NLA Info: Thursday Notes

[DJRosen@world.std.com]

[Cross-posted from NIFL-Workplace]

>From the Desk of Ronald S. Pugsley, Director, DAEL
Office of Vocational and Adult Education
Editor: Sarah Newcomb
Production: Rose Tilghman

November 11, 1999
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Appropriations

As expected, President Clinton vetoed the initial Labor-HHS-Education
appropriations package forwarded by Congress last week. At press time, the
Congress is expected to pass and the President sign another Continuing
Resolution through next week.

Department Announces New EL/Civics Grants

The US Department of Education is making available nearly $7 million in new
funding for 20-25 projects to demonstrate effective ways to teach English
literacy in the context of the rights and responsibilities of citizenship.
Grants will be administered by OVAE's Division of Adult Education and
Literacy. Eligible applicants include: public postsecondary institutions;
public or private organizations and agencies; or consortia of eligible
entities. Awards will range from an estimated $180,000-$350,000 each year
for up to three years, depending on the availability of appropriations.
Priority will be given to projects serving areas with a significant unmet
need for English literacy/civics and to projects that can provide a 25 %
cash or in-kind match annually. Deadline is 60 days after publication in the
Federal Register, expected 11/12 or 11/15/99. See
http://ocfo.ed.gov/fedreg.htm Technical assistance workshops will be
announced in the Federal Register and on http://www.ed.gov/offices/OVAE

AZ Has Draft Citizenship and ESOL Standards

As part of its overall revamping of adult education statewide, Arizona has
created content and performance standards for just about every aspect of
adult education-including Citizenship Test Preparation and English for
Speakers of Other Languages. The citizenship performance standards describe
learner skills that can be used to assess whether learners fall into
"beginning," "approaching" or "proficient" levels in relation to the
standards. ESOL performance standards apply the skill categories
"beginning," "approaching," "met" and  "mastery" to Pre-Literacy, Level 1,
Level 2, Level 3. Also available are content standards and sample activities
for citizenship and ESOL as well as other subjects. See
http://www.ade.state.az.us Contact kliersc at mail1.ade.state.az.us

WY Moves Adult Ed to College Commission

Beginning on December 1, Wyoming's adult education program will be operated
by the Wyoming Community College Board. State Director Diana Stithem moves
with the program. No new contact information is available at press time.
Contact dstith at educ.state.wy.us

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A Fact Sheet from the Division of Adult Education and Literacy
Office of Vocational and Adult Education
OVAE Homepage http://www.ed.gov/offices/OVAE/