Empowering Voices Through Digital Literacy

Adult literacy

San Gabriel Valley

Pilot or new project, program, or initiative (testing or implementing a new idea)

Adult literacy is a critically overlooked issue that when absent or underdeveloped, creates significant barriers to individuals’ ability to fully participate in society, access employment, and support their families. The challenges that contribute to low adult literacy rates are multifaceted and often deeply rooted. Limited access to quality educational opportunities in earlier life, undiagnosed or unsupported learning differences, and the pervasive impact of socio-economic challenges can all contribute to an adult's struggle with fundamental literacy skills.
For over 10 years, TAS has addressed this issue by providing adults with vital reading and writing skills while fostering a love of learning. TAS emphasizes family literacy, recognizing the strong link between a parent’s literacy and their child’s academic success. By empowering adults, TAS creates lasting, intergenerational change that strengthens families and the broader community

Promoting adult literacy is widely understood to be essential for enabling adults to fully engage in their communities and society. However, many adult literacy programs, including PUSD’s TAS, rely solely on using books, role-play, or other similar methods. With funding from this grant PUSD’s Twilight program will enhance adult literacy curriculum by utilizing technology. We'll use podcasts, language learning apps, and digital media creation to improve reading, writing, and communication skills. Participants will create their own podcast episodes, engage with educational apps, and develop essential digital literacy skills.
Podcast Creation: Participants learn to script, record, and edit podcasts, enhancing their communication and storytelling abilities.
Digital Learning Apps: Utilization of language learning and literacy apps to supplement classroom instruction.
Hands-on Training: Workshops on using microphones, recording software, and digital platforms.
Community Engagement: Podcast topics will focus on local issues, fostering civic participation and shared stories.
The hands-on, project-based lessons will give learners the chance to work together, share their stories, and explore topics that matter to them. Finished podcasts will be shared with the community, offering a platform for authentic voices and local stories. This approach helps adults not just learn literacy skills, but also become more confident and engaged members of their community.

If successful, TAS’s program will provide a blueprint for a different approach to adult literacy in Los Angeles County. In the short term (Oct 2025–Oct 2026), we aim to boost literacy and digital confidence among adult learners through podcast creation, app-based learning, and hands-on tech training. Participants will improve reading, writing, and communication skills while developing real-world digital fluency. Long term, this model will be refined and scaled to additional adult schools across the county. By combining literacy instruction with digital media tools, we’ll create empowered, tech-savvy adults who are more engaged in civic life, better equipped for employment, and able to support their children’s education, strengthening families and communities across LA County.