher ups.

Students grieve at Wright City Colleges on 12-12-2022 / Source: AFSCME Local

AFSME Local 3506 reports that students at some campuses report administrative chaos and confusion, leaving many lost, frustrated, and unable to know what classes they can take next term, what tests are required, and other information that students need.

Together, students, teachers, and community allies will bring education justice to our communities.

+ Articles by this author

Kathy Powers is a lifetime Chicagoan. At 50, Kathy speaks out as the voice of the people. She became a revolutionary activist whose lifelong fight raises unheard voices. She is the Health Care Desk on the People’s Tribune Editorial Board.

Free to republish but please credit the People's Tribune. Visit us at www.peoplestribune.org, email peoplestribune@gmail.com, or call 773-486-3551.

The People’s Tribune brings you articles written by individuals or organizations, along with our own reporting. Bylined articles reflect the views of the authors. Unsigned articles reflect the views of the editorial board. Please credit the source when sharing: ©2024 peoplestribune.org. Please donate to help us keep bringing you voices of the movement. Click here. We’re all volunteer, no paid staff.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Featured

Government Shutdown and the Blame Game

Using a bold-faced lie President Trump and Vice President Vance blamed immigrants, particularly the undocumented, for the government shutdown now in effect throughout the country. The Republican plan would increase Obamacare payments and make Medicaid cuts.

Emmy-Winning Journalist Deported After Reporting on Anti-Trump Protest

Emmy award-winning journalist Mario Guevara was deported to El Salvador – a country he fled over 20 years ago — in retaliation for filming law enforcement activities, says the Committee to Protect Journalists.

A Salute to Chicagoans Fighting ICE

A salute to Chicagoans fighting ICE and to the food delivery worker on a bicycle who outrode ICE agents after they tried to kidnap him on the streets of downtown Chicago.

Over 60 Lawmakers Launch Investigation Into Trump Administration’s Disappearances

Some Democrats in Congress have announced they are investigating the Trump administration’s practice of disappearing immigrants to other countries.

America Cannot Afford This Dangerous Step

Americans should be chilled at government's recent designation of “Antifa” as a domestic terrorist organization (it isn't an organization). This allows for the criminalization of broad swaths of dissent, and won't stop with "Antifa."

More from the People's Tribune