[AAACE-NLA] Supporting the Senate Version-Reasons Given

[Debbie Yoho]

Thanks to George for this succinct summary.  Today we just finished our
little "legislative luncheon" (just pizza!) focusing on Senator Lindsay
Graham whose local director was here.  In attendance were a few adult ed
directors from around the state, members of my Board, who represented a
business perspective, and someone from the One Stop.  Unfortunately, adult
learners were not in attendance.

Below is the outline of the talking points I used for a 20 minute
presentation, in case this is of use to anybody.  We assumed that the
director knew nothing at all about adult ed.  We were right, by the way.  

It's a start.  The director offered help from her office in finding sources
of federal funds for our programs beyond the WIA (!).  And now I have carte
blanche to call her anytime, as well as an intro to the DC staff.   I think
we made an impression.  Total cost:  $35 for pizza and cokes.  A worthwhile
investment, I hope.  


Talking points:

Adult Education & Literacy
Legislative Luncheon
Federal Re-authorization of the Workforce Investment Act

Adult education…...
Establishes opportunities for lifelong learning,  not only remedial
education.  
Provides these opportunities for adults who would not otherwise have them.
Is critical to economic development.

Adult literacy instruction...
Involves a multitude of skills for adult life, not just reading, writing
and speaking.
Must respect the adult’s expectation of customized, personalized services.
Is based on an adult partnership, not a teacher/student relationship. 

The House version of the WRA…..
Treats adult education as a field indistinct from children’s education
Moves the definition of literacy away from applied skills to
reading/speaking proficiency ONLY
Rejects the research that teaching adults is different from teaching
children.
Dismantles the multidisciplinary collaboration of education and labor

The House version…..
Seriously undermines the instructor’s access to best practice information
by shifting NIFL’s focus to children’s literacy
Appears overly influenced by narrow special interests.

The House version….
Does not allow federal resources for Literacy Resource Centers, critical
for the dissemination of improved practices


Deborah W. Yoho
Co-moderator, NIFL-Health Listserv
President, SC Adult Literacy Educators
Executive Director, Greater Columbia Literacy Council
2728 Devine Street,  Columbia, SC  29205
803-765-2555   Fax  803-779-8417   dwyoho at earthlink.net