[NLA] ADULT literacy in D.C. & NIFL board nominations

[Gail Spangenberg]

Friends,

I've been asked about the extent to which the ADULT will be retained 
in the federal commitment to adult literacy and to what extent it may 
be in jeopardy.  I don't know the answer.  Probably no one does at 
present.  I do know that a number of organizations, including CAAL, 
have taken steps to impress upon Congress the continuing, priority 
importance of adult literacy.  Indeed, the National Coalition for 
Literacy, COABE, and NAEPDC have carried out campaigns involving 
people at the grassroots level.

I have heard predictions from believable sources that range from the 
gloomy to optimistic, but this morning someone close to the action 
advised that we have a good chance of at least retaining level 
funding for adult literacy--which would have to be considered a 
positive outcome in the present economic and political climate.   We 
won't know for a few weeks yet, of course, and even if level funding 
is approved, there can be recisions.  So, it's possible that when the 
dust has settled, the field will have experienced some setbacks. 
We'll have to wait and see.  Congress is very far along in its 
deliberations and letters or campaigns in support of adult literacy 
wouldn't have much impact at this stage.

In the meantime, I find myself mulling over these two related 
questions:  (1) As new funds are put into the in-school literacy 
programs favored by the Administration, will they so dwarf the 
allocations to adult programs that the capabilities of NIFL and DAEL 
staff will be strained where adult programs are concerned?  (2) As 
budgets are cut at the state level--which seems inevitable--will 
adult literacy be disproportionately affected, and what can be done 
within the states to protect against this?  David Rosen has provided 
some excellent guidance on this recently, in speaking about the 
situation in Massachusetts.  In a different way, Archie Willard has 
apparently been effective in communicating with the Iowa legislature.

Regarding nominations to the NIFL board, I'm advised that there is 
still time to get names in.  Given the shortness of time, though, the 
process suitable only 2-3 weeks ago may not be suitable now, so I've 
asked for advice on how best to do this and will post the information 
here the moment I get it.

By the way, I agree with those who advocate the importance of an 
adult literacy learner on the NIFL board.  I only wanted to urge that 
as people consider candidates to advance for this role, they consider 
a full range of options and keep in mind how amazingly diverse the 
pool of adult learners is--it includes former and current governors, 
high profile celebrities, and powerful CEOs, all of whom have "walked 
the walk."  Of course, passion for the cause and commitment matter, 
too.


-- 
Gail Spangenberg
President
Council for Advancement of Adult Literacy
1221 Avenue of the Americas - 50th Floor
New York, NY 10020
212-512-2362, fax 212-512-2610