[NLA] Discussion: Proposed FY 04 Adult Basic and Literacy Education Budget

[David J. Rosen]

NLA Colleagues,

The web address for the Administration's proposed budget for adult
education will be found below.  It is called "Adult Basic and Literacy
Education" so maybe nationally, as is the case now in several states, we
will become the ABLE system.  This name was one of the top choices in
the national online survey I did a couple of years ago.

In a time of cutbacks some will be relieved to see that level funding is
proposed. But level funding is not enough when urgent demand greatly
exceeds supply of these essential public education services, and where
adult basic skills are needed in order to accomplish other national
goals such as child literacy, family health, and employment.

This budget calls for absorption of national program funding into state
grants.  Some would argue that this is not bad, that the USDOE has not
always used national funds wisely.  But this makes it even more
important that the National Institute for Literacy not dilute its
commitment to *adult* literacy. We do have some major problems that
cannot be solved by the states alone: national support for adult
literacy education research, curriculum (especially Equipped For the
Future,) and assessment. I am especially concerned that we will not be
able to address serious deficiencies with the current assessment
instruments used to meet National Reporting System requirements.  We
need a major and long-term national commitment to develop valid and
reliable instruments, including direct measures as well as tests. As
Paul Jurmo noted, practitioners want to know how the administration can
require accountability but not support the development of research; and
I would add, valid and reliable assessment instruments needed in order
to be accountable.  To solve these problems we need national leadership.

David J. Rosen
DJRosen at theworld.com

The proposed budget will be found at
http://www.ed.gov/offices/OUS/Budget04/04summary/section2c.html#adult



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