National Coalition for Literacy

 Hello!

Are you going to Conference? Plan to add your perspective to the NCL Blog. Share what you learn on public policy and advocacy so other adult literacy advocates can benefit from your ideas.  Advocacy is a team effort! Tell your colleagues who are staying home to bookmark this space and watch for updates.

If you are not going to Conference, this Blog offers a way to participate. Share your comments/questions for any of the sessions listed below. Check back for session handouts you can download.

Blog and be eligible for one of three $50 gift certificates from New Readers Press!

1. Contribute a substantive comment to this NCL Advocacy Blog…

Popularly known as the “Policy Panel” that has drawn over 400 participants each conference, this preconference provides you an exclusive opportunity to interact with panelists for an in-depth look at the federal legislative issues. National adult education leaders will update you on federal legislative developments in adult education and related areas. Then join roundtable discussions led by panelists, examine how policy affects practice, and target policy change in areas that concern you most. Create a plan; bring it home.

Monday, March 15, 8:30 – 11:30 am

Boulevard C

Panelists:

• Jeff Carter, Policy and Government Affairs Director, ProLiteracy
• Art Ellison, NH State Director; Public Policy Committee…

The session features practical, hands-on strategies for planning and implementing a successful grassroots advocacy program. Participants will discuss strategies and tactics and create action plans that integrate advocacy with community and business partnerships. Built on the successes from the National Coalition for Literacy grassroots advocacy symposia, with generous support from the Dollar General Literacy Foundation, you will hear from local and state level advocates on how they have implemented successful advocacy campaigns.

Monday, March 15, 12:30 – 3:30 pm

Boulevard C

Panelists:

• Brenda Brown, Vice President, Adult Education, Middle Georgia Technical College
• Dorothy Ferguson, Coordinator, Adult Education, Middle Georgia Technical College
• Art Ellison, NH State Director,…

For the first time ever, a panel of experts at conference will explore different perspectives on hot policy issues that affect adult education[i] in the U.S. today. COABE and ProLiteracy Members not attending conference can also participate in the debates live via Webinar.

Topic 1: Investing in the Lowest Level Learners

The first topic explores whether and to what extent federal and state monies should be invested in the lowest level of learner in an economic and political climate that is focused almost entirely on jobs creation economic stimulus.  

Topic 2: Adult Education: Situated in Education or Labor?

The second topic explores whether, in the context of…

This workshop will highlight the demographic trends and policy developments leading U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to encourage civic participation by providing tools and resources for immigrants and communities that serve them to facilitate the naturalization process and celebrate citizenship.

Wednesday, March 17, 2:45 – 3:35 pm

Northwest Seven (Lower Level)

Presenter:

Rachael Shaw, Management and Program Analyst, Office of Citizenship, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services

Please share your comments on this session or this topic in the Comment Box below; click Comment to submit.

 Part I: Wednesday, March 17, 1:30 – 2:30 pm

Part II: Wednesday, March 17, 2:45 –3:45 pm

Location for Part I and Part II: Blackstone Hotel, Crystal Ballroom (4th Floor)

Presenter:

Cheryl Keenan, Director of Adult Education and Literacy, Office of Vocational and Adult Education

Please share your comments on this session or this topic in the Comment Box below; click Comment to submit.

…

Thursday, March 18, 8:00 – 9:00 am

Blackstone Hotel, Crystal Ballroom (4th Floor)

 Presenter:

Lennox McLendon, Executive Director, National Adult Education Professional Development Consortium (NAEPDC)

Please share your comments on this session or this topic in the Comment Box below; click Comment to submit.

During challenging economic times, it is increasingly important to leverage resources, foster collaboration, and develop partnerships at both the state and local levels. Participants in this session will discuss how systems and organizations can work together in order to access American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds.

Thursday, March 18, 10:30 – 11:30 am

Blackstone Hotel, Inspiration Studio (5th Floor)

Presenter:

Jeffrey A. Fantine, State Director of Adult Education, Maine Department of Education

Please share your comments on this session or this topic in the Comment Box below; click Comment to submit.

