National Coalition for Literacy

The National Coalition for Literacy and VALUEUSA are proud to bring you Spotlight on Achievement, a national initiative to honor adult learner success stories in conjunction with National Adult Education & Family Literacy Week.

Beginning September 2012, we are collecting adult learner success stories from local programs. Upon successful submission, each submitter will receive a press release template to honor the learner locally and a certificate of achievement to present to the learner.  The learner’s story will be published on the NCL website.

Then beginning January 2013, we will…

House Adult Literacy Caucus Co-chairs Phil Roe (R-TN) and Rubén Hinojosa (D-TX) have made public statements in support of adult education and family literacy as part of their efforts to raise awareness during National AEFL Week. Are your local, state, and/or federal public officials speaking from the podium or offering testimonials or other supportive remarks during National AEFL Week?

If so, we want to know.  Email the quote to ncl@ncladvocacy.org.  Tell us who the quote is from and indicate where the statement was made. (Ex: local program event, news article, etc.)  We will add your…

September 10-16, 2012

The National Coalition for Literacy (NCL) invites you to browse, use or adapt any of these new resources in final preparations for National AEFL Week. Continue checking back here as we will keep adding resources and updates through September 16.

• Local Press Release Template
• Adult Education, Jobs, and the Economy Fact Sheet
• Buttons, Banners, Flyers
• Campaign Resources from National AEFL Week Partners for Administrators and Instructors
• Social Media Activities and Messaging

Details:

Local Press Release Template: Fold in local data in highlighted portions and…

—Cultivating Champions in Congress

House and Senate Resolutions | Spotlight on Achievement | Vote for the Dates for AEFL Week 2013!

House and Senate Resolutions

This August, two resolutions – H.Res. 756 and S.Res. 546—have been introduced in Congress recognizing National Adult Education & Family Literacy Week for September 10-16, 2012!

For the fourth consecutive year, Congressman Jared Polis (D-CO)…

Congressman Jared Polis (D-CO) is introducing a resolution in the House of Representatives to recognize the week of September 10, 2012 as National Adult Education & Family Literacy Week! Would you like your U.S. Representative to support adult education and family literacy by cosponsoring this resolution?

If so, then please call his or her office today, requesting your U.S. Representative sign on as a co-sponsor.

Deadline to sign as a cosponsor: July 31, 2012

Instructions:

1. Call your U.S. Representative’s office. Ask to speak to the legislative staff who covers

…

National Adult Education & Family Literacy (AEFL) Week is September 10-16, 2012. You can vote to determine next year’s dates, for 2013 and beyond. Just answer each of the 9 questions in this quick poll. The week with the most votes will become the week for National AEFL Week next year, in 2013.  Deadline to vote is September 7, 2012.

Vote today and share this link with those who you think would like to vote, too: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/Vote-for-AEFLWeek2013

For recent resources designed to assist you in raising public awareness of adult…

The National Coalition for Literacy is pleased to feature case studies of adult education and family literacy programs that have successfully raised public awareness, leveraged funding and resources, and informed policy makers of the impact adult education and family literacy makes in our country. Learn from other programs’ experiences in hosting awareness-raising activities during National AEFL Week.

AEFL Week Case Studies (PDF)

Interact with the authors of each story. Post your comments or questions for them at these links:

Student Leaders as Advocates, by Laura Porfirio and Regina Suitt

Annual Durango Coffee Festival, by Kelly Quach

11 Tips

…

—Article in the Guest Blog Series on Activities Designed to Promote Adult Education & Family Literacy (AEFL) During National AEFL Week

By Jackie Taylor, Ellen Fern, and Marsha Tait

National Adult Education & Family Literacy (AEFL) Week is a terrific opportunity for adult educators nationwide to elevate adult education and family literacy with the general public.  The goal of National AEFL Week is to work side-by-side in every state, territory, and district, to heighten public awareness, strengthen alliances, and increase the number of people who understand the vital…

—Article in the Guest Blog Series on Activities Designed to Promote Adult Education & Family Literacy (AEFL) During National AEFL Week

By Jackie Taylor, Ellen Fern and Marsha Tait

Adult education has often been called education’s “best kept secret.” Yet we know from experience that the general public should be better informed about the need and demand for services and the lives impacted as a result of participating in adult education programs. With National Adult Education & Family Literacy Week around the corner (September 10-16,…

—Article in the Guest Blog Series on Activities Designed to Promote Adult Education & Family Literacy (AEFL) During National AEFL Week

By Michele Erikson

Wisconsin Literacy, Inc.

Madison, Wisconsin

The 1200 Tutors in 12 Weeks campaign is a partnership between Wisconsin Literacy and its member agencies. It brings statewide awareness to the adult literacy issue, calling on community volunteers to meet the challenge of tutoring by signing up for tutor training at their local literacy agency.  Local agencies then receive financial support from…

—Article in the Guest Blog Series on Activities Designed to Promote Adult Education & Family Literacy (AEFL) During National AEFL Week

By Patsy Pearson

McNairy County Adult Education/Family Literacy

Selmer, Tennessee

The McNairy County Adult Education Program submitted a proclamation request to Tennessee Governor…

—Article in the Guest Blog Series on Activities Designed to Promote Adult Education & Family Literacy (AEFL) During National AEFL Week

Submitted by Rebekah White-Williams

Crockett County Adult Education

Alamo, Tennessee

Upon receiving information about National Adult Education & Family Literacy Week, I immediately went to work planning an event that would recognize adult learners in our program and their families.  I knew I wanted it to be an event of dignity and honor.  I also knew I wanted our senator and representative…

—Article in the Guest Blog Series on Activities Designed to Promote Adult Education & Family Literacy (AEFL) During National AEFL Week

By Billie Izard

Certified Literate Community Program

Technical College System of Georgia

Atlanta, Georgia

Georgia Adult Literacy Advocates (GALA)

In Georgia, the Certified Literate…

—Article in the Guest Blog Series on Activities Designed to Promote Adult Education & Family Literacy (AEFL) During National AEFL Week

By Kelly Quach

Durango Adult Education Center

Durango, Colorado

The Durango Adult Education Center hosts an annual Coffee Festival to celebrate Adult Education and Family Literacy Week.  We started the event around the tagline, Drink Lattes for Literacy! This September will be our 8^th annual event.

