National Coalition for Literacy

By Jackie Taylor

Vote! Key Legislators and Midterm Elections

Several key legislators who support adult education are up for re-election. See Midterm Elections: what are they? What is at stake?. On page 10, Art Ellison, NH State Director and NCL Executive Board Member, discusses what adult education advocates should know for the coming election. He also lists key House and Senate Members running for re-election.

If you haven’t yet, see Project Vote Smart’s “Vote Easy” website. Vote Smart is a non profit, non-partisan organization helps you sort through the facts and find candidates most like you.

Let adult education advocates on Twitter know you’ve cast your vote! Use hashtags #rockthevote #adulted . Campaign for the candidate you think will be the best choice.

After elections, we will be asking program directors to follow up with their elected officials congratulating them. Details will be posted to the NCL Advocacy Blog soon.

.

Caucus Update and Press Release Template

The House Adult Literacy Caucus now has 20 Members. If your House Member is one (see list below), here is a Press Release Template you can use to issue a local press release letting others know what your Member is doing for adult education.

House Adult Literacy Caucus Members thus far:

.

After elections, we will update the caucus list and begin a strong push to get as many House Members to join the House Adult Literacy Caucus as possible.

For more information, see the Caucus Update and Alert Blog.

.

Appropriations

When Congress returns for its lame duck session, it must either extend the continuing resolution “CR” (which expires on 12/3), enact an omnibus bill combining all 12 unfinished appropriations bills into one large package, enact some bills individually and package the rest, or some combination thereof. However, according to Roll Call, conservative Senate Republicans are urging opposition to an omnibus spending bill and want a CR extended into 2011 so that the next Congress makes the final funding decisions.

Visit the NCL Advocacy Toolkit, Legislative Process page if you wish to refresh on the budget and appropriations process in general. Visit the Appropriations section of the NCL Advocacy Toolkit to learn more about adult education funding issues.

.

WIA Reauthorization

WIA reauthorization remains on hold. However, we are still told that we will see the Senate version of WIA reauthorization released later this year. Once the Senate releases its version, the House staff plan to publish an outline or white paper for WIA reauthorization. This should provide a starting point for advancing WIA reauthorization in the new Congress.

.

Advocates Organize in Arkansas and in the Southeast

Two recent advocacy trainings were held, one on October 20 at the NCL/Dollar General Arkansas Symposium, led by Marsha Tait and Jackie Taylor.  The second was held the following week at the COABE Regional Institute, led by Jackie Taylor and Art Ellison. Kudos to all advocates who participated and also thanks to those who posted about their experiences and action plans to the NCL Advocacy Blog.

.

NCL Public Policy and Advocacy Updates

NCL posts advocacy facts, public policy updates, reports, and resources on Twitter that are useful in building support for adult education and family literacy. Oftentimes this is the first venue NCL uses to disseminate the news in order to get it out fast. You can follow NCL on Twitter @NCLAdvocacy. Not on Twitter? Sign up (free) here.