[AAACE-NLA] Letter to Senator Dodd

Sat Jan 31 10:45:26 EST 2004

Below is an example of how the annecdote idea would work. We all know that NIFL groups are a powerful tool to enhaance educator's knowledge and skills. so, as a result of NIFL, I acquired knowledge to provide comprehensive services to my students that allowed them to get their GED, certificate or whatever, and, have allowed them to overcome tremendous adversity. attached are some examples of what we have been able to provide to our students, as a result of the tremendous support from NIFL. We attached 20 annecdotes and we refer senator Todd to "www.annecdotes.com" for an additional 1,000. So, in cutting NIFL, senator Dod will be cutting services for women like Mary, and thousands of others just like her. the threat is that every time politicians don't support a valuable program, their list goes to the press with the annecdotes. 

andres 

In a message dated 1/30/2004 7:45:03 PM Eastern Standard Time, David Rosen <djrosen at comcast.net> writes:

>George,
>
>Your letter is superb.  I urge others who are looking for a model, to 
>consider it, including the fine way in which you have addressed the 
>concern that some may have about "lobbying."   You make it clear that 
>it is your right, responsibility and privilege as an American citizen 
>to inform your elected officials.  I share and celebrate the democratic 
>values which your letter represents.  I hope we have your permission to 
>add you to the list of others from Connecticut  in the Advocacy Hall of 
>Honor.
>
>David J. Rosen
>djrosen at comcast.net
>
>
>On Friday, January 30, 2004, at 09:00 PM, George E. Demetrion wrote:
>
>> I finally got this out today.  It was a tough write, working through 
>> all
>> the labyrinths.
>>
>> George Demetrion
>> ___________________
>>
>> Dear Senator Dodd:
>>
>> This spring the Senate and House conferees will meet to finalize the
>> Workforce Investment Re-Authorization Act.  I ask for your energetic
>> support of the Senate version, which preserves essential functions of 
>> the
>> National Institute for Literacy's focus on adult literacy, which are
>> jeopardized in the House version.
>>
>> Under the leadership of President George H.W. Bush, the National 
>> Literacy
>> Act of 1991 established the National Institute for Literacy (NIFL), 
>> which
>> has provided critical leadership and coordination for adult literacy
>> programs across the nation for the past decade in a manner that has 
>> been
>> nothing less than magnificent for a hard-pressed field with very 
>> limited
>> support services.
>>
>>  As a result of presidential leadership under the senior Bush
>> administration as well the commitment of First Lady, Barbara Bush to
>> family literacy, the field of adult literacy hit a high stride in the
>> 1990s.  During this period, state and regional literacy centers working
>> in close connection with NIFL were set up across the nation.  These
>> centers have strengthened local programs, disseminated valuable studies
>> and curriculum guides, and have brought together practitioners across
>> programs to work on important matters related to the delivery of
>> first-rate adult education programs.
>> These resource centers have been an important extension of NIFL's  
>> work,
>> but their continuation is not included in the House version of the
>> Workforce Investment Re-Authorization bill.   This is a major concern.
>>
>>  Also of critical importance is NIFL's flagship program, the Equipped 
>> for
>> the Future project.  This standards-based adult education model helps
>> adults focus sharply on the basic skills they need to succeed in their
>> lives as workers, family members, citizens, and lifelong learners.  
>> This
>> EFF framework has emerged through years of research, piloting, and 
>> staff
>> development.  It is now being utilized by thousands of students across
>> the country.  Though promoted by NIFL for almost a decade, this 
>> flagship
>> program is now in jeopardy in the House version of the Re-Authorization
>> Act, which focuses narrowly on reading only.  By contrast, EFF 
>> integrates
>> basic skill development in reading and writing with core content
>> knowledge that adults need to master in the important social arenas of
>> employment, family education, and citizenship.  The emphasis on 
>> literacy
>> (as opposed to merely reading) in the Senate version speaks to this
>> broader educational vision highlighted in the EFF project.
>>
>>  NIFL has also created resources, which enables practitioners across 
>> the
>> country to exchange ideas and share resources in additional ways.  For
>> example, NIFL has developed a strong web-based communication system
>> through its LINCS (Literacy Information and Communication System) and
>> electronic discussion forums in such areas as ESL, family literacy,
>> learning disabilities, health literacy, and professional development.
>> When combined with the leadership and coordinating role of NIFL, EFF,
>> LINCS, and the electronic discussion forums, all better supported 
>> through
>> the Senate version, the field of adult literacy has achieved a high 
>> level
>> of professionalism that it had sought to attain for two decades.
>>
>> Because of its broader definition of literacy than that of merely
>> reading, these programs all have a better chance of continued support
>> with the passage of the Senate version.  The Senate version, moreover,
>> contains key provisions from the 1998 Title Two, Adult and Family
>> Literacy Act that supports the state and regional literacy resource
>> centers, and a specific coordinating and leadership role for NIFL.  
>> These
>> provisions are not contained in the House version.
>>
>>  Given the progress the field has made over the past decade, now is not
>> the time to go backward.  Please support the Senate version of the
>> Workforce Investment Re-Authorization Act with unswerving vigor!
>>
>>  Because of concerns about unclear laws related to lobbying, I write 
>> as a
>> private citizen.  I actively work in the field as a practitioner from
>> your state and have authored over a dozen published articles in the
>> field.  I have been at this work since 1987 and know how important 
>> adult
>> literacy programs are to those many students who participate in them.
>>
>>  Thank you for your consideration.
>>  Sincerely,
>>
>>  George Demetrion
>>
>> c.c.  Senator Mike Enzi, M. Carmel Borders, Secretary Rod Paige,
>> Secretary Elaine Cho, Secretary Tommy Thompson
>>
>>
>> ________________________________________________________________
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>
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