Adult Literacy Program - DYCD

Department of Youth & Community Development


Reading & Writing

After School
Family Support
Immigrant Services
Jobs & Internships
Office of Neighborhood Safety (ONS)
Reading & Writing
Runaway & Homeless Youth

After School

Family Support

Immigrant Services

Jobs & Internships

Office of Neighborhood Safety (ONS)

Reading & Writing

Runaway & Homeless Youth


Adult Literacy Program

The Adult Literacy Program is a partnership with the New York City Adult Literacy Initiative (NYCALI), the City's system for providing literacy and English language services for adults and out-of-school youth over the age of 16.

Programs provide full instructional and support services to anyone over the age of 16 who is not enrolled or required to be enrolled in school and who is unable to speak, read and/or write the English language well enough to participate in education or training programs conducted in English. The program connects participants to a range of reading, writing, English-language and high school equivalency/General Educational Development (GED) Tests preparation programs.

All programs help New Yorkers learn the reading, writing and communication skills they need to get a job and/or continue their education.

Programs offered include:

Adult Basic Education (ABE) programs that teach reading, writing and math to native English or English-fluent speakers;

GED programs that prepare students for the tests required to receive a high school equivalency diploma.

English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) classes that help students improve their English language communication skills