PIERRE, S.D.(DRGNews)- More than 43 million adults nationwide lack the literacy skills they need to get better jobs or participate fully in their communities. In South Dakota, more than 40,000 adults don’t have a high school diploma or equivalency.

Last week was National Adult Education and Family Literacy Week.

Nancy Schlichenmayer (shlick-en-meyer) is the executive director of The Right Turn in Pierre. She says their adult literacy programs serve an average of 50 people each year.

Schlichenmayer says data shows individuals who obtain their GED® make $9,620 more per year than individuals without a high school diploma.

Pierre city commissioner Jamie Huizenga (hi-zin-ga) says the educational opportunities The Right Turn provides are an asset to Pierre, Fort Pierre and the surrounding area.

In South Dakota, more than 15% of adults experience literacy issues and 24% of adults experience numeracy issues, limiting their earning potential and ability to become strong members of the workforce.

State Labor and Regulation Secretary Marcia Hultman says through a network of partnerships, state agencies have served more than 2,500 students in adult education programs since July 2020. She says that included 234 who received their GED® credential and more than 500 who studied English as a Second Language.

For more information, visit The Right Turn’s website or the South Dakota Department of Labor and Regulation’s website.