National Coalition for Literacy

By Marsha Tait

In June, NCL was pleased to award three advocacy “mini-grants” to attendees at the NCL/Dollar General Advocacy Symposium that took place in Columbus, Ohio, April 21.

Awardees were: The Ohio Literacy Network, for their Collaborative Advocacy Project Proposal; the Ohio Association for Adult and Continuing Education for their Statewide Advocacy Symposium for Adult Basic and Literacy Education proposal; and Parma Adult Education Services for their Coalition for Advocacy for the Life‐long Learner (C.A.L.L.) proposal.  All three…

After the North Carolina Grassroots Advocacy Symposium held in fall 2009, advocates find strategic and innovative ways to move adult literacy advocacy initiatives forward.

Earlier this year, two organizations from North Carolina were awarded $5,000.00 Advocacy Grants from the National Coalition for Literacy: Reading Connections and Wake Technical Community College. The purpose of the grants is to support initiatives designed to build the capacity for adult literacy advocacy in the field and increase the impact of the Dollar General Presentation Series. To be eligible for an Advocacy…

NCL held its second public policy advocacy symposium this month in Dublin, OH in connection with the state-wide Partnerships in Transition conference. The symposium was planned by NCL in collaboration with the Ohio Association for Adult and Continuing Education, the Ohio Literacy Network and the ABLE Resource Center Network. Speakers included Jackson Routh from the Dollar General Literacy Foundation, Dr. Peter Waite, president of NCL, Aketa Marie Simmons, Press Secretary and Education Staff for Congresswoman Fudge, Ed Roberts, Congressional Aide to Senator Brown, representatives of local partnerships and collaborations in OH, and adult student Dawana Martin.

Did you go to Conference? Share what you learned on public policy and advocacy so other adult literacy advocates can benefit from your ideas. Advocacy is a team effort! Tell your colleagues who stayed home to bookmark this space and watch for updates.

If you did not go to Conference, this Blog offers a way you can benefit from the conference afterwards. Session handouts you can download are now available! Just click on the title of the session that interests you and you will find the handouts linked there. Share your comments/questions for any of the…

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,

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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

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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

Video Archive of Debates, Topic 1

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…

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

Handouts:

• Power Point Presentation (pdf)
• National Coalition for Literacy’s English Language Learning Policy Principles (pdf)

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

 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…

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

Handouts:

• Adult Education and Its Role in Maine’s Unified Special Education Regulations (Chapter 101) Selected Questions and Answers (doc)
• ARRA – How to Include Adult Education to

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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           

Handouts:

• Slide Presentation on Advocacy Resources (pdf)
• Advocacy Self Assessment

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Thursday, March 18, 1:45 –2:45 pm

Continental Ballroom B (Lobby Level)

Presenters:

• Brenda Dann-Messier, Assistant Secretary, Office of

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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

Handouts:

• Shifting Gears

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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)

Handouts:

• Slide Presentation (pdf)

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

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

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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…

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…