No subject

supportive of the program's goals and objectives. I would encourage program
directors to seek those evaluators out."

Really?  Now this is interesting.  I'm wondering if those NLA commentators
who believe strongly in "rigorous" research would insist on evaluators who
specifically know NOTHING about a given program's goals in order to be
objective?  This raises the question of WHO should be minding the store.  

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


> [Original Message]
> From: Sheryl Gowen <epssag at langate.gsu.edu>
> To: <nla at lists.literacytent.org>
> Date: 11/15/2002 1:33:59 PM
> Subject: Re:  [NLA] Research in adult literacy education
>
> Andrea,
>
> You ask several important questions and make one essential observation:  =
> Literacy programs need an "ongoing program of research, supported by the =
> report of outside evaluators" in order to secure and maintain funding =
> levels.  Like it or not, the need  for systematic program evaluation is =
> essential in the current economic and political climate.  It is possible =
> to find evaluators that are pro-active and supportive of the program's =
> goals and objectives.  I would encourage program directors to seek those =
> evaluators out.
>
> Sheryl Gowen, Associate Professor
> Research, Measurement and Statistics
> Department of Educational Policy Studies
> Georgia State University
> Atlanta, GA 30303-3083
> sgowen at gsu.edu
> 404.651.1152
> fax 404.651.1009
> >>> AWilder106 at aol.com 11/15/02 09:10 AM >>>
> Dear Nancy,
>
> OK, your question:
>
> How was the decision made to begin the NRS reporting system?
>
> Now, I think you said that administrators did not actually use the =
> system,=20
> and that resulted in a drop of numbers reported, and hence less funding. 
=
> Is=20
> this correct?
>
> If what I am saying is not correct, then how is it that your local =
> literacy=20
> program (is this you?) was stripped of federal funding?
>
> How is the use of the NRS related to PRIOR inaccuracy in literacy =
> statistics=20
> as reported to policy makers?  How do you know the figures were
inaccurate?=
>  =20
> How were the figures calculated?
>
> Now about documents quoted on the NLA.  Which are you talking about here?
>
> As you can see, I am ignorant about several matters.  The NRS was =
> discussed=20
> on the NLA last spring, but this sounds like a different conversation.
>
> What I have written above sounds like a money discussion.  Now to =
> educational=20
> content, where I think you also have some feelings.
>
> I think your concern here is that the ongoing program of research =
> supported=20
> by your organization will be pushed aside by new federal requirements=20
> dictating new modes of teaching.  Is this right? =20
>
> I am not sure exactly how this would happen, and if there would be=20
> considerable bargaining around teaching issues.  I should think that an=20
> ongoing program of research, supported by the report of outside
evaluators,=
> =20
> which Marsha Tait spoke about in a spring post would increase the =
> credibility=20
> of your teaching methods and outcomes.  Could be wrong, though.
>
> Overall, you feel that volunteer literacy programs have lost funding =
> support=20
> and now may be forced to change teaching methodology?
>
> Thanks for your patience through all these questions.
>
> Andrea
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