National Coalition for Literacy

—An NCL WIA Reauthorization Priority

Article by Heidi Silver-Pacuilla

Consider these statistics about how U.S. adults are using technology in 2010 and whether adult education programs are prepared to take advantage of these trends:

Broadband. 74 % of adults have broadband access at home, and 67% consider themselves as users of that access in the home. The main dividing lines for access are along socioeconomic dimensions such as income and education:

46% of adults whose highest level of education is a high school degree are broadband users at home;

• 82% of adults who have attended or graduated from college

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—An NCL WIA Reauthorization Priority

Article by Art Ellison,  Policy Committee Chair,  National Council of State Directors of Adult Education

An annual federal appropriation of at least $1 billion for adult education would represent the lowest possible figure that would indicate a serious commitment to the needs of undereducated adults in this country. The state grant appropriation level of $614 for FY11 contained in the budget submitted to Congress by the Obama administration would need to be increased by Congress to $386 million in order to reach the $1 billion level for next year.

A [ Read More → ]

By Marsha Tait and Jackie Taylor

National Adult Education and Family Literacy Week—Thank You Congressman Polis!

June and early July have been deceptively busy in the public policy arena!

For the second consecutive year, Congressman Jared Polis has led the U.S. House of Representatives in passing bipartisan legislation (H Res. 1472) supporting the designation of the week of September 13, 2010 as National Adult Education and Family Literacy Week. The resolution, authored by Congressman Jared…

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…

By Marsha Tait and Jackie Taylor

Many irons in the fire, but will Congress get it all done before November? Updates this month include appropriations, WIA, ESEA, and TANF reauthorization, immigration reform, House resolution for dedicating Adult Education and Family Literacy Week 2010, advocacy for Even Start and for including adult education in the National Education Technology Plan.

Appropriations:

Despite the fact that adult education serves approximately two and a half million of the ninety-three million adults in need each year, adult education has been nearly flat funded for almost a decade,

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Do you know someone who has made a significant difference in the field of adult literacy, surmounted barriers, and been an inspiration for others to do so?? If so, consider nominating him or her to the National Coalition for Literacy for a 2010 award. These awards receive national coverage and are used to raise the visibility of adult literacy issues among Congressional representatives and staff, media, and educational partners. Mark your calendar for the September 15th award reception in Washington, DC.

Submit the nominee’s name, business…

By Marsha L. Tait and Jackie Taylor, Public Policy Committee Co-Chairs

It’s been a busy spring for the National Coalition for Literacy! Congress was on recess for two weeks but resumed session April 12. Following is a report of NCL’s latest public policy activities.

Appropriations

The House and Senate appropriations sub-committees have been accepting outside witness testimonies; the National Coalition for Literacy submitted testimony to both. Copies of the NCL testimonies are now online. Additionally, Senators were to submit their appropriations requests for FY11 to Appropriations Chair Inouye…

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.

The National Coalition for Literacy requests immediate action now on Appropriations for Adult Education and Family Literacy:

 Action: Please call, email, or fax your two Senators with this message:

 “Please increase funding for adult education to at least $750 million to provide services to potential students placed on waiting list for services.”

Talk about the need and demand for services in your area. Share the 2009-2010 NCSDAE Adult Student Waiting List Survey and discuss the waiting list numbers in your program or state. Make

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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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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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