[AAACE-NLA] Presidential Candidate Responses: George W.Bush
Needle, Mark
Mneedle at dadeschools.net
Mon Oct 18 15:43:10 EDT 2004
Our experience is that a hybrid approach, combining online training and
in-person instruction, can be effective for adults with at least a 3rd-grade
reading level.
In Miami-Dade (FL), we used a US DOE grant for community technology to set
up online ABE/GED labs in 5 one-stop centers (one of which is for
out-of-school youth). The target audience is welfare recipients and
job-seekers who go to the one-stops to meet with their case managers.
We use computer banks at the one-stops to deliver commercial online courses
(SkillsTutor for ABE, Plato for GED) from our online department. To make it
accessible, we have adult education instructors who provide orientations,
deliver introductory computer literacy skills (integrated into a Workforce
Readiness Skills curriculum), and serve as the "guide on the side" for ABE
and GED students. A single teacher can therefore work with students who may
be at a variety of skill levels, helping them stay motivated as they work on
individualized skills.
The results to date are promising. We have evaluation information for
anyone interested in more detail, but for us the bottom line is that the
program merited continuation after the grant ended (last December). We have
been able to sustain funding for instructors based on student completions of
Workforce Readiness Skills competencies and test gains. Indeed, while the
program is only in its second year, we are getting more grade-level
advancements and GED's from this intensive hybrid approach than from a much
larger pool of advanced, self-motivated students.
So online literacy is not an answer in itself, but it may be a realistic
tool in our arsenal -- not just for brush-up skills but for settings where
students are at different levels (over 3rd grade), or where gaining new
technology skills is part of the motivation for learning.
Mark Needle
Educational Specialist
Miami-Dade County Public Schools
mneedle at dadeschools.net
305-548-4044
-----Original Message-----
From: Art LaChance
To: National Literacy Advocacy List sponsored by AAACE
Sent: 10/15/2004 8:27 AM
Subject: Re: [AAACE-NLA] Presidential Candidate Responses: George W.Bush
[faked-from]
Exactly. Our initial response here is centered on the points identified
by Charlene. To participate in this a student must already have the
reading comprehension skills required by the GED, more or less. Plus
the motivation factor, plus the availability of computer and internet
access speed to handle it effectively. So at best it would be a cleanup
of skills in math and language. Small audience compared to the actual
'need' factor.
art
----- Original Message -----
From: Brown, Charlene <mailto:cbrown5 at jefferson.k12.ky.us>
To: National Literacy Advocacy List
<mailto:aaace-nla at lists.literacytent.org> sponsored by AAACE
Sent: Thursday, October 14, 2004 10:25 AM
Subject: RE: [AAACE-NLA] Presidential Candidate Responses: George W.Bush
[faked-from]
Literacy? What our program is finding is that students reading 4th
grade or below, need the one on one help only a live teacher can
provide. The properly trained teacher can identify the spots with which
the learner is having trouble. Some of these are very minute and
require a trained observer who knows the student. Some of them are
intuitive. Distance learning is a valuable tool, but it is not the
panacea governments are looking to find in order to save money. What
distance learning takes for granted is that the students are all highly
motivated, have computer skills sufficient enough to trouble shoot
network problems, and do not need the encouragement and support that a
teacher/mentor can provide.
I just wish it were that simple!
-----Original Message-----
From: Sheri Rogers [ mailto:rogerss at apsd.k12.ar.us
<mailto:rogerss at apsd.k12.ar.us> ]
Sent: Wednesday, October 13, 2004 1:12 PM
To: aaace-nla at lists.literacytent.org
Subject: Re: [AAACE-NLA] Presidential Candidate Responses: George W.Bush
[faked-from]
Does anyone know what the following quote from President Bush's response
means? It appeared in two places in his narratives...Is it something in
the works now?
"will develop a comprehensive web-based literacy tool for adults, which
would be made available in public libraries, community colleges, and at
social service offices, including Head Start Centers and One-Stop job
centers. This literacy tool will increase adult literacy across the
United States."
