NLA Crosspost: THURSDAY NOTES on Adult Education, 3/4/99

[David J Rosen]

NLA Colleagues,

Nearly every Thursday on the library-lit electronic list is a message
called THURSDAY NOTES.  It is created by colleagues at the Office of
Vocational and Adult Education, U.S. Department of Education.  I find it
very informative. Today's has a section on workplace education, a
section on approved state plans, and other notes which I think you may
find of interest.

David J. Rosen
NLA List Moderator


---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Wed, 03 Mar 1999 17:06:34 -0600
From: Satia Orange <sorange at ala.org>
Reply-To: library-lit at ala.org
To: Adult Literacy Library Initiatives <library-lit at ala.org>
Subject: Re: THURSDAY NOTES on Adult Education, 3/4/99



>>> Rose Tilghman <Rose_Tilghman at ed.gov> 03/03 3:52 PM >>>
     **************
     Thursday Notes
     ********************************************************* 
     A Weekly Fact Sheet on Adult Education Issues 
     **********************************************
     
     From the Desk of Ronald S. Pugsley 
     Director, Division of Adult Education and Literacy 
     Office of Vocational and Adult Education
     U.S. Department of Education
     
     ********************
     Editor: Sarah Newcomb
     Production: Rose Tilghman
     **************************
     
     March 4, 1999
     
     
     Employers Say
     Skills Gap
     Growing
     
     National Association of Manufacturers' (NAM's) updated employer survey 
     reveals that while most employers receive more than five applications for 
     each position, one in four companies rejects over 75% of applicants as 
     unqualified. One third of responding employers report rejecting applicants 
     because their reading or writing skills are too low. Nearly one quarter of 
     employers rejected applicants because of poor communication or math 
     skills. Most respondents said their current workers also had serious 
     deficiencies in positive work attitudes as well as poor math, written 
     language and comprehension skills. One in five companies had postponed or 
     deficient. The full report is for sale from NAM at 202/637-3011 or 
     www.nam.org/NAMNet/ResultsPub 
     
     States Take
     Plans to Boards
     
     The Arizona Five Year State Plan for Adult Education was unanimously 
     approved (with commendation) by the Arizona State Board of Education
     at its February 22 meeting. The plan has gone to the Governor for her
     comments. See it at www.ade.state.az.us  The final hard copy, including
     graphic timeline, Governor's comments and new Adult Education Standards
     is expected in April. Contact Karen Liersch at 
     kliersc at mail1.ade.state.az.us

     
     The Alaska State Transition Plan was presented to the State
     Board of Education today, February 25, for comments. It was well
     received. Contact Marsha Partlow at mpartlow at educ.state.ak.us 
     
     $10M Goes for 
     State Family
     Literacy Grants
     
     Be sure to get your application package for the Even Start Statewide
     Family Literacy Initiative grants from the February 24 Federal
     Register. Grants to go to States to help improve educational 
     opportunities of low-income families by integrating early childhood 
     education, adult literacy or adult basic education, and parenting 
     education into a unified family literacy program. States must conduct 
     funded activities through a consortium that includes State-level programs 
     under the Adult Education and Family Literacy Act. Eligible applicants 
     include one State office or agency. States have two opportunities to 
     submit applications. Transmittal deadline for the first stage of 
     applications is April 26, 1999. For the second stage it's August 20, 1999.
     See www.ed.gov/legislation/FedRegister/announcements/index.html 
     
     Shop Talk March 11
     
     Get ready for "Shop Talk" on March 11.  Use a "hands free" phone and put 
     those finishing touches on your state plan while you listen... 
     
     ___________________________________________ 
     
     OVAE Homepage http://www.ed.gov/offices/OVAE/ 
     _____________________________________________
     
     
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