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

…

—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…

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 → ]

News from the National Council of State Directors of Adult Education

The National Council of State Directors staff has been working intensively with Senate HELP Committee staff over the past two weeks on specific issues related to a new WIA reauthorization bill. Similar discussions are beginning to take place with House Education and Labor Committee staff. This is the most promising news that the state directors have had on WIA reauthorization in the past four years. For further information contact Art Ellison, Policy Committee Chair, National Council of State Directors of Adult Education at aellison@ed.state.nh.us.

AALPD and…

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,

…

This has been a very busy few months for the National Coalition for Literacy. Initially, it was historic with the first ever quarterly meeting canceled in February due to the never-ending Washington snows. Fortunately, that has not stopped the activities of our committees, public policy work, or national advocacy trainings.    

Our Dollar General grant has produced several new technology features as well our fall North Carolina workshop. An excellent follow up session in North Carolina was conducted by Marsha Tait and Jackie Taylor in April and our Ohio Partnerships and…

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…

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,

…

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

…

For the first time ever, a panel of experts at conference will explore different perspectives on hot policy issues that affect adult education[i] in the U.S. today. COABE and ProLiteracy Members not attending conference can also participate in the debates live via Webinar.

Topic 1: Investing in the Lowest Level Learners

Video Archive of Debates, Topic 1

The first topic explores whether and to what extent federal and state monies should be invested in the lowest level of learner in an economic and political climate that is focused almost entirely on jobs creation economic stimulus.  

Topic 2: Adult Education: Situated in…

During challenging economic times, it is increasingly important to leverage resources, foster collaboration, and develop partnerships at both the state and local levels. Participants in this session will discuss how systems and organizations can work together in order to access American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds.

Thursday, March 18, 10:30 – 11:30 am

Blackstone Hotel, Inspiration Studio (5th Floor)

Presenter:

Jeffrey A. Fantine, State Director of Adult Education, Maine Department of Education

Handouts:

• Adult Education and Its Role in Maine’s Unified Special Education Regulations (Chapter 101) Selected Questions and Answers (doc)
• ARRA – How to Include Adult Education to

…

Thursday, March 18, 1:45 –2:45 pm

Continental Ballroom B (Lobby Level)

Presenters:

• Brenda Dann-Messier, Assistant Secretary, Office of

…