Clarendon County Adult Education (CCAE) has earned national recognition for its outstanding service to adult learners, receiving two major awards from the Coalition on Adult Basic Education (COABE).
The program was awarded the Excellence in Local Programming Award and a Local Enrichment Fund grant from COABE’s Educate and Elevate Foundation. These honors highlight the program’s growing regional impact, impressive student outcomes, and commitment to adult learners.
“Clarendon County Adult Education’s vision to give back to society and help others at every turn is what makes this program truly exceptional,” said Sharon Bonney, CEO of COABE. “We are proud to support their continued impact through both recognition and funding.”
CCAE has achieved a 95% retention rate during the 2024–2025 school year, with 25% of graduates continuing their education and 50% entering the workforce.
“The impact of additional funding and our recent recognitions is tremendous,” said Lara Kolb, director of Clarendon County Adult Education. “We are not only increasing access, but also raising the bar for outcomes.”
The Local Enrichment Fund grant will allow CCAE to hire three part-time instructors to expand GED and high school diploma class offerings. The new staff will also lead workforce and career readiness certification programs, including those designed for incarcerated adult learners preparing for reentry. A new satellite site in Paxville will help the program extend services beyond its current boundaries.
The Excellence in Local Programming Award, funded by Essential Education, is given to programs that show innovation and tangible results.
“Clarendon County Adult Education is a shining example of how commitment and a focus on student success can transform lives,” said Dannielle Doyle, president of Essential Education.
CCAE’s recent move to a more accessible location has helped fuel enrollment growth. The program has also earned five statewide awards this year, including the Adult High School Completer Award for having the highest percentage of high school diploma earners in the state.
COABE represents more than 82,000 adult educators across the U.S. and works to support programs that help adult learners succeed. For more information, visit www.coabe.org or www.educateandelevatefoundation.org.
