[NLA] David's model and teacher certification

[Art LaChance]

Margaret,

You know, I'll just bet you this is quite similar to what happened to k12 waaaaay
back when it was at the peak of success.  Beaurocracy.  Ain't it wonderful.?
(I'm from GA, I can say ain't and it's ok)  The clincher is your statement that
begins "It makes no sense.........."

Art


Art LaChance
Gilmer Learning Center
Ellijay,GA

DoughtyHRC at aol.com wrote:

> I want to share you to a concern that I believe will severely impact the
> successful operation of community-based adult literacy programs in the state.
>   The Texas Education Agency Adult Education Division has determined that
> non-degreed staff may not teach in adult education classes.  This implies
> that degreed staff perform better than non-degreed staff and that non-degreed
> staff perform poorly.
>
> Where is the evidence-based research that has been undertaken to show that
> degreed staff out-perform staff with years of experience and intense focused
> staff development.  As far as I can tell there is no evidence of any.
>
> The Workforce Investment Act that flows the Adult Education federal funds to
> Texas allows the state to issue waivers so that well-qualified but
> non-degreed staff performing successfully may teach adult education classes.
>  This allows programs, especially community-based programs, to stretch adult
> education dollars further and serve more clients.   Waivers have been
> permitted in the past but the state adult education director will not now
> permit their use.   If there are no waivers the following will take place:
>
> · Many excellent instructors may be lost
> · degreed staff paid $14 - $20 an hour will replace some current staff paid
> at $8 - $14 an hour
> · fewer staff will be hired
> · fewer learners will be served
> · with 75% of current learners in many programs enrolled in ESL classes this
> will impact the Hispanic population most severely
>
> CBO's support the use of qualified, non-degreed staff and support continual
> improvement and staff development.   The CBO's across the state with whom I
> have worked engage in targeted staff development to enable instructors to
> meet learner goals as quickly and efficiently as possible.   What would make
> sense in terms of program improvement for literacy providers is not to
> indiscriminately cut non-degreed staff, but to:
>
> 1. provide a credit system where staff development could lead incrementally
> to a degree in the literacy field;
> 2. research teaching improvements made by such training before cutting
> teachers who are clearly doing a good job in a very staff-challenged field.
>
> (It makes no sense to hire a person with a geology degree over a seasoned ESL
> teacher, who shows great competence in teaching English to immigrants,
> reflects the background of the learners and consistently moves students to
> the next level.)
>
> In a time of budget cuts cost effectiveness must play a part in
> decision-making. CBO's struggle to raise funds, especially in times when
> dollars are scarce.  To hire better 'paper qualified' staff at the expense of
> 'experience qualified' staff is costly.   It is a mistake to think that
> paying less for staffing implies a less able staff.   It signifies that the
> experience, passion and dedication that adult literacy instructors bring to
> their work has little value in the eyes of the state adult education system.
>
> The Workforce Investment Act is to be reauthorized next.   Already review is
> underway for improvement in the law.   The Texas Education Agency should be
> prevented from removing the waiver until:
>
> 1. The agency has undertaken research to show whether degreed staff
> out-perform non-degreed staff and whether non-degreed staff perform
> adequately.
> 2. The WIA reauthorization activities have been completed so that changes
> will be made with a thorough grasp of all the implications under the new
> federal legislation.
>
> This current action from TEA will deny services to thousands of learners at a
> time when the state is trying to increase enrollment and provide the
> framework for decision making based on research.
>
> At this moment teachers have been alerted that they may not have a job whent
> he new fiscal year begins next month.
>
> Margaret Doughty
>
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