A recent study from the Boston Consulting Group, “Connecticut’s Unspoken Crisis: Getting young people back on track” found that 30% of 14- to 26-year-olds in Stafford fall into the “disconnected” from education group. That’s about 350 young people who have left the education system without completing their high school degree or are significantly “at risk” of doing so in the near future. Census data tells us that roughly 6% of Stafford residents over 25 do not have a at least a high school degree.
This isn’t just a Stafford problem: the Connecticut Conference of Municipalities (CCM) recently launched a public awareness campaign to bring attention to the crisis affecting young people in Connecticut (ages 14 to 26) who are off-track or disconnected from education or employment. However, if you’re looking for a more immediate solution to help get disconnected young adults (or even older adults) back on track, EASTCONN offers a solution.
EASTCONN, one of Connecticut’s six public, non-profit Regional Educational Service Centers, offers Adult and Community Programs, which provide free classes for high school completion, English language learning, and citizenship preparation for Stafford residents. Currently, however, these classes are being woefully underutilized by the Stafford community. The free programs from EASTCONN can be accessed through live online classes as well as in-person classes at many locations throughout northeastern Connecticut, including classes taught in Stafford.
EASTCONN says it individualizes each class to help learners succeed by adjusting the pacing and process to support each person's needs. EASTCONN says its staff members are patient, creative, knowledgeable, and excited to help their learners achieve their goals.
All of EASTCONN’s classes include help with digital literacy and access to a loaned computer if needed to help make sure students have access to all of the online resources. Additionally, EASTCONN learners will have help with planning their next steps after graduation – whether that is college, training, or a job. EASTCONN understands that earning your high school diploma or mastering the English language is a critical step toward a brighter future.
According to EASTCONN, Rosa, a recent graduate, said after her classes, “I understand so much more, and I have the confidence to try, to ask for help when I need it, and to move forward with building a new future.” EASTCONN looks forward to even more Stafford residents crossing the graduation stage this year.
For more information and to find a location and class schedule that works for you, call (860) 779-3770 or email aded@eastconn.org.
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