[AAACE-NLA] Help Needed-Constructs for the Message [faked-fro m]

[AWilder106@aol.com]

Colleagues,

Yesterday I switched to what might be a legislative voice, taking up another role.  It became clear to me that while for advocates the issue is money, for a legislator it might not be--or if money weren't a consideration, how would an advocate talk to a legislator so a legislator would be willing to increase spending.  So I took money off the table.  

I was left with program effectiveness--which adult literacy programs "succeed," how success is measured, how literacy is defined.  

Advocates should put themselves in the shoes of legislators and find out how they think, so we can answer their questions, point to our successes, and prioritize our needs.  

I suggest that this role play could be done on this list, if someone is willing to take on the role of legislator.  Role play can be a very effective teaching and learning device.  Whoever  plays the role should I think be well-grounded in the specifics of previous legislation.

This idea came to me because of Debbie's  questions about how to present arguments to business people for funding for adult literacy.  I thought: suppose we all switched roles?  Role switching gives insight into other people's thinking, like when students switch roles and become teachers.

Andrea