Powering Success with Partnerships: How EnGen has Influenced Student Advancement

Since 2020, New Readers Press, the publishing division of ProLiteracy, has partnered with EnGen to forge an alliance that boldly advances English language and literacy skills to establish more opportunities for adult learners. Today, more than 10,000 students have strengthened their skills using EnGen resources provided by New Readers Press.

This strategic partnership has amplified our impact in the field by giving adult learners access to learning tools that best meet their needs. This relationship has enabled programs like Wallace State Adult Education to adopt innovative solutions to reinvigorate learning.

“At EnGen, we believe that language and literacy open doors to opportunity. That’s why we’re proud to partner with ProLiteracy New Readers Press to empower working adults with the English, literacy, and digital skills they need to thrive—at work, at home, and in their communities,” said EnGen Founder and Chief Education Officer Dr. Katie Brown.

At Wallace State, ESL tutor Vikki Leggett has seen first-hand how students can excel when given access to quality learning tools. The ESL program started using EnGen over two years ago, and she said students at every level immediately became engaged with the digital platform that provides lessons and current informational text and articles in the context of careers and daily life. The program also offers opportunities for 1:1 virtual instruction and live workshops throughout the day and evening offering English social hours and extra career readiness advice students can attend on their own time.

“I’m the kind of teacher that if you find something that works, you run with it,” Leggett said.

The same goes for Mario, a student in Leggett’s class. Mario not only embraced EnGen—he couldn’t stop using it.

“He’s probably one of the most motivated students I’ve ever had,” Leggett said.

Mario began using the program any time he could—from the articles to the workshops—until one night he couldn’t.

He messaged Leggett at 9 o’clock at night when he couldn’t get into a workshop. He told her something was wrong. After some digging, Leggett discovered that nothing was wrong; Mario had exceeded his workshop hours for the month that are included in Wallace State’s subscription.

“I never had a student do that before,” Leggett said.

But it wasn’t just Mario. Leggett said nearly all of her students enter the class, and without being told, log into their individualized learning plan that they have customized to their own level, interests, and needs. It’s been so successful, that Leggett developed an entire GED® test prep class with a goal to help students pass the GED test in English.

Legget said, “Well, that year when we started EnGen, I had eight people pass the GED test that started out as an English language learner. They progressed through the program and completed the four sections of the GED test in a year. I really felt like EnGen was pivotal to helping those students.”

John Barnett, ESL Coordinator at Wallace State, said the program is so valuable to his students because they’re reading about topics they’re interested in, whether it’s the industry they work in or a hobby. It gives them skills to apply to every aspect of their lives.

 

ProLiteracy also partners with:

Learning Upgrade: Through this partnership  ProLiteracy New Readers Press provides adult learners with a fun, interactive app designed for convenient, on-the-go learning. Learning Upgrade courses teach reading, numeracy, digital literacy, workplace readiness, financial literacy, health literacy, and more!

Guild: Employers leverage this partnership to provide New Readers Press Distance Learning, helping employees earn their high school equivalency and build foundational skills to pursue career advancement, industry-specific training, or higher education.