During fiscal year 2008, SPCLC members and affiliates served 11,097 students, delivering 1,021,333 service hours. Over 81% of those served - 7,920- completed 12 or more hours of instruction. Of these, 6,457 (81%) studied English as a Second Language, 1,161 (15%) Adult Basic Education, and 302 (4%) Adult Secondary Education.

• The number of participants who completed a federal NRS level totalled 43% - an increase of 4% over the previous year's level, and an 18% increase over four years.
• 46 adult learners obtained their GED or secondary school diploma.

National Honors

SPCLC was categorized as "among the top 2% of ABE programs nationally' during a federal site visit in late 2006.

The Center for Law and Social Policy (CLASP), a national nonprofit focusing on low-income and welfare issues, selected Functional Work English as an "exemplary program" for its effectiveness and innovation.

Virginia Commonwealth University, a leader in disability work, selected the Learning Disability Project as one of 20 programs demonstrating Promising Practice in working with low-literate adults with learning disabilities, as part of a federal government study.

Quality Assurance

SPCLC is strongly committed to continuously improving service quality. In 2001, an Accountability and Quality Assurance Coordintor position was created. This has evolved into a team which includes a Quality Assurance Advisor, a Student Testing and Data Base Advisor, and a Professional Development Advsior.

The Team works intensively with each member agency to actively monitor service delivery. They assist members in refining their processes for assessing and monitoring student progress, identify and share Best Practices for Adult Basic Education, conduct site visits, and otherwise assist members to provide high quality services. Professional Development is receiving increasing emphasis as a means of optimizing service quality.