[NLA] CBO's as Key Players

[Gail Spangenberg]

Deborah,

The short answer:  It's more than opinion, but I don't have hard 
research at hand.  A longer answer follows:

I should probably not have used the word "the" key players.  And I 
did not mean to suggest that voluntary groups and CBOs don't serve 
many "higher" proficiency level needs.  Also, I really don't favor 
lumping voluntary and CBO programs into one category.  Voluntary are 
just that, but CBOs are extraordinarily varied in purpose and type.

I recall years ago seeing information from LVA and Laubach voluntary 
programs on this point, though.  You might address your question to 
ProLiteracy (voluntary programs) (pwaite at proliteracy.org) and see 
what they may currently have or be able to suggest.  You might also 
check with a few of the state ABE directors, where historically they 
have tended to pick up on instruction where voluntary/CBOs have left 
off  -- especially in states where they are known to have a strong 
commitment to a full range of provider types, like Oregon and 
Massachusetts and Illinois.   It is hard to suggest appropriate CBOs 
because of how varied they are.  A group like the Association for 
Community Based Education or Partnership for Literacy in NYC 
(formerly Bronx Education Service) may have some information on that 
one.

I believe that one of the strongest cases that can be made for public 
funding to voluntary/CBO groups is that they can reach groups that 
traditional ABE can't , by virtue of their community locations and 
the close, customized, caring attention they are designed to provide 
in one-on-one or small group tutoring.  For years it has been 
accepted that it is service to lower-level groups that make these 
programs unique.  I know that voluntary groups play a crucial role in 
bringing lowest-level learners up to a level where they can succeed 
in traditional ABE programs -- at least leaders in the voluntary 
sector and in ABE have told me this many times over the years.

Hope this  helps a little.

Gail


>(This message cross-posted to NIFL-Health)
>
>Gail Spanenburg of CAAL commented that  "...(CBO's) are the key players
>when it comes to
>providing service to adults at the lowest proficiency levels."
>
>Gail, I'm interested in whether there is any evidence, research, etc. that
>demonstrates the truth of this statement, much as I agree with it, or do
>you think the idea is basically an opinion?
>
>My Board is struggling with decisions about how to focus our advocacy
>message, with increasing concern that while we seem to be the only real
>voice (locally) inclusive of adults at the lowest proficiency levels, we
>also want to frame our message in a broader way to dispel the idea that the
>lowest-level learners are the ONLY ones we serve, or are the only ones we
>are fit to serve.
>
>Deborah W. Yoho
>Co-moderator, NIFL-Health Listserv
>President, SC Adult Literacy Educators
>Executive Director, Greater Columbia Literacy Council
>2728 Devine Street, Columbia, SC 29205
>803-765-2555 Fax 803-779-8417 dwyoho at earthlink.net
>
>
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-- 
Gail Spangenberg
President
Council for Advancement of Adult Literacy
1221 Avenue of the Americas - 50th Fl
New York, NY 10020
212-512-2362, fax 212-512-2610
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