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Literacy coalition pitches "Turn the Page" program to county commissioners to help justice-involved youth
Summary
The Literacy Coalition in the Permian Basin asked Lee County commissioners for support to deliver TABE testing and a 12-week instructional program for 16–18-year-olds involved with the court system, citing high rates of low literacy and an estimated annual program cost the coalition says is less than incarceration costs.
Pam Randall, representing the Literacy Coalition in the Permian Basin, presented the "Turn the Page" program to the Lee County commission Sept. 25 and requested county support for a pilot focused on 16- to 18-year-olds who interact with the court system.
Randall said testing and intervention data show a significant literacy gap among justice-involved youth: "It has been proven that at least 85 percent of these individuals are considered to be low literate," she told the commission. She described the program design: a TABE assessment to determine literacy levels, followed by 12 weeks of targeted instruction (four hours per week) and coordination with New Mexico Junior College for testing and aptitude assessment.
Randall provided estimated per‑participant costs and a near-term budget for an initial cohort: "Approximately $6 for a TABE assessment and then $900 for them to actually continue ... this is for a year then we'd have about 50 individuals to start with" and presented a total annual program projection including administrative costs (transcript figure: about $152,220). Randall and board members said the model would reduce incarceration costs and improve employment prospects for participants.
Commissioners asked about prior use of the program and outcomes; Randall said the approach has worked in other places including a Midland drug court and that local partners (America's Job Center, New Mexico Junior College) have expressed interest. Commissioners expressed support and asked staff to explore options for funding and partnership.
No formal county appropriation was enacted at the meeting; the coalition sought commission endorsement and potential future funding discussions.
