Every week the Illinois State Library honors a recipient of one of the literacy grants awarded by Secretary of State Jesse White and the Illinois State Library Literacy Office. This week they shine the spotlight on Kishwaukee College in Malta.

A 29 year-old single mother, who dropped out of school after the 9th grade, realized she needed a GED to obtain a job. She took GED classes and passed every test but math. After failing to pass the math test, the woman was referred to the Kishwaukee’s adult literacy program. With assistance from a tutor, the woman improved her math skills, took the GED math test again and passed. She obtained the GED certificate she needed to enter the Certified Nursing Assistants class at Kishwaukee.