[AAACE-NLA] Debbie Yoho comments in AAACE-NLA Digest, Vol 87, Issue 25

Thu Aug 19 09:38:50 EDT 2010

And for those learners for whom WIA and NRS appear to be intended - they
are no longer considered self-determining adults. They WILL have the
govt. prescribed learning goals and outcomes regardless of how those
goals/outcomes fit the life situation of the individual at that
particular moment.

How much further from the foundations of adult education (and a system
that did pretty amazing things despite NEVER being funded) will we be
forced to tread? 

It seems to me that having never secured the respect and funding needed
with the old paradigm, we are now going to toss aside most of the old
system and implement a New Paradigm with the hope and dream that with a
new name and design it MIGHT be a little better funded. 

Jim Schneider
Davenport, IA

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Today's Topics:

   1.  Shall we resort to litigation? (Debbie Yoho)
   2. Re:  Shall we resort to litigation? (Michael Gyori)
   3. Re:  Shall we resort to litigation? (McGilloway, Susan S.)

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Message: 1
Date: Tue, 17 Aug 2010 15:47:50 -0400
From: Debbie Yoho <dwyoho at gmail.com>
To: aaace-nla <aaace-nla at lists.literacytent.org>, 	PROLITERACY LIST
	<proliteracyconnect at proliteracylist.org>
Subject: [AAACE-NLA] Shall we resort to litigation?
Message-ID:
	<AANLkTikq172Kr-uBLaVJVZpGUC3PRf00S=30PmwmAHt- at mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

It does not appear to me that there are any changes in the wind
regarding
the NRS that will help programs serving the hardest-to-serve or
lowest-level
learners.  In fact, it appears that the changes under discussion will
actually make the process more cumbersome, adding specific requirements
regarding learner goals. It appears the goal of improving academics
would no
longer be considered valid unless tied to an employment goal.

In tracking some of the activity related to WIA reauthorization, I see a
similar drive to refine adult education and literacy programs into a
feeder
system for employment.  I have no problem with this provided that
educational services are available for adults who are not and will not
be in
the workforce.  I am speaking of older adults who have retired, who may
even
be in a nursing home, adults who are on disability, perhaps recovering
from
mental illness or addiction and not ready to work;  adults who have
prohibitive medical problems such as cancer, adults who are at home
full-time with young children, adults who are chronically homeless or
incarcerated for the long-term, adults whose beginning skill level
combined
with learning disabilities means it will be years before they can fill
out a
job application, etc.

I am afraid many are getting tired of this litany begging to maintain
programs that sensitively and effectively serve adults who do not
contribute
to the tax base through employment. The world has turned, and I find
that it
all falls more and more on deaf ears.  I knew in 1998, when the WIA
highjacked adult education and combined an academic mission with job
training, that a day would come when a sizeable segment of the adult
population would be left behind in the dust with no one to care whether
they
have a good quality of life or not. All this time I have continued to
remind
anyone who will listen that workforce development is critical, but so
are
opportunities for ALL adults. The WIA and the NRS are NOT designed to
serve
ALL adults, but only to serve the economy.

Where is the conscience, and the voice, of educators, policy-makers,
researchers and academics who continue to ride the wave of globalization
to
contribute to the nation's adjustment to changing times, but also strive
for
simple principles such as justice and equity? I hear that voice here
from
time to time, but it is absent from OVAE newsletters, WIA
reauthorization
proposals, NRS revision discussions, efforts to form "career pathways",
meetings of state directors, and media news and analysis.
So now I seriously ask:  Is the only avenue left for these adults
litigation? It seems to me if current trends continue, someone somewhere
may
be able to make a case for discrimination.  If public funds are to be
spent
on education for any particular category of adults (such as
job-seekers), funds should be available for any adult who wants to
learn. As
a former special education teacher, I know parents had to resort to the
courts to obtain services for special-needs kids.  It appears to me the
handwriting is on the wall again.  According to Dreams from My Father,
the
president reached the conclusion that real change sometimes comes about
only
when the courts force it, so he enrolled in law school.

Debbie Yoho
Executive Director
Turning Pages Adult Literacy
www.literacycolumbia.org
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Message: 2
Date: Wed, 18 Aug 2010 13:59:08 -0700 (PDT)
From: Michael Gyori <michael_gyori at yahoo.com>
To: National Literacy Advocacy List sponsored by AAACE
	<aaace-nla at lists.literacytent.org>
Subject: Re: [AAACE-NLA] Shall we resort to litigation?
Message-ID: <14688.40596.qm at web112612.mail.gq1.yahoo.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

Debbie,

Your words have truly touched my heart. Unfortunately, public education
is 
totally in the full grip of a corporate paradigm as you?have so
emotionally 
stated. I can no longer listen to the tweaks that are made every year
that 
ensure?the safety of some bureaucrats' jobs.??As much as I appreciate
the time a 
few ?take to apprise us of what is?goes on, it's all about rubbing even
more 
salt on a big wound, Art's rendering of affairs in NH notwithstanding.

