National Coalition for Literacy » Reauthorizing the Workforce Investment Act

Tips for Using Blog Discussions to Advance WIA Reauthorization Issues

Jackie Taylor — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 17:29:31 +0000

Article by Jackie Taylor

From July 19 – August 6, the National Coalition for Literacy held a guest blog discussion on Reauthorizing the Workforce Investment Act – what is a priority for you? Even though these discussions are “formally” over, the conversations are continuing. (See, for example, the discussions on NRS reform, technology, the Center, and intensity and duration.)

We have thousands of users who spend…

What are YOUR Priorities for Reauthorizing the Workforce Investment Act?

Jackie Taylor — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 14:12:52 +0000

During July 19 – August 5, 2010, guest bloggers from the National Coalition for Literacy have shared their thoughts with you as to why each of the NCL WIA Reauthorization priorities are important. Many readers have posted timely, relevant, and thought provoking comments in response. But are all of your priorities for WIA reauthorization on the Coalition’s list?

For easy reference, here are links to all articles on the Coalition’s WIA Reauthorization Priorities (You can also find these by clicking on Reauthorizing the Workforce Investment Act in the Categories box on the right.)

Tell us, what are YOUR priorities for…

Use A Consistent Definition of Adult Education and Allowable Local Adult Education Activities

Jackie Taylor — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 14:07:28 +0000

. . . in Title I and Title II. [i]

—An NCL WIA Reauthorization Priority

Article by Jackie Taylor

In the Workforce Investment Act (WIA), several terms are defined in the beginning of the Titles. These definitions are then used as a foundation for crafting the legislation. WIA Title II authorizes federally-funded adult education and family literacy programs. You can find definitions for Title II in Section 203. As times change and the country’s needs change, definitions are added or altered to address these needs.

The problem arises when definitions within…

Create a Separate Funding Stream in Title I for the Operation of the One-Stop Delivery System

Jackie Taylor — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 11:33:14 +0000

—An NCL WIA Reauthorization Priority

Article by Art Ellison

A separate line item for infrastructure services for the One Stop Systems in Title I is required to prevent the huge reduction in state administrative funding for adult education. Other proposals to provide this funding would result in approximately 2/3 of the current 5% state administration funding under Title II going into this infrastructure fund.

That would mean the reduction of 66% of the adult education state administrative services currently being provided to the field under Title II. The alternative which would be to take the funds out of programs…

Fund Programs of Sufficient Intensity and Duration for Participants to Achieve Substantial Learning Gains

Jackie Taylor — Tue, 03 Aug 2010 12:52:16 +0000

. . . recognizing that programs providing individual instruction may provide fewer hours than programs employing group instruction.

—An NCL WIA Reauthorization Priority

Article by Jeff Carter, Director of Policy and Government Affairs, ProLiteracy

Everyone wants adult learners to move as quickly as possible to achieve their educational and career goals. The problem is that many adult learners have multiple demands on their time due to work and family circumstances—making highly intensive, uninterrupted participation in instruction unrealistic. This is why the potential benefits of higher intensity and duration of instruction should be balanced with the recognition that adult learners face

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Fund Research and Development Projects to Identify, Disseminate, and Support the Transfer of Findings Into Best Practices in Adult Education

Jackie Taylor — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 12:35:03 +0000

—An NCL WIA Reauthorization Priority

Article by Jackie Taylor

As Nickie Askov discussed in her July 30 article on a research center, the adult education and literacy field has unique challenges not addressed by other fields. Thus, we cannot rely on other fields to conduct this research for us. In fact, we think research is so important, we made it a separate priority apart from the recommendation for a National Center for Adult Education, Literacy, and Workforce Skills.

We welcome your comments on any of the following questions:

Why, from your perspective, is…

Establish an Independent National Center for Adult Education, Literacy and Workforce Skills

Jackie Taylor — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 04:38:18 +0000

. . . to provide the resources necessary to improve practice and provide high quality services to the adult education community and those they serve.[i]

—An NCL WIA Reauthorization Priority

Article by Nickie Askov

As former board member and research chair of the NCL, I have been concerned about the lack of funding for research, especially with the termination of a national research center for adult education and literacy. The Institute for Education Sciences (IES) in the US Department of Education funded a national research and development center in adult education/literacy at Harvard University (National Center for the Study of…

Eliminate the Current Incentive Grant Program

Jackie Taylor — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 05:16:59 +0000

. . . and allow those funds to be added to the formula grants for states.

—An NCL WIA Reauthorization Priority

Article by Art Ellison

The rationale for changing the administration of Incentive Grants under Title I-II rests mainly on the fact, that for the past five years, all of the money for the grants has come from Title II. Earlier in the life of the Act Title I also had funds in this pot but their payments into the Incentive grant fund seemed to end when the current WIA legislation went into one year extensions beyond the original…

Authorize and Codify the English Literacy and Civics Part of Title II

Jackie Taylor — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 06:35:35 +0000

—An NCL WIA Reauthorization Priority

Article by John Segota

Most federal funding programs are created through authorizing legislation, and then funded annually through the appropriations process. The EL/Civics grant program came about in a different way: it started first as a demonstration grant at the U.S. Department of Education, and has been funded annually for over a decade, but lacks the actual legislative backing to authorize the program. This creates a significant disadvantage for the program, as it only really exists on a year-to-year basis, rather than having the opportunity to grow. Moreover, without authorizing language, the program could disappear…

Fund a Review of, and Update, the National Reporting System

Jackie Taylor — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 12:49:45 +0000

. . . to ensure that required outcomes measures are appropriate for all levels of adult education students.

—An NCL WIA Reauthorization Priority

Article by Peggy McGuire

How might the National Reporting System (NRS) be reformed in order to best serve the needs of adult learners? Whether or not WIA is reauthorized this year, we should continue to move NRS reform forward. Thoughtful dialogue and recommendations are needed and welcomed from YOU! Just enter your comments and recommendations for NRS reform in the Comment box below. Your contributions will also show policy makers that there is significant interest in this…