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Latest News

Introducing the Appalachian Advocacy Toolkit
The Appalachian Learning Initiative has launched the first iteration of its latest tool: The Appalachian Advocacy Toolkit
Marcus J. Hopkins
Feb 23 min read

Appalachian Alabama in 2025
Nearly 2 out of every 3 adults living in Alabama's Appalachian counties read at or below an 8th Grade level
Marcus J. Hopkins
Jan 305 min read

What's Lies Ahead in 2025 for the Appalachian Learning Initiative
Big changes are coming to APPLI in 2025, so I wanted to take some time to provide an update on some items past and what we have in store.
Marcus J. Hopkins
Jan 54 min read

Appalachian Tennessee's Struggles Continue to Mount
APPLI has been highlighting the adult literacy, numeracy, public health, and socioeconomic struggles in Appalachian Tennessee.
Marcus J. Hopkins
Oct 31, 20244 min read

The Appalachian State of South Carolina in 2024
Just 7 of South Carolina's 46 counties lie within the Appalachian Region.
Marcus J. Hopkins
Sep 29, 20242 min read

How We Define "Low-Income" is Desperately Skewed
Is it time that we stop pretending that the FPL is any kind of real measure of poverty, or does it need to be reexamined?
Marcus J. Hopkins
Jun 5, 20244 min read


Funding Failures in Adult Education
This year we began examining federal funding for adult education through various funding mechanisms. The United States has a funding problem
Marcus J. Hopkins
Feb 28, 20245 min read


What's Ahead for APPLI in 2024
2024 is well underway, so I wanted to provide some insight into what the Appalachian Learning Initiative has planned for the year.
Marcus J. Hopkins
Jan 31, 20243 min read

How Do You Solve a Problem Like Mathematics?
In 2022, out of 81 countries that participated in PISA evaluations, American students scored 26th in mathematics skills.
Marcus J. Hopkins
Dec 13, 20233 min read

HIV in Appalachia—Combating Stigma Amid Growing Backlashes
In honor of #ZeroHIVStigmaDay, the Appalachian Learning Initiative is highlighting HIV in the Appalachian Region.
Marcus J. Hopkins
Jul 21, 20236 min read

The Appalachian Pride 2023 Reading List is Live!
The Appalachian Learning Initiative kicks off #Pride2023 with its second annual Pride Reading List.
Marcus J. Hopkins
May 31, 20231 min read

Viral Hepatitis in Appalachia
May is Hepatitis Awareness Month, and the Appalachian Learning Initiative is highlighting the impact of
Viral Hepatitis in Appalachia.
Marcus J. Hopkins
May 3, 20236 min read

The Wonderful Women From Appalachia
APPLI is celebrating Women's History Month by highlighting the lives of the Wonderful Women From Appalachia.
Marcus J. Hopkins
Mar 1, 20233 min read

County-Level Adult Education Resource Listings Now Available
The Appalachian Learning Initiative has begun rolling out the latest feature on our website: county-level adult education resources.
Marcus J. Hopkins
Feb 28, 20233 min read

COVID-19 Risks Still High in Central Appalachia
Counties in the Central Appalachian Region, including those in KY, TN, VA, and WV still face high rates of COVID-19
Marcus J. Hopkins
Feb 14, 20233 min read

Black Appalachians and Adult Literacy
This Black History Month, APPLI will be featuring works by and about Black Appalachians.
Marcus J. Hopkins
Feb 1, 20233 min read

Appalachia's Growing Adult Literacy Crisis
Roughly 1 out of every 5 American adults reads below a 3rd Grade level. But, that's not the whole story.
Marcus J. Hopkins
Dec 15, 20224 min read

The Importance of HOPWA in Appalachia
Learn why the HOPWA program is important for Persons Living with HIV/AIDS in Appalachia
Marcus J. Hopkins
Dec 6, 20223 min read

HIV in Appalachia: A Tale of Syndemics
On World AIDS Day 2022, the Appalachian Learning Initiative is highlighting HIV in the Appalachian Region.
Marcus J. Hopkins
Dec 1, 20223 min read

Appalachian Learning Initiative Completes Infographics Database
The Appalachian Learning Initiative (APPLI, pronounced like "apply") has completed its initial Infographics Database.
Marcus J. Hopkins
Nov 13, 20222 min read
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