[NLA] New Readers of Iowa Coalition

[Archie Willard]

NEW READERS OF IOWA COALITION
How We Can Improve Literacy in the United States
April, 2002

The New Readers of Iowa Coalition met April 2, 2002.  At this meeting we
discussed our history.
Iowa has had a strong New Readers program for many years.  The reading
instructional program began in earnest in 1986, adult educators were
taught methods for helping adults learn to read, and the program began
to grow.  In 1990 the first New Readers Congress was held in Des Moines,
and that meeting has now become a tradition.  For 12 straight years the
new readers have come together to learn from each other, to support each
other, and to make their voices heard.  Following are some of the ways
they have spoken.

1. Leadership development.  New readers have attended and presented
sessions on leadership.  They have demonstrated those skills by making
presentations, going to schools to speak, traveling to other states to
attend conferences and meetings, and even working to develop the
national adult reading organization (VALUE).

II. Reading Activities.  New readers have gone to local elementary
schools, and have spoken to the children, and read with them.  Several
times new readers have presented a session at the Iowa Reading
Conference, on the topic: What it is like for that child in the back of
the room.

III. Voting.  The new readers made an appointment with the Iowa
Secretary of State, and met with him for nearly 2 hours, sharing their
experiences when trying to vote or to get information about voting.  The
Secretary met with the new readers at the Fall, 2001 conference, and the
participants spent the day looking over ballots and sharing their
thoughts on those ballots.  A summary of that activity was forwarded to
the Secretary.

IV. Self-Confidence.  Almost all the Iowa new readers report a great
increase in self-confidence.  One of the shyer new readers has taken
over the summer care for her autistic grandson.  She says she never
would have had the courage to do that without the new readers group.

V. Better Jobs.  Several new readers have shared that they were able to
get higher paying jobs after gaining increased reading skill.  Others
felt more secure in their present jobs, and were better able to do what
was asked of them.

VI. Behavior.  Some new readers reported improvement in personal
behavior.  Because of the lack of skill, occasional "bad behavior" made
life more difficult for the new readers.  The new confidence they
developed as their reading skills increased made life more enjoyable for
them and for those with whom they live and work.

Other thoughts and comments from New Readers.

1.   Sometimes people look at me funny when they find out I can't read.
I don't like that.

2.   In many places they won't hire you without a high school diploma.
I can do the work, I just can't get the job.

3.   Employers "Don't want you" if you can't read.  They seem to be
scared of you, like it was catching.

4.   If the children have trouble in school, it is important to look at
the whole family!

5.   Smaller student/teacher ratio makes learning easier.  The teachers
have time to help you.

6.   Schools are graduating students who can't read.  Then they are
adults who still can't read.  It is like, now it isn't
      the school's problem any more.

7.   It is really hard to take that first step, to say you can't read
and go in for help.  It really shouldn't
      be something shameful.

8.   It is hard to know how to find help, where to go.

9.   Look at a book with a blank page.  That is how a new reader feels.

10. If adults don't know how to read, they can't help their children
with schoolwork.  They don't want
      their children to go through life like they did.

11. It takes a long time to learn.

What can WE do to help?

1.     Go to school and read.  This is for both good readers and those
who are not so good. Teachers
        can correct the adults, too.  That shows the children that it is
ok to be corrected.

2.     Share personal stories with children and in adult groups as
well.  And also share with parents of children
        with special learning needs.

3.     Get active in literacy meetings, and with the state literacy
council.

4.     Groups of new readers could and should travel across the state
sharing their stories.  They should go to other states
        as well.  They should go everywhere people will listen to them.

5.     They need to reach out to others.  This is very hard, and
sometimes embarrassing.

6.     Try to get appointed to local advisory councils and boards.
Commit to participating if you join.

7.     Give back.  Volunteer where you can.  Let people know you and see
that you have talents, too.

VALUE is the national voice for New Readers.  This should be funded at
the federal level and by the state directors.  The group needs backing
and support.  Without it, the group will be less effective.  New Readers
need this national voice.

Archie Willard
Adult Learner









--
Archie Willard
millard at goldfieldaccess.net
FAX - 515-448-3213
URL - http://www.readiowa.org/archiew.html

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