Sheri Rogers
>>> jataylor_1 at yahoo.com 10/13/04 6:38 AM >>>
AAACE-NLA Colleagues,
We have received responses to the Literacy President campaign questions
from U.S. Presidential candidate, George W. Bush. You will find the
questions we asked and his responses below. These will also be posted on
the Literacy President Web site at http://litpresident.org/
<http://litpresident.org/>
On behalf of the Literacy President Group,
Jackie Taylor
David J. Rosen
David Collings
1. Access to Quality Programs
What should be the commitment of the federal government, if any, to
ensure that all adults in the United States have guaranteed access to
quality adult education and literacy programs to improve their academic
skills, regardless of income, location, age, and national origin?
I believe that we must do more to assist adults in becoming literate and
obtaining the skills needed for employment and self-sufficiency. My
Administration has supported a comprehensive agenda to accomplish this
goal. These programs are part of an overall system of adult and worker
training that ensures America has the best trained workforce in the
world. The Adult Education State Grant program is an important program
in this effort, as demonstrated by the $34 million increase in funding
since 2001.
2. Full Funding
What will you do to ensure full funding for adult education and literacy
programs?
I am committed to providing increased support for our education and job
training programs. My 2005 budget includes $590 million for Adult Basic
and Literacy Education, including State formula grants, National
Leadership Activities, and the National Institute for Literacy.
My budget requests $6.7 million for the National Institute for Literacy,
with the expectation that new authorization legislation would continue
support for its communication and capacity-building activities. In
addition, the budget provides $9.2 million to continue high-priority
research, demonstration, and evaluation initiatives funded under
National Leadership Activities.
3. Training/re-training for the New Economy
Many U.S. workers function at low literacy levels. Some of these voters
watch their jobs being "outsourced" to foreign countries, but are not
being given adequate access to the training and education that will
allow them to function in the new "global, knowledge-based economy."
How would your administration re-focus priorities to address the
disappearance of the American dream for the 90 million US citizens
functioning at the two lowest literacy levels who cannot compete without
additional education?
My budget provides a record $23 billion for job training and employment
assistance * a 12 percent increase over 2001 levels. I have proposed
reforming our job training programs to double the number of workers
trained under them by giving governors the flexibility they need to meet
their workforce and adult education needs. I will consolidate the
Workforce Investment Act's four major training programs into a single,
flexible grant to states. By limiting the overhead expenses, we can
ensure more funds are spent training workers rather than growing a
bureaucracy. I will also encourage the use of Innovation Training
Accounts which give workers more control over how and where their
training dollars are spent, including the flexibility to use the funds
for adult education classes. In addition, my Jobs for the 21st Century
initiative includes $250 million to help community colleges train
workers in high-growth fields.
Finally, I am proposing a $50 million Personal Reemployment Account
pilot program. These accounts provide workers with additional
flexibility in selecting the services needed to help them return to
work. Eligible unemployed workers can receive $3,000 to be used for
whatever training and services they believe will help them get back to
work, such as child care, adult education classes, or transportation.
As an incentive, recipients can keep the balance of the account as a
cash bonus if they find a job within 13 weeks.
4. Intergenerational Literacy
Children need education. Those who do not get education now will become
adults who need literacy skills. If you teach adults, they will help
their kids. What are you willing to do to improve adult literacy
programs?
We must increase the focus of adult literacy programs on strengthening
skills in basic reading, math, and English acquisition for adults who
have weak literacy skills or want to earn their high school diploma or a
GED. As a result, I have proposed a blueprint for key areas of change
in current legislation including:
Requiring States to establish more effective and accountable programs
that set challenging expectations for students, use meaningful
assessments, and align instruction to meet those expectations;
Improving the performance accountability system;
Enhancing the emphasis on research to build a stronger foundation of
knowledge for improving adult education; and
Strengthening partnerships with the One-Stop delivery system under
Title I of Workforce Investment Act.
