[AAACE-NLA]HR 1261 and State Resource Centers

[hsmith@coe.tamu.edu]

At 01:26 PM 4/22/2003 -0400, you wrote:
>Hi All:
>
>I recently heard rumor that state literacy resource centers were eliminated
>as allowable activities under HR1261.  Has anyone heard or seen anything
>about this?
>
>Thanks.
>
>Ira Yankwitt
>Director of Adult Literacy Services
>Literacy Assistance Center


The short answer to Ira's question is no.  State literacy resource
centers are not listed as an allowable activity under H.R. 1261.

While H.R.1385 (Workforce Investment Act of 1998) specifically
mentioned under section 223 "the support of state or regional
networks of literacy resource centers" as an allowable use of
funds, H.R. 1261 indeed does not make that statement.

The new bill does, however, allow under section 223 subsection (a)
for "technical assistance for development and dissemination of
scientific research-based instructional practices in reading, writing,
speaking, math, and English language acquisition programs" and
assistance in "developing, implementing, and reporting progress in
achieving objectives", as well as other forms of assistance and
coordination, in addition to professional development.

Moreover, section 223 subsection (b) calls for agencies to
"coordinate where possible, and avoid duplicating efforts, in order
to maximize the impact of the activities described in subsection (a)".

It could be argued that a state literacy resource center could
provide the mechanism for coordinating the development,
dissemination, and assistance activities described under
subsection (a), especially if "development" is construed not
just as creating, but as collecting resources developed by a
variety of sources.

In some states, the state literacy resource center also coordinates
professional development -- but here in Texas, that is done directly
out of the state adult ed office, with the literacy resource center
disseminating information on professional development via the
state newsletter, online calendars, and email discussion groups.

Perhaps support of regional literacy resource centers (i.e., the
Regional LINCS Technology Centers) would be allowable under
section 223 as a form of technology assistance to programs.
They certainly serve a variety of purposes in technology assistance
to local programs and state agencies, from help with websites to
technology training to development of distance learning and more.


___________________________________
Harriet Vardiman Smith
Librarian
Adult Literacy Clearinghouse
Texas Center for Adult Literacy & Learning
Texas A&M University
800-441-READ
website:  www-tcall.tamu.edu
main office email:  tcall at coe.tamu.edu
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