So...being sad?won't solve anything until action is taken.? We might
begin by 
conceptualizing a case?among ourselves against what is going?on at the
USDOE.? I 
really did believe that matters would improve under Obama - so maybe we
should 
think about sending him a petition?signed by thousand upon thousands of
people 
in our communities.

Michael
?
Michael A. Gyori
Maui International Language School
www.mauilanguage.com
?
?

________________________________
From: Debbie Yoho <dwyoho at gmail.com>
To: aaace-nla <aaace-nla at lists.literacytent.org>; PROLITERACY LIST 
<proliteracyconnect at proliteracylist.org>
Sent: Tue, August 17, 2010 9:47:50 AM
Subject: [AAACE-NLA] Shall we resort to litigation?

It does not appear to me that there are any changes in the wind
regarding the 
NRS that will help programs serving the hardest-to-serve or lowest-level

learners.? In fact, it appears that the changes under discussion will
actually 
make the process more cumbersome, adding specific requirements regarding
learner 
goals. It appears the goal of improving academics?would no longer be
considered 
valid unless tied to an employment goal.? 

In tracking some of the activity related to WIA reauthorization, I see a
similar 
drive to refine adult education and literacy programs into a feeder
system for 
employment.? I have no problem with this provided that educational
services are 
available for adults who are not and will not be in the workforce.? I am

speaking of older adults who have retired, who may even be in a nursing
home, 
adults who are on disability, perhaps recovering from mental illness or 
addiction and not ready to work; ?adults who have prohibitive medical
problems 
such as cancer, adults who are at home full-time with young children,
adults who 
are chronically homeless or incarcerated for the long-term, adults whose

beginning skill level combined with learning disabilities means it will
be years 
before they can fill out a job application, etc.

I am afraid many are getting tired of this litany begging to maintain
programs 
that sensitively and effectively serve adults who do not contribute to
the tax 
base through employment.?The world has turned, and I find that it all
falls more 
and more on deaf ears.? I knew in 1998, when the WIA highjacked adult 
education?and?combined an?academic mission with job training, that a day
would 
come when a sizeable segment of the adult population would be left
behind in the 
dust with no one to care?whether they have a good quality of life or
not.?All 
this time I have continued to remind anyone who will listen
that?workforce 
development is critical, but so are opportunities for ALL adults. The
WIA and 
the NRS are?NOT designed to serve ALL adults, but only to serve the
economy.??

Where is the conscience, and the voice, of educators, policy-makers,
researchers 
and academics who continue to ride the wave of globalization to
contribute to 
the nation's adjustment to changing times, but also strive?for simple
principles 
such as justice and equity??I hear that voice here from time to time,
but it is 
absent from OVAE newsletters, WIA reauthorization proposals, NRS
revision 
discussions, efforts to form "career pathways", meetings of state
directors, and 
media news and analysis. 

So now I seriously ask:??Is the only avenue left for these adults
litigation??It 
seems to me if?current trends?continue, someone somewhere may be able to
make a 
case for discrimination.? If public funds are to be spent on education
for?any 
particular category of adults (such as job-seekers),?funds should be
available 
for any adult who wants to learn.?As a former special education teacher,
I know 
parents had to resort to the courts to obtain services for special-needs
kids.? 
It appears to me the handwriting is on the wall again.? According to
Dreams from 
My Father, the president reached the conclusion that real change
sometimes comes 
about only when the courts force it, so he enrolled in law school.

?
Debbie Yoho
Executive Director
Turning Pages Adult Literacy
www.literacycolumbia.org

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Message: 3
Date: Thu, 19 Aug 2010 06:06:22 -0400
From: "McGilloway, Susan S." <smcgilloway at ccbcmd.edu>
To: "National Literacy Advocacy List sponsored by AAACE"
	<aaace-nla at lists.literacytent.org>
Subject: Re: [AAACE-NLA] Shall we resort to litigation?
Message-ID:
	<C49564A67D84E24998DF3CF483547EAE0393107A at ewe.ccbc.ccbcmd.edu>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

Michael,

That is just what Margaret Doughty did. Here is her message regarding
the scroll that will be presented at the White House, DoE, and the
Capitol.

Margaret Doughty <http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=597711818>
August 18 at 11:55pm Reply
<https://mail.ccbcmd.edu/ajax/messaging/composer.php?thread=424265178709
&msg_id=0&id=597711818> 
Thanks to all for your help this year. The trip to the White House is
confirmed for September 22nd. We want to engage everyone in the day
either in DC or in support letters and activities. YEAH!!!! Your voices
will be heard. I will send out a message with all the details later in
the week. If you have ideas for the day please let us know - so far we
will rally at the White House and hand in the scroll but before we do we
plan on visiting the Department of Education and also unrolling the
scroll down the steps of the Capiltol prior to meeting with
congressional leaders. We will work hard to make it a day to remember!! 