I will also continue to promote literacy programs through Head Start,
Early Reading First, and Title I. I will develop a comprehensive
web-based literacy tool for adults, which would be made available in
public libraries, community colleges, and at social service offices,
including Head Start Centers and One-Stop job centers. This literacy
tool will increase adult literacy across the United States.
This summer we began a program to train Head Start parents. The Head
Start Parent-Mentor Training Program is helping parents enhance their
children's language and literacy skills and helping them learn how to
mentor other parents to do the same with their children. This stresses
the importance of supporting parents and families in rearing their
children and reflects the Administration's commitment to helping parents
enhance their children's growth and development. Over 1,200 parents
participated in the training, which they considered helpful and were
excited to share with other parents. Head Start's goal is to train
3,000 volunteer parents, who will in turn train thousands more.
Training for Hispanic/Latino parents was conducted in Spanish, and
Spanish-speaking parents reported that they learned a lot and were
honored to have received their instruction in Spanish.
5. National Adult Literacy Initiative to Address Issues of the Working
Poor
Since it is the goal of this nation to create "new" jobs, employ the
"working poor" in "better" jobs as an ongoing goal of the Personal
Responsibility and Work Opportunities Reconciliation Act of 1996
(Welfare Reform) and to help colleges and universities manage their
growing adult student population seeking new skills, what steps would
you propose as a national adult literacy initiative to help address
these issues?
Welfare reform has been an unquestioned success. Millions of Americans
have moved from welfare to work. In fact, welfare rolls are at their
lowest levels in 34 years. Now Congress must reauthorize compassionate
welfare reform, so that even more men and women can know the pride of
independence, self-reliance, and strengthened families. Education and
job-skills training are vital tools to help people get back on their
feet. That is why I have proposed significant reforms to the major
Federal worker training programs to double the number of workers
receiving job training, ensure those programs work better for America's
workers, and close the skills gap so every high-growth job is filled
with a well-trained American worker. Welfare assistance must be a step
up to a better life, not a way of life in itself. By encouraging work,
we will help more Americans provide for themselves and their families
and give them an opportunity to succeed in every facet of their lives.
I look forward
to strengthening our successful welfare reform law and enhancing our
job skills and training programs consistent with these principles.
In addition, the National Council of State Directors of Adult Education
adds the following two questions. We would be pleased to publish your
answers to these, as well.
6. Health Literacy
What should be the commitment of the federal government, if any, to
ensure that all adults in the United States have the capacity to obtain,
process, and understand basic health information and services needed to
make appropriate health care decisions?
Limited health literacy is a serious problem involving poor reading
skills and difficulty with numbers, which can translate into difficulty
understanding dosages, taking prescriptions, reading food labels, and
filling out informed consent forms. I am committed to preparing all
children to read and succeed and giving adults the basic education
necessary for every aspect of society, including the workplace and the
doctor's office. Achieving health literacy also includes doctors and
health care providers presenting information in a simple, user-friendly
way. Last year, the Federal Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality,
the American Medical Association, and the American Hospital Association
launched a campaign to help educate physicians and patients about the
importance of effective communication. My initiative on health
information technology will also help by automating many bureaucratic
and administrative tasks in doctors' offices so that doctors have more
time to spend with
patients and ensure that patients understand the complex health issues
facing them.
7. English for Speakers of Other Languages
What should be the commitment of the federal government, if any, to
ensure that immigrants have opportunities to learn the English language
and civic participation roles so they are able to realize the
opportunities and fulfill the responsibilities of living in this
country?
The Institute for Education Science, in the Department of Education, is
conducting research on the most effective instructional techniques for
children and adults learning English as a second language. I will also
develop a comprehensive web-based literacy tool for adults, which would
be made available in public libraries, community colleges, and at social
service offices, including Head Start Centers and One-Stop job centers.
This literacy tool will increase adult literacy across the United
States.
_______________________________________________
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