[NLA] Adult Education in the US and UK

[Pam Alger]

I agree with  you on the lack of national leadership.  But, even in the
80's when adult literacy and education was a "sexy" topic in the United
States, we lacked the national passion they had in the UK.  I remember
how much I was taken by one of the slogan of the Basic Skills Agency (or
was it unit then) - "Literacy is a Right - Not a Privilege."  I always
thought there was something very strong and positive about that theme
which stood in sharp contrast to our more reticent stance.
Pam Alger
Adult Education and Literacy Services
Azusa City Library
palger at ci.azusa.ca.us
>>> tsticht at aznet.net 12/10/01 09:12AM >>>
Adult Education in the US and UK
Tom Sticht


However, my visit to the UK offered me another lesson that I did not
discuss there. This is the lesson of the profound importance of
national
leadership for advancing the AELS . During my  visit I was once again
convinced of the lack of political will and national leadership for
adult literacy education that we face in the United States. There are
no
highly visible, honored members of either the Executive or Legislative
branches of our national government, nor outstanding leaders from
business, charitable foundations, or elsewhere,  who champion the
cause
of adult education and speak out frequently and passionately in the
broadcast or print media, or in important national forums, on behalf
of
the need for the AELS and a national commitment to adult lifelong
learning. 

At the end of my week in the UK, I was disappointed to find myself
thinking that, in contrast to the positive, dynamic, forward looking
activities of the national leadership in England and Wales, our own
national adult education and literacy leadership appears moribund.
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