Superintendent James Colbert Jr. and Chief of Staff Danielle Bartz welcomed State Rep. Brad Buckley to the Adult Education Learning Center on March 6. Buckley is chairman of the Public Education committee and leads the group charged with overseeing policy and legislation affecting educators, the more than 5 million school children in Texas and their families.

The group met on the first floor of the new facility, stopping by each of the two murals commissioned by Colbert to help inspire students. They then met to discuss Harris County Department of Education and how HCDE serves learners of all ages.

During the meeting, they discussed challenges in public education in Texas, adult education literacy and workforce development, and alternative certifications for teachers. At the Adult Education Learning Center, HCDE serves more than 6,000 students. Those services include high school equivalency and English literacy courses, workforce certification training programs and job placement assistance and career counseling.