[AAACE-NLA] ACTION: Save NIFL Campaign

[Jackie Taylor]

Hello Carl, All,

Carl wrote:
"I have been to savenifl.org and it is not clear if this site or other
efforts are to keep nifl for adult literacy only (as "Preserve NIFL's focus
on Adults" appears to indicate)or if a adult, child and family literacy
effort would be acceptable. Talking points and FAQs do not make this clear.
Highlights of what the Senate and House bills propose should be available.
Many people do not have the time to read complicated legislation to figure
this out. Are we talking about cuts that MAY lead to cuts in certain
existing programs/activities OR are certain programs/activities, such as
listservs, EFF, Bridges to Practice, etc. being targeted?"


Carl, our purpose in constructing the website was to provide a vehicle that we can use as a driving force to help NIFL keep some kind of focus on adults. While the intent is to help preserve an adult literacy-focused NIFL, that is not to say we mean to advocate for "adults only." (What about families?)  But, if we do not demonstrate our support for the Senate version of WIA, Title II reauthorization, NIFL could lose its focus on adults entirely.

What would this look like? Hard to say, but it could mean an institute focused only on children's (not adult and family) reading (not reading, writing, numeracy, other basic skills, LD, technology comfort and competence and other areas which NIFL has historically addressed.)

What happens during reauthorization then impacts what programs NIFL can and cannot support. It is my understanding that the direction reauthorization takes will set parameters for what NIFL staff can do and for which programs the funding can be used. It can severely limit or eliminate several NIFL initiatives that have been instrumental in supporting the field of adult literacy over the years.

And that's not all. The NIFL Advisory Board also makes decisions that impact the future direction of NIFL. So any time we contact our Congresspersons sharing what we value about NIFL (supporting the Senate version of WIA, Title II), copying the NIFL Advisory Board on our communiques will help to inform them what we would like to see preserved, and what direction we would like to see NIFL take.

Thanks for your feedback on our site, it is helpful! As mentioned in our letter earlier today, www.savenifl.org is a dynamic site, meaning it will continue to change as we go along. Right now, the "basics" are up and are being expanded as we speak. Talking points and FAQs will change as the political climate and our concerns change. I agree that comparisons (a side-by-side) would be instrumental in helping us to understand the differences in the two versions of the WIA bill. Perhaps the coalition could provide us support in this arena?

The key issue right now, is for us to be sharing our views with Senators and Representatives while they are back in town over the holidays. That would include:

1. Asking for their support for the Senate version of WIA, Title II reauthorization;
2. sharing what you value about a NIFL with an adult/family literacy focus;
3. asking them to share your views with Senator Mike Enzi and Representative Howard "Buck" McKeon - the chairs of the two committees from which the conference committee on WIA will be selected.
4. and when possible, copying the NIFL Advisory Board on your communications. http://www.savenifl.org/advisoryboard.html

Don't forget to email us at <savenifl at yahoo.com> letting us know who you contacted, so that we can report back here on the AAACE-NLA with the number of contacts that have been made to date!

Thanks for asking, I hope this helps!


Have a great weekend!

Jackie

Jackie Taylor
jataylor_1 at yahoo.com




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