Illinois Valley Community College adult education program has on-going funding in order to be able to continue offering its services.
The program was funded after months of concern regarding governmental funding during negotiations on President Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill that threatened several education programs.
The program, which receives $180,000 in federal funding, offers free GED preparation, basic skills classes, and ESL to 16 years and older who are outside of the formal education system.
Director Sara Escatel refers to the program as a safety net.
“If they did not graduate high school or if English is not their primary language, we catch them there. We give them a second chance, whether that is giving them an NCAT voucher if they have no transportation or giving them food from the pantry if they have none.”
The GED and ESL program alone has 330 students, all instructed by four full-time and 13 part-time teachers.
Escatel sees firsthand how opportunities trickle down family by family.
Hundreds of individuals travel to the college annually to obtain a high school equivalent certificate, and some are in college or vocational training.
Escatel invites everyone with questions about adult education program to contact her.
In her words, “Education does not have an expiration date. It is never too late to start.”