Susan McGilloway 
SSS Specialist/VIP Coordinator 
Center for Adult and Family Literacy 
Community College of Baltimore County 
smcgilloway at ccbcmd.edu <mailto:smcgilloway at ccbcmd.edu>  
443-840-3933 

________________________________

From: aaace-nla-bounces at lists.literacytent.org on behalf of Michael
Gyori
Sent: Wed 8/18/2010 4:59 PM
To: National Literacy Advocacy List sponsored by AAACE
Subject: Re: [AAACE-NLA] Shall we resort to litigation?

Debbie,

Your words have truly touched my heart. Unfortunately, public education
is totally in the full grip of a corporate paradigm as you have so
emotionally stated. I can no longer listen to the tweaks that are made
every year that ensure the safety of some bureaucrats' jobs.  As much as
I appreciate the time a few  take to apprise us of what is goes on, it's
all about rubbing even more salt on a big wound, Art's rendering of
affairs in NH notwithstanding.

So...being sad won't solve anything until action is taken.  We might
begin by conceptualizing a case among ourselves against what is going on
at the USDOE.  I really did believe that matters would improve under
Obama - so maybe we should think about sending him a petition signed by
thousand upon thousands of people in our communities.

Michael

Michael A. Gyori

Maui International Language School

www.mauilanguage.com <http://www.mauilanguage.com/> 

________________________________

From: Debbie Yoho <dwyoho at gmail.com>
To: aaace-nla <aaace-nla at lists.literacytent.org>; PROLITERACY LIST
<proliteracyconnect at proliteracylist.org>
Sent: Tue, August 17, 2010 9:47:50 AM
Subject: [AAACE-NLA] Shall we resort to litigation?

It does not appear to me that there are any changes in the wind
regarding the NRS that will help programs serving the hardest-to-serve
or lowest-level learners.  In fact, it appears that the changes under
discussion will actually make the process more cumbersome, adding
specific requirements regarding learner goals. It appears the goal of
improving academics would no longer be considered valid unless tied to
an employment goal.  

In tracking some of the activity related to WIA reauthorization, I see a
similar drive to refine adult education and literacy programs into a
feeder system for employment.  I have no problem with this provided that
educational services are available for adults who are not and will not
be in the workforce.  I am speaking of older adults who have retired,
who may even be in a nursing home, adults who are on disability, perhaps
recovering from mental illness or addiction and not ready to work;
adults who have prohibitive medical problems such as cancer, adults who
are at home full-time with young children, adults who are chronically
homeless or incarcerated for the long-term, adults whose beginning skill
level combined with learning disabilities means it will be years before
they can fill out a job application, etc.

I am afraid many are getting tired of this litany begging to maintain
programs that sensitively and effectively serve adults who do not
contribute to the tax base through employment. The world has turned, and
I find that it all falls more and more on deaf ears.  I knew in 1998,
when the WIA highjacked adult education and combined an academic mission
with job training, that a day would come when a sizeable segment of the
adult population would be left behind in the dust with no one to care
whether they have a good quality of life or not. All this time I have
continued to remind anyone who will listen that workforce development is
critical, but so are opportunities for ALL adults. The WIA and the NRS
are NOT designed to serve ALL adults, but only to serve the economy.  

Where is the conscience, and the voice, of educators, policy-makers,
researchers and academics who continue to ride the wave of globalization
to contribute to the nation's adjustment to changing times, but also
strive for simple principles such as justice and equity? I hear that
voice here from time to time, but it is absent from OVAE newsletters,
WIA reauthorization proposals, NRS revision discussions, efforts to form
"career pathways", meetings of state directors, and media news and
analysis. 

So now I seriously ask:  Is the only avenue left for these adults
litigation? It seems to me if current trends continue, someone somewhere
may be able to make a case for discrimination.  If public funds are to
be spent on education for any particular category of adults (such as
job-seekers), funds should be available for any adult who wants to
learn. As a former special education teacher, I know parents had to
resort to the courts to obtain services for special-needs kids.  It
appears to me the handwriting is on the wall again.  According to Dreams
from My Father, the president reached the conclusion that real change
sometimes comes about only when the courts force it, so he enrolled in
law school.

Debbie Yoho
Executive Director
Turning Pages Adult Literacy
www.literacycolumbia.org <http://www.literacycolumbia.org/> 

________________________________

NOTE: This message was trained as non-spam. If this is wrong, please
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Spam
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Not spam
<https://ssl.ccbcmd.edu:7726/canit/b.php?i=01CU6lAVD&m=13fb3439fc1f&t=20
100819&c=n> 
Forget previous vote
<https://ssl.ccbcmd.edu:7726/canit/b.php?i=01CU6lAVD&m=13fb3439fc1f&t=20
100819&c=f> 

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