We chose this activity to highlight our Center and the services we offer in…

—Article in the Guest Blog Series on Activities Designed to Promote Adult Education & Family Literacy (AEFL) During National AEFL Week

By Laura Porfirio and Regina Suitt

Pima College Adult Education, Tucson, Arizona

AZ Association for Lifelong Learning (AALL)

When we think…

Mark your calendar—National Adult Education & Family Literacy Week is September 10-16, 2012!

The goal of National Adult Education & Family Literacy (AEFL) Week is to work side-by-side in every state, territory, and district, to heighten public awareness, strengthen alliances, and increase the number of people who understand the vital role adult education and family literacy plays in our nation’s well-being.

Nearly four months away, what can you start doing now to prepare?

Communications Planning

NCL will send you a communications plan next week—one that…

By Jackie Taylor

National Adult Education and Family Literacy Week 2011 saw a large upsurge in local activities and events, raising awareness of the important role literacy has in our lives and communities. Thank you to everyone who participated in raising awareness this week and during the month of September.

What were some of the results of your efforts? Here is what we know, what we found online and what advocates sent to us:

• The National Coalition for Literacy tracked numerous news reports, [ Read More → ]

—Gearing Up for National Adult Education and Family Literacy Week 2011

Article by Jackie Taylor

2011 has posed many significant challenges for education, including adult education and family literacy programs. For the last two years, Congressman Jared Polis has championed a House Resolution dedicating National Adult Education and Family Literacy Week. Now in the 112^th Congress, the rules have changed a bit, blocking debates and votes on resolutions that celebrate events.

Nevertheless, Congressman Polis understands how important this resolution is to us, as it serves to…

By Jackie Taylor

Many supporters celebrated National Adult Education and Family Literacy Week September 13 – 19, 2010. Thank you to all who participated, making it such a huge success!

“This week was an opportunity to elevate adult education and family literacy nationwide with policymakers, the media, and the community,” said Spiros Protopsaltis, Senior Policy Advisor with Congressman Polis, during the NCL Literacy Leadership Awards reception on September 15.

Congressman Jared Polis led the US House of Representatives in dedicating this week for two consecutive years. Each year, the House must repeat the process to dedicate the week for adult…

—Raising Awareness and Recruiting Advocates

By Jackie Taylor

September 13 – 19, 2010 is National Adult Education and Family Literacy Week. This is a time to celebrate adult and family literacy learners and their successes. Yet we must also take a hard look at the state of adult and family literacy nationwide and ask ourselves, What are we going to do—and do differently—to raise the priority of adult education and family literacy in our country?

Adult education and family literacy is by-and-large an invisible issue advanced by a small group of committed advocates, largely from within the field. We must…

By Jackie Taylor

In the July 2010 Public Policy and Advocacy Update, Marsha Tait and I shared with you information about the field’s recent success in working with Congress to dedicate National Adult Education and Family Literacy Week for September 13-19, 2010. That information is also below for easy reference.

As we gear up for celebration activities, we’d like to hear from you.

What are your plans for raising awareness during National Adult Education and Family Literacy Week?

What activities will you host? What different media venues will you use? (TV, radio, online via Facebook, blogs, Twitter, etc.)
…

Update and Thanks!

Dear Adult Literacy Advocates:

Thank you to all who contacted their Members of Congress in response to alerts on this issue. Your calls made a difference!

Special thanks to advocates in Colorado for their advocacy work with Congressman Polis. Congratulations to advocates in New York, Arizona, Texas, California, Maryland, Kentucky, Michigan, Georgia, North Carolina, Maine, DC, Minnesota, Virginia, Pennsylvania, Arkansas, Tennessee and the Northern Mariana Islands who cinched commitments from House members to co-sponsor the resolution (H. Res. 1472).

If your House Member co-sponsored the resolution, now is a good time to follow up with a note

…

By Jackie Taylor

Many of you are keeping a watchful eye on the horizon for National Adult Education and Family Literacy Week 2010. Here’s some background and a status update:

Background:

Last year, the House made a one-time dedication for Adult Education and Family Literacy Week. This was a highly successful effort in raising awareness nationwide of the importance of adult education and family literacy in 2009.

This year, Congressman Jared Polis is once again taking the lead in dedicating this high honor for adult education and family literacy in 2010.

Status-to-date:

May…

The US House of Representatives passed H.Res.707, designating Adult Education and Family Literacy Week for the week of October 18, 2009, by a vote of 412-0.  The Resolution does the following:

 Resolved, That the House of Representatives–

 (1) supports the designation of National Adult Education and Family Literacy Week, including raising public awareness about the importance of adult education and family literacy;

 (2) encourages people across the United States to support programs to assist those in need of adult education and family literacy…