[AAACE-NLA] Community surveys raise awareness about community issues, including literacy

[David J. Rosen]

Colleagues,

One way to raise the priority of adult literacy in the U.S. could be  
by making it a priority of the next Administration, and of policy  
makers in Congress. Another way is at the state level.  A third way,  
which has not received much attention on this discussion list, is at  
the community level. In Tucson Arizona, in a recent Community Voices  
Survey, residents said they value literacy -- both children's and  
adult literacy, but especially children's literacy -- that they would  
be willing to have their taxes raised to pay for it.

"An overwhelming 83 percent of the 429 respondents believe raising  
literacy levels is critical to Arizona’s success – a finding that  
shows their belief that a quality education plays a crucial role in  
individuals’ quality of life as well as the region’s economic  
development."

"But nearly half the respondents “completely disagree” that the state  
of Arizona has sufficiently invested in educating children. Many  
respondents further believe Arizona does not have the necessary level  
of literacy needed to build a sustainable and competitive workforce.  
As they level this criticism at the state, the respondents don’t let  
their own community off the hook: Many believe that the Tucson region  
has failed to demonstrate that literacy is a priority" and, "half the  
respondents completely agree with the statement that literacy for  
all, regardless of immigration status, should be a priority."

http://www.prleap.com/pr/103565/

Perhaps we have subscribers on this discussion list from the Tucson  
area who could tell us more about this survey, how it came to be,  
what the results might mean for adult basic skills and ESOL programs  
in the area.

I wonder if community literacy groups in other parts of the country  
have used community voices surveys like this in their communities,  
and if so, what the effects have been on adult literacy education  
support at the community level.

David J. Rosen
djrosen at comcast.net