[NLA] Info and Discussion: Adult Education System Name Survey

[Heide Wrigley]

Hi, Jim and others 
 
I like your suggestion that we include "English" as part of literacy, not
because I believe that English is the only literacy that counts, (it isn't)
but because it makes explicit reference to the fact that close to half the
adult education system is made up of "English language learners".  
 
Some of us in the past have suggested a title for the system that includes
references to "language" as well as to "literacy" since most funders don't
see language and communication skills as a key components of literacy
education (especially now with the focus on studies that equate literacy
with reading.)  As the number of ESOL participants in the system grows,
particularly in the beginning and low intermediate levels, it might be time
again to look at what a system of "language and literacy education" for
adult immigrants new to English should like like and how it might fit into
an overall system of adult education and literacy. 
 
 
cheers 

Heide 



Heide Spruck Wrigley, Ph.D.  
Senior Researcher for Language, Literacy, and Learning 
Aguirre International 
480 E4th Ave 
San Mateo, CA 
94401 
Phone: 650 373 4923 

-----Original Message-----
From: Parker, James [mailto:James.Parker at ed.gov]
Sent: Monday, December 30, 2002 5:08 AM
To: 'nla at lists.literacytent.org'
Subject: RE: [NLA] Info and Discussion: Adult Education System Name Survey



Two problems (at least) with AE&L" 
- the term "Education" is often used as a program or process, whereas
"Literacy" is often used as a condition or state of being

- "Literacy" can be seen as a subset of "Education" or as a prerequisite of
being educated. 
So the two terms are often used in different ways.  

Another thought: 
At the US Department of Education, the Division's name was changed from
Division of Adult Education (same as the legislation) to Division of Adult
Education and Literacy because a "literacy initiative" was added to the
Division in the early 80's.  That component was eventually dropped, but the
name stuck.  If we were to now follow the legislation, the name would be
"Division of Adult Education and Family Literacy".  Two problems with that:

- the subset problem 
- Family Literacy represents about 2% of enrollments.  Perhaps the overall
title should be "English"....the largest (and only) program growth area for
the last 5 years!

-----Original Message----- 
From: David J. Rosen [ mailto:DJRosen at theworld.com
<mailto:DJRosen at theworld.com> ] 
Sent: Saturday, December 28, 2002 10:17 PM 
To: nla at lists.literacytent.org 
Subject: [NLA] Info and Discussion: Adult Education System Name Survey 





NLA Colleagues, 

Below is a message from the NLA 2000 archives which lists the final top 
choices for a name for the adult education system.  Although *Adult 
Education and Literacy* was voted among the top four choices, there was 
no consensus on a name. Since then, many people have used *Adult 
Education and Literacy* ,apparently without objection from anyone, to 
refer to the programs funded by WIA Title II (and also -- according to 
Tom Sticht, mistakenly -- to refer to other adult learning and literacy 
programs in the field, regardless of funding.) 

Perhaps we could agree that the *Adult Educaton and Literacy System* 
refers to programs funded under WIA Title II, and that one of the top 
two choices,  *Adult Learning and Literacy (ALL)*, should be used to 
refer to the larger field which includes WIA TItle II funded  programs 
-- and others. 

David J. Rosen 
NLA List Moderator 

http://www.nifl.gov/nifl-nla/2000/1766.html
<http://www.nifl.gov/nifl-nla/2000/1766.html>  




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