National Coalition for Literacy

By Washington Partners and Jackie Taylor

The House Adult Literacy Caucus and the National Coalition for Literacy held a Congressional briefing May 12, 2011, highlighting 21st Century Approaches to Adult Literacy. Approximately 40 were in attendance, including adult education leaders, advocates, and legislative staffs.

The briefing followed the NCL Quarterly Meeting, where Congressman Bill Goodling made a surprise visit after recovering from a serious medical condition.

Heidi Silver-Pacuilla, President of the National Coalition for Literacy, opened the briefing by reminding the audience that the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) has not been reauthorized since 1998. She urged Congress to introduce and pass a reauthorization bill so that adult education program statutory language can be as responsive as possible to changing economic times.

Congressman Roe and Congressman Hinojosa both joined the briefing and gave salient remarks on the issues of adult education and family literacy and why it is critical to focus on these issues in our nation’s efforts to turn the economy around. “The future of our country depends on how well we educate our young people,” said Congressman Roe as he spoke about the impact of earning a GED credential. “The real challenge is how do you educate once you’ve missed that [high school] opportunity? That’s what you all are doing with adult literacy and I thank you so much for that.”

Congressman Hinojosa discussed reauthorizing the Workforce Investment Act (WIA), the legislation that provides for federally funded adult education programs. “According to Texas LEARNS, we have at least 13,000 adult learners on waiting lists to get into adult education programs.” Congressman Hinojosa discussed the successes in his district to significantly reduce unemployment by focusing on education. “Given these realities, I plan to work with Congressman Roe to reintroduce the Adult Education and Economic Growth Act in the 112th Congress, a bill which will strengthen our adult education system. I strongly believe we  must adequately fund adult education programs and ensure that there’s better integration of adult education and workforce training programs.”

Guest presenters included:

Jennifer K. Foster, Senior Director for Adult Education and Family Literacy/State Director for GED Testing, presenting on the Shifting Gears work in Illinois

• Shifting Gears, funded by the Joyce Foundation, is an initiative to strengthen state postsecondary and skills-development systems so that more low-skilled workers gain the education, skills and credentials needed to succeed in the changing economy. Hear the Illinois story which has focused on bridge programs in multiple industry sectors. (adult learner success stories)

Alex Quinn, Project Director, Education Development Center, Inc., presenting TV411’s new NSF-funded initiative, What’s Cooking?

• TV411 What’s Cooking? is a web-based cooking series that puts on the front burner the science and math at play in our kitchens, in the news, and in our lives.  What’s Cooking? will be part of the newly designed TV411.org web resource for adult learners looking to improve their basic skills within a supportive online learning community. (audio podcast, Handout)
  

Steve Reder, Professor, Portland State University, presenting Adult Literacy, Digital Literacy and the National Broadband Plan

• The National Broadband Plan calls for both infrastructure development to expand broadband capacity and access as well as for training and education to facilitate wide broadband use in all population segments.  With funding from the U.S. Department of Commerce, the innovative Learner Web partnership is blending support from technology and tutors to help low-skilled adult learners to move across the digital divide and become active internet users. (audio podcast, Presentation)
  

Each presenter shared information about how they are meeting the growing needs of adult learners who need to improve basic literacy skills in order to break the cycles of illiteracy, poverty and social injustices. Jennifer Foster spotlighted “Bridge Programs” that focus on partnerships between industry, job training and adult education programs so that individuals can gain career skills which meet the needs of their community.

Steve Reder discussed digital literacy and connectivity as a strategy that our nation needs to serve and connect the most vulnerable populations. Alex Quinn shared updates on programs delivered through creative media outlets such as cable TV and the Internet.

Both Representatives Phil Roe (R-TN) and Ruben Hinojosa (D-TX) agreed that literacy skills impact every aspect of adult life. Adults who are more literate are more likely to read to their children and discuss school topics; be employed full-time and receive a higher income; use the Internet and email; and vote, volunteer and access information about current local and national events. Congressman Roe added, “adult literacy is not a democrat or republican issue; it’s a people issue. It’s about the quality of life that you have and how you live it.”

Audio podcasts of the briefing are available online:

Speaker Presentations

Q and A with Speakers

Congressman Roe Speech

Q and A with Congressman Roe

Congressman Hinojosa Speech

Q and A with Congressman Hinojosa

NCL greatly appreciates the audio production work donated by Bridge Multimedia, and especially the help of Matt Kaplowitz, president, and Brandon Bujnowski, associate sound engineer.  Thank you!