Thursday, March 18, 9:15 – 10:15 am

Northwest Four (Lower Level)

• Jackie Taylor, NCL Public Policy Committee Co-Chair; Advocacy Co-Chair, Tennessee Association of Adult and Community Education (TAACE)
• Marsha L. Tait, NCL Public Policy Committee Co-Chair           

Please share your comments on this session or this topic in the Comment Box below; click Comment to submit.

…

Thursday, March 18, 1:45 –2:45 pm

Continental Ballroom B (Lobby Level)

Presenters:

• Brenda Dann-Messier, Assistant Secretary, Office of Vocational and Adult Education
• Cheryl Keenan, Director of Adult…

In this session, you will learn about Shifting Gears a multi-state, state policy initiative geared toward increasing the number of low-skilled adults achieving postsecondary credentials. We will also explore the barriers and opportunities in your state to the development of career pathways to college and career success for low-working adults.

Thursday, March 18, 3:00 – 4:00 pm

Boulevard A (2nd Floor)

Presenters:

• Amy Ellen Duke-Benfield, Senior Policy Analyst, Center for Law and Social Policy (CLASP
• Jennifer K. Foster, Senior Director for Adult Education and Family Literacy/State Director for GED Testing, Illinois Community College Board

Please share your comments on this session or this topic in the…

The National Action Plan to Improve Health Literacy lays out a vision and seven goals to create a health literate society. This workshop will discuss the development of the goals and strategies, the potential impact of the plan on policy, and its use in everyday practice.

Thursday, March 18, 4:15 – 5:15 pm

Boulevard B (2nd Floor)

Presenter:

Gary Podschun, Manager, Community Outreach and Cultural Competence Council on Access, Prevention and Interprofessional Relations, American Dental Association (ADA)

Please share your comments on this session or this topic in the Comment Box below; click Comment to submit.

Professional quality—including both teacher quality and the working conditions professionals need—is critical for advancing the adult education and literacy system. Learn how panelists advance this cause in their programs and states, and through federal legislation. See how you can stabilize and strengthen the adult education workforce in your area.

Friday, March 19, 8:30 – 9:30 am

Continental Ballroom B (Lobby Level)

Panelists:

• Jackie Taylor, NCL Public Policy Committee Co-Chair
• Mary Ann Corley, Principal Research Analyst, American Institutes for Research
• Richard Tariff, Director of Adult Services, EASTCONN
• Andy Nash, World Education; MA Coalition for Adult Education (MCAE) Working Conditions Committee Co-Chair

Moderator: Jane Greiner, ProLiteracy; Chair, Association of Adult…

Literacy is a strong predictor of health status, more than age, income, race, ethnicity, unemployment status, or educational level. Half of U.S. adults have difficulty understanding health documents. This presentation focuses on 1) strategies for creating partnerships between literacy and health professionals, and 2) increasing communication between patients and providers.

Friday, March 19, 8:30 – 9:30 am
Northwest Two (Lower Level)

Presenters:

• Carol Gabler, Consultant, Health Literacy Advancement, LLC
• Sue McIntyre, Consultant, Health Literacy Advancement, LLC

Handouts (added as available):

• Health Literacy Advancement Brochure (Contains Carol’s and Sue’s contact information)

Please share your comments on this session or this topic in the Comment Box below; click Comment to submit.

…

Hello fellow adult education advocates!

Jackie Taylor and I (Marsha Tait) are in NC this week faciliating an advocacy symposium in partnership with the North Carolina Basic Skills Program and Community College System and the North Carolina Literacy Association (presented with generous support from the Dollar General Literacy Foundation).  We are very excited to have 90 potential new advocates signed up for our two day session — and great participation from Randi Whitfield (VP of Academic and Student Services, Basic Skills Dept. NC Community College System) and her colleagues.  Guest speakers include Jackson Routh from DG, Dr. Peter Waite, NCL president,…