National Coalition for Literacy

By Jackie Taylor

Appropriations

The Senate Appropriations Committee (Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies) markup for FY11 (S. 3686, Senate Report 111-243) is now available and reflects the President’s budget request for adult education. The full House committee markup is not yet available and contacts on the Hill have indicated that we may not see an appropriations bill until after December or January.

WIA Reauthorization

A Senate bipartisan team is finalizing a draft WIA reauthorization bill and anticipates that it will…

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…

. . . along with a hold harmless provision so that no state sees any reduction in its current funding level as a result of this change.

—An NCL WIA Reauthorization Priority

Article by John Segota

The demand for adult ESL programs has been growing dramatically in the U.S. for many years, however the funds distributed under WIA Title II – the largest federal funding program for adult ESL – are calculated based on the number of adults without a high school diploma. Although all adult English learners are eligible for WIA Title II programs, according to the following…

—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 → ]

Join Members of the National Coalition for Literacy for an online discussion of reauthorizing the Workforce Investment Act, July 19 – August 6, 2010. Using the NCL Priorities for WIA Reauthorization as a springboard for discussion, comment on the priorities that are important to you and why, discuss the issues with guest bloggers, add your own priorities for WIA reauthorization, and vote on issues most important to you. During National Adult Education and Family Literacy Week, NCL will share your comments and questions with legislative staffs over WIA reauthorization.

To participate: Visit the [ Read More → ]

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,

…

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…

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

…

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,

…