[Abesoutheast] FW: Adult Ed on ABC News Monday 2-25

[Espindola, Annemarie]

FYI

Annemarie
 
Annemarie Espindola, Director
SABES Southeast 
Bristol Community College
777 Elsbree Street
Fall River, MA 02720
(508) 678-2811 ext. 2782
For more information on the System for Adult Basic Education Support
(SABES) please go to: www.sabes.org/southeast

For information on upcoming SABES offerings or to register for events
please go to: calendar.sabes.org/southeast

"SABES: Training Leaders in Adult Basic Education"



-----Original Message-----
From: ACL-SABES-owner at LIST1.DOE.MASS.EDU
[mailto:ACL-SABES-owner at LIST1.DOE.MASS.EDU] On Behalf Of Bickerton,
Robert P (DOE)
Sent: Monday, February 25, 2008 9:24 AM
To: ACL-Program-Directors (DOE); ACL-SABES (DOE); ACL Local Workforce
Investment Board (DOE); ACL Career Center Directors (DOE); ACL Teacher /
All Staff (DOE)
Subject: FW: Adult Ed on ABC News Monday 2-25

for your reading (and viewing) pleasure -- a series on adult literacy
begins on ABC this evening

bob bickerton
sr associate commissioner of education
------------------------------------------
ABC's "WORLD NEWS WITH CHARLES GIBSON" TO REPORT A SPECIAL SERIES -
"LIVING IN THE SHADOWS: ILLITERACY IN AMERICA" 

BEGINNING FEBRUARY 25th

Beginning Monday, February 25, ABC's "World News with Charles Gibson"
will feature a special series, "Living in the Shadows: Illiteracy in
America" that examines the hidden phenomenon of illiteracy in this
country. An estimated 30 million people in the U.S. cannot read a simple
sentence, and as Senior Justice Department Correspondent Pierre Thomas
reports, undiagnosed learning disorders, poverty, and unstable homes are
among the factors contributing to this nation-wide crisis. The problem
persists, in large part, because many actively try to conceal it or
avoid seeking help.

45 year-old Monica Baxley of Chipley, Florida was one of those people,
hiding the fact that she was functionally illiterate from family,
friends, even her husband for thirty years. She was unable to read
newspapers, road signs, or fill out job applications - a painful
existence with constant reminders of her limitation. She finally decided
to seek help after becoming frustrated that she couldn't help her
daughter with homework. After several years of intensive instruction
with a local literacy group, she went on to earn her GED. She now spends
her time tutoring and inspiring others who are illiterate.

In part two of the series, Thomas travels to Grand Rapids, Michigan,
where one out of every five residents there has difficulty reading or
cannot read at all. The city has pledged to cut the illiteracy rate in
half in the next ten years - launching a city-wide campaign to increase
awareness of the issue and enlisting hundreds of tutors and volunteers.
Are their initiatives making a difference? For those who have overcome
illiteracy, the ability to read has opened new doors and expanded their
opportunities.


"Living in the Shadows: Illiteracy in America" will air on "World News
with Charles Gibson" beginning Monday, February 25. Thomas' reporting
will also be featured on the "World News" webcast, available on
ABCNEWS.com, ABC News
Now, Apple's iTunes, and mobile phones.

Jon Banner is the executive producer of "World News with Charles
Gibson."
ABC News Media Relations:
Natalie Raabe (212) 456-2418