Accelerating Opportunity Students Speak About Their Pathways to New Careers

Students Recount Experiences in Adult Education Pathways Programs 

In honor of National Adult Education and Family Literacy Week, JFF is sharing two profiles of Accelerating Opportunity students. Their experiences and accomplishments demonstrate the difference that education can make for both individuals and their families. We hope that you will find their stories as inspiring as we do.

• Erin Chavez is a single mother who successfully completed a certificate program in the Healthcare Foundation through Accelerating Opportunity and is now currently pursuing her RN degree with the support of her Accelerating Opportunity mentor. She anticipates graduating in May 2016. 
• Joel Perez is a single father who enrolled in the Computer Numerical Control (CNC) program through Accelerating Opportunity. He was later inspired to pursue his Associate's Degree in Manufacturing Technology, which he completed in December 2014. 

Accelerating Opportunity is JFF’s initiative to transform Adult Basic Education and career and technical education so that adult learners can build their academic skills and earn marketable credentials at the same time. Through this integrated educational model, students receive accelerated, contextualized instruction and comprehensive supports. All Accelerating Opportunity pathways are aligned with the local labor market and lead to multiple stackable credentials which helps students attain family-supporting jobs and advance their careers. Eight-five colleges across seven states are now implementing Accelerating Opportunity pathways; over 10,000 students have enrolled in Accelerating Opportunity programs since 2012.

Follow and participate in the week on Twitter! #AEFLWeek

For more on Accelerating Opportunity, see:

• Accelerating Opportunity Overview
• Lessons Learned from Accelerating Opportunity
• Accelerating Opportunity: A Portrait of Students and Their Program Experiences from the 2014 Student Survey