The Office of Adult Education, a division of the Office of Workforce Development, is committed to addressing the underlying barriers that prevent Philadelphians from accessing meaningful career opportunities. September is Adult Education Month, and we are highlighting the City’s key efforts to focus on the literacy and English language skills essential to building Philadelphia’s workforce.

These programs and initiatives address many of the recommendations put forth in Fueling Philadelphia’s Talent Engine, the citywide workforce development strategy released in 2018.

myPLACE℠ Campuses

This summer, the Office of Adult Education (OAE) announced both the new and renewed myPLACE Campuses for FY 2020. Residents can use myPLACE Campuses to access Adult Basic Education (ABE), GED®/HiSET® Prep, and English as a Second Language (ESL) classes.

The five campuses for FY 2020, with eight locations citywide, include:

• Center for Literacy – Peirce College 1420 Pine St, and Southwest Community Development Corporation 6328 Paschall Ave (Center City and Southwest Philadelphia)
• Congreso de Latinos Unidos – 2800 N American St (North Philadelphia)
• Community Learning Center – 2701 N Broad St and 229 W 63^rd St (North and West Philadelphia)
• New World Association – 9857 Bustleton Ave (Northeast Philadelphia)
• Philadelphia FIGHT – 1207 Chestnut St and 1233 Locust St (Center City)

OAE launched the myPLACE℠ system in 2014 to offer residents centralized access to education and career development services in community-based partner programs. To date, myPLACE℠ has served nearly 27,000 adult learners.

To enroll in classes, call OAE at 215-686-5250.

Adult Education in Community Schools

This fall, nine City-designated Community Schools will continue to participate in OAE’s myPLACE network, providing free adult education classes to learners ages 16 and older. Enrollment is open now, and classes begin in September and early October.

Adult learners can enroll in ABE or ESL classes, and must attend an intake session. Classes are offered at different times of the day, including during and after school hours.

The participating Community Schools are:

• William Cramp School – 3449 N Mascher St (North Philadelphia)
• Murrell Dobbins CTE High School – 2150 W Lehigh Ave (North Philadelphia)
• S. Edmonds – 8025 Thouron Ave (Northwest Philadelphia)
• Edward Gideon School – 2817 W Glenwood Ave (North Philadelphia)
• Kensington Health Sciences Academy – 2463 Emerald St (Kensington)
• South Philadelphia High School – 2101 S Broad St (South Philadelphia)
• Southwark School – 1835 S 9^th St (South Philadelphia)
• Tilden Middle School – 6601 Elmwood Ave (Southwest Philadelphia)
• George Washington High School – 10175 Bustleton Ave (Northeast Philadelphia)

To view the Community Schools class schedule and enrollment instructions, visit the Mayor’s Office of Education website.

ICYMI: Commonwealth Secondary School Diploma Citywide Graduation 2019

On June 19, OAE hosted the 5^th Annual Citywide Graduation for recipients of the Commonwealth Secondary School Diploma (CSSD). The CSSD is a high school credential awarded to Pennsylvania residents who have passed the GED® or HiSET® exams. More than 150 graduates most of whom were myPLACE learners, their families, and several adult education partner agencies celebrated at Temple University Performing Arts Center.

Many thanks to keynote speaker Mary Walker, PECO Director of Talent Management & Acquisition; Robert F. Smith, Comcast; Loraine Ballard Morrill, iHeartMEDIA; and Mayor Kenney.

Enjoy the graduation photo album and video, as well as Loraine Ballard Morrill’s piece on iHeartMEDIA Insight, June 21.