National Coalition for Literacy

NCL’s Spring Growth: Welcome to New Associate Members

Jackie Taylor — Wed, 02 May 2012 13:30:20 +0000

By Margaret Patterson

The National Coalition for Literacy is now 31 organizations strong – and growing! Now that its 2012 membership drive has ended, the Coalition is delighted to welcome 7 new associate members:

Council for Advancement of Adult Literacy, New York, NY

DC Learns, Washington, DC

GED Testing Service, Washington, DC

Literacy Connections, Poughkeepsie, NY

Pennsylvania Association for Adult Continuing Education, State College, PA

R-Ally: Research Allies for Lifelong Learning, Vienna, VA

Wider Opportunities for Women, Washington, DC

—A Weekly Education and Advocacy Update

By Washington Partners

President Obama found a clever way last week to get the General Services Administration (GSA) and the Secret Service scandals out of the headlines on Capitol Hill. He visited college campuses around the country and encouraged students to contact their Representatives in Washington to protest the doubling of student loan interest rates.

It worked. The switch boards were jammed. On Monday, Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney announced his support for the $6 billion proposal to maintain the current low interest rate, though he…

Alert: Do Not Consolidate Adult Education Funding in WIA Reauthorization!

Jackie Taylor — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 19:17:48 +0000

Issue: On March 29th, Members of the House Education and the Workforce Committee introduced The Workforce Investment Improvement Act of 2012 (HR 4297). As early as next week, the full Committee may meet to markup the bill as the next step in reauthorizing the Workforce Investment Act (WIA).

Created in 1998 through a bipartisan process, WIA—the legislation which provides for adult education programs—has not been updated since then. Now, House Republicans are moving their legislation forward to markup.

The National Coalition for Literacy has several concerns…

Advocates Push for FY2013 Adult Education Funding; WIA Reauthorization Moves Forward

Jackie Taylor — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 18:30:27 +0000

—By Washington Partners with Jackie Taylor

Budget and Appropriations

The Congress has an uncanny way of exhausting itself and every advocate in town just before a district or state work period. Last week was no exception. Capitol Hill was crawling with citizens deeply committed to either keeping or tossing the Affordable Healthcare Act. They surrounded the Supreme Court building that was hosting an unprecedented three-day proceeding at which the Justices were hearing arguments both for and against the constitutionality of certain provisions of the law. There were also crowds protesting the tragic death of…

Public Policy Advocacy Strand for the 2012 COABE/VAACE Conference Strand

Jackie Taylor — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 13:00:33 +0000

—Co-hosted by the Commission on Adult Basic Education (COABE) and the National Coalition for Literacy (NCL)

We are pleased to bring you the annual Public Policy Advocacy Strand at the COABE/VAACE Conference in Norfolk, Virginia, April 9-13, 2012. To register or add preconference sessions and excursions, visit: http://www.coabeinvirginia2012.org/index.html

Tuesday, April 10 PreConference Sessions

8:30-11:30 am The Politics of Adult Education

Presenter: Art Ellison, Policy Chair, National Council of State Directors of Adult Education

1:00-4:00 pm Tapping the Potential of Social Media for Advocacy

Presenters:

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Action Needed on Senate Dear Colleague as Secretary Duncan Defends Education During Hearing

Jackie Taylor — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 14:51:57 +0000

—By Washington Partners with Jackie Taylor

URGENT ACTION NEEDED

Adult education advocates now push for Senators to sign the Webb Dear Colleague letter in support of adult education funding. (This letter is the Senate counterpart to the Roe-Hinojosa Letter circulated in the House.) However, time is of the essence, as Senators have only 2 1/2 days to sign on. Advocates who already have a relationship with their Senators’ offices should place calls immediately, requesting that their Senators sign on. Details can be found here.

Last…

Alert: Ask Senators to Sign Webb Dear Colleague Letter in Support of Adult Education Funding

Jackie Taylor — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 19:34:18 +0000

DEADLINE: Noon, March 28, 2012

Dear Adult Education & Literacy Advocate,

Issue: Just like in the House, Senators have been asked to submit their funding priorities for FY 2013 to the Chair of the Labor-HHS-Education Appropriations Subcommittee. Senator Webb wants to make sure that adult education is a priority for every Senator. He is sponsoring a letter that all Senators can sign, making it easier for Senators to prioritize adult education funding for FY2013. Since the letter does not have a Republican co-sponsor, it will be especially important for constituents of Republican…

LAUSD has $700+ Million in Reserves, but Still Plans to Close Adult Schools?

Jackie Taylor — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 02:06:47 +0000

—A guest blog article in the discussion series on Cut the Excuses, Not Education! How SaveAdultEd.org Is Fighting the Proposal to Eliminate Adult Education in L.A.

By Sean Abajian

On Tuesday, March 13, and for the second time this year, the LAUSD presented an Interim Financial Report stating that the District will end the 2011-2012 school year with reserves of over $700 Million (pg. 51 of 92 in the Scribbd.com document linked above). $707 million represents almost…

Breaking News: GED Testing Service Files Federal Lawsuit to Protect Consumers

Jackie Taylor — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 14:50:26 +0000

—A guest blog post by Randy Trask, CEO, GED Testing Service

As most of you know, nearly 800,000 adults take the GED^® test each year on their path to better jobs, training, and education. Unfortunately, there are dishonest businesses online that offer fake GED^® and high school diplomas, taking advantage of these well-intentioned adults.

GED Testing Service, in conjunction with ACE, has filed a federal lawsuit to shut down a network of fraudulent websites that are unlawfully using the GED^® trademark. These sites mislead adult learners and award false high school equivalency and GED^®…

Adult Education Empowers Environmental Activist to Lead Successful Campaign to Shut Down Toxic Plant

Jackie Taylor — Tue, 20 Mar 2012 03:50:14 +0000

—An inspiring story of how English language learning, parental involvement, basic and higher education, and civic engagement transforms lives and communities. This is a guest blog article in the discussion series on Cut the Excuses, Not Education! How SaveAdultEd.org Is Fighting the Proposal to Eliminate Adult Education in L.A.

Background: Martha Sanchez is a former adult ESL student, adult school graduate, and activist who led an environmental justice campaign resulting in the closing of Palace Plating. Adjacent to the 28^th Street Elementary School in Los Angeles, this

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