[NLA] learner leadership/NIFL board

[Baxter, Sandra]

Colleagues,

I would like to follow up on Andy Hartman's response to Janet Isserlis on
the current status, composition, and statutory requirements related to
NIFL's Advisory Board.  

But first let me introduce myself.  As you may know, Andy left NIFL for
Colorado at the end of September.  Until a new director is appointed, I have
been designated Interim Director.  Previously, I directed NIFL's Partnership
for Reading Initiative.

As Andy said, the terms of the current Board members have expired so the
Administration is in the process of selecting nominees for a new NIFL Board.
Once the paperwork (which is extensive for all federal boards) is complete,
the White House will submit the names of its nominees to the U.S. Senate for
confirmation.  Once the new Board is in place, one of its duties will be to
recommend a new Executive Director for the Institute.  The Workforce
Investment Act states the following about NIFL's Board:

"NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR LITERACY ADVISORY BOARD -
ESTABLISHMENT
A) IN GENERAL - There shall be a National Institute for Literacy Advisory
Board, which shall consist of 10 individuals appointed by the President with
the advice and consent of the Senate.
B) COMPOSITION - The Board shall be comprised of individuals who are not
otherwise officers or employees of the Federal Government and who
representative of entities such as -
1. literacy organizations and providers of literacy services, including
nonprofit providers, providers of English literacy programs and services,
social service organizations, and eligible providers receiving assistance
under this subtitle;
2. businesses that have demonstrated interest in literacy programs;
3. literacy students, including literacy students with disabilities
4. experts in the area of literacy research;
5. state and local governments;
6. State Directors of adult education; and
7. representatives of employees, including representatives of labor
organizations.

In the history of NIFL, an adult learner, John Corcoran, has served on the
NIFL Board after being appointed by President Bush in 1992.  For more
information (including bios) about NIFL's current Board, go
to:http://www.nifl.gov/nifl/advisoryindex.html.

Sandra Baxter
Interim Director
National Institute for Literacy
1775 I Street, NW, Suite 730
Washington, DC  20006
202-233-2025 (tel)
202-233-2050 (fax)



-----Original Message-----
From: hartman [mailto:hartman at thebell.org]
Sent: Wednesday, November 28, 2001 7:25 PM
To: nla at lists.literacytent.org
Subject: RE: [NLA] learner leadership/NIFL board


Janet

The Bush Administration is currently in the process of selecting and
screening candidates for the NIFL Board.  The terms of all the current
members' have expired, and they are only serving until replaced.

Members of the Board will likely be selected based on both what they
know and who they know (or, at least, who advocates for them).  So, if
anyone has an idea of who should be on the Board, they need to act
quickly to get their candidate in the mix.  

I think having an adult learner (current or former) would be a good
addition.  You would need to find a champion for the candidate...someone
who has "traction" within this Administration.  

Andy Hartman
Director, Policy and Research
The Bell Policy Center
1801 Broadway, Suite 280
Denver, Colorado   80202
hartman at thebell.com 

-----Original Message-----
From: nla-admin at lists.literacytent.org
[mailto:nla-admin at lists.literacytent.org] On Behalf Of Janet Isserlis
Sent: Friday, November 16, 2001 3:59 PM
To: nla at lists.literacytent.org
Subject: [NLA] learner leadership/NIFL board

Colleagues,

  I'm wondering if anyone is aware of the current status and 
composition of the Board of Directors of NIFL.  As VALUE and other 
learner-led organizations have gained expertise in working with 
local, state and national literacy organizations, it seems that the 
time is right for there to be representation of adult learner leaders
within those organizations, and particularly on the NIFL board. 
Archie Willard, former president of VALUE, is one excellent candidate 
that comes to mind.  I would like to see us take up the issue of 
supporting the work of learner leaders, and particularly, hope to see 
NIFL add those leaders to their board.   While there is still no 
shortage of need for qualified  teachers to work with learners, I do 
believe that the number of  learner leaders who are very capable 
advocates has grown and that we  need to recognize, celebrate and 
heed their voices.  In addition to asking out loud about the status 
of the NIFL board, I'm also wondering if others on the list have 
experiences to share around working with adult learner leaders -- and 
especially hope that those leaders will share their own experiences, 
too.
 
Janet Isserlis

 
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