[AAACE-NLA] "Science" eliminates adult literacy program

[Thomas Sticht]

February 6, 2004

"Scientific Evaluation" Eliminates National Family Literacy Program

Tom Sticht
International Consultant in Adult Education

The President’s Fiscal Year 2005 budget proposal eliminates several
programs that adult literacy educators have found beneficial for adult
learners over the years the programs have been in effect. A list of all
programs eliminated from the FY 2005 budget can be found online at:

http://www.ed.gov/about/overview/budget/budget05/summary/edlite-section3.html

Following are some programs that I was particularly disappointed to find
eliminated.  One, Even Start, is apparently the first federal program in
adult literacy education to fall victim to the new emphasis upon
"scientific, evidence-based research" that the Bush administration is
emphasizing. Following the name and amount of funding for each program in
FY04 are the government's stated reasons for elimiating the program.

Community Technology Centers - $9.9 million

Supports centers that offer disadvantaged residents of economically
distressed areas access to computers and training. Program has limited
impact and funding for similar activities is available through other
Federal agencies.

Even Start - $246.9 million

This program aims to improve educational opportunities for children and
their parents in low-income areas by integrating early childhood
education, adult education, and parenting education into "family literacy"
programs. However, three separate national evaluations of the program
reached the same conclusion: children and adults participating in Even
Start generally made gains in literacy skills, but these gains were not
significantly greater than those of non-participants. For this reason,
Even Start funds will be redirected to provide increases for
higher-priority programs, including the
research-based Reading First and Early Reading First programs, which are
better suited to address the President's literacy goals.

Literacy Programs for Prisoners - $5.0

Competitive grants to State and local correctional agencies and
correctional education agencies support programs that reduce recidivism
through the improvement of "life skills." Request is consistent with the
Administration's effort to eliminate small programs that have only
indirect or limited effect.

State Grants for Incarcerated Youth Offenders - $19.9 million

Formula grants to State correctional agencies assist and encourage
incarcerated youth to acquire functional literacy skills and life and job
skills. Request is consistent with the Administration's effort to
eliminate small programs that have only indirect or limited effect on
improving student outcomes.

These eliminated programs, coupled with the fact that the President’s
first four federal budgets have never requested more funds for adult
education State Grants than were available the year before,  offer
additional evidence that the present administration does not hold adult
literacy education in high regard. This suggests that only a change in
administrations offers the promise of better serving the needs of
America’s undereducated and underserved adults and their families. This
offers a solid, concrete goal for adult literacy education advocates this
election year.

Thomas G.  Sticht
International Consultant in Adult Education
2062 Valley View Blvd.
El Cajon, CA 92019-2059
Tel/fax: (619) 444-9133
Email: tsticht at aznet.net