NLA Discussion: connection to policy

[Andres Muro]

There is a connection to policy. Currently, literacy and ABE funding, 
requires that educators show student improvement in relationship to test
scores.  Educators do their best to show improvements in test scores of
participants, GED completion, etc, etc, by focusing their instruction in
preparing students to take standardized tests. However, some argue that
education should relate to an improvement in quality of life. For example,
EFF proponents argue that education should be tied to full participation in
family, workplace, education and community.  There are types of language
activities that  students can engage in,  that  relate to an improvement in
quality of life. These may be different from the activities that students engage
in, to show improvements in test scores. Language activities that relate to our
lives should be done in the community with the community. Language
activities that relate to test scores can be done in a classroom environment.
Of course there may be a relationship between test scores and community
life. 

Many people have been educated in  traditional environments so they may
not have knowledge about involving the community with the classroom.
Volunteers and part time teachers with little time may not be the ideal
resources to integrate the community into the class. 

Andres  

>>> David J Rosen <DJRosen at world.std.com> 03/30/99 12:18pm >>>
NLA Colleagues,

As moderator of the NLA list, I would like to remind subscribers of the
list's focus: adult literacy public policy.  Homelessness, economic class
structure, undiagnosed learning disabilities, and other important topics
all have a place for discussion here -- if there is a connection to
policy or advocacy. Is current policy weak in one or more of these
areas? At the national level? State level?  How should we try to change
it?  Do other countries do a better job with some aspects of literacy
policy?  Should we emulate them?  If so, what should we adopt?  How?

How is your state doing with Meet and Greet Your Legislators activities?
If we are to succeed with the agenda which the National Coalition for
Literacy has agreed on, then we need to reach every legislator, have
all the legislators familiar with the programs in their districts.  How
are you doing on this?  Post your progress here -- your success and
frustrations.

I want to remind everyone that the main purpose of the NLA list
is to build a community of literacy advocates.  This e-list is different
from others which you may subscribe to.  It provides information, yes, but
for a purpose -- to enable you to USE that information to develop a
committed coalition of adult practitioner and learner advocates. Ultimately, 
through effective advocacy, we may develop the policy, enable the
resources, create the standards and practices that build an adult literacy
field taht we all can be proud of, that we all will agree meets the
needs of all adults who need these services.  If you believe we are
meeting those needs now, then you can sit back and enjoy the discussion,
but if you believe -- as I do -- that we are far from our goals, and that
we have much work to do, then you must work for it as an activist.  And
this list is your activist community, where you can share your strategies
and success, your frustrations and disappointments.



David J. Rosen
NLA List Moderator and 
(sometimes)  "Tin Horn Dictator"