[NLA] Fwd: Metro Briefing New York

[Norene Peterson]

Thanks, Art, for your analysis of NRS data.  As I was telling David Rosen, sometimes some of us who are perceived as lurkers are actually very active by forwarding information on to our colleagues.  Your message really hit a nerve with me, so I sent it on with the following editiorial (see below) to our center's staff and Adult Basic and Literacy Education (ABLE) state directors.  Some of you on the list may also want to take a look at our Montana LINCS Legislative Link.  
a.. Go to www.nwlincs.org . 
a.. Click on Montana.  
a.. Then click on What's New and Legislative Link. 
NP =)

Norene Peterson
Adult Education Center
415 North 30th
Billings, MT 59101
406-247-3720
petersonnh at billings.k12.mt.us

Sent: Monday, January 06, 2003 7:58 PM
Subject: Funding and stats - Very Important!!!

We have frequently talked about our statistics or should I say lack of decent stats.  Read the brief info below to see that others throughout the country are experiencing similar frustrations.  Unfortunately, it is now beginning to take a toll on funding in D.C., New York, and several other places.  What's next?  
 
Obviously, programs nationwide are still doing the job they are supposed to do - working with the hard-to-serve students and not creaming.  But the "boys" with the bucks want to see better stats.  It's a vicious circle, isn't it?  We have always known education is a numbers game, and yet at times we have tried to deny it.  The way the NRS is asking for data to be reported leaves us little alternative but to report limited growth.  I agree with Art LaChance (below) - I, too, am not surprised.  I am only saddened.  
 
But sometimes when I get sad, I get mad.  Yes, we have published our student writing in the newsletter, and we have talked to the students about writing letters to legislators.  That is still not enough until students actually begin writing and sending their letters to the legislators.  We can not sit back and lose our state money.  I challenge all of us to continue our legislative activity and get our students to contact their legislators.  Statistics?  This is one time we certainly do not want to become one.  We can not wait any longer!  Please take action!  Now!
NP =)

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Art LaChance" <arthur at ellijay.com>
To: <nla at lists.literacytent.org>
Sent: Monday, January 06, 2003 10:14 AM
Subject: Re: [NLA] Fwd: Metro Briefing New York


> I think it goes along with the thought that we need to downplay the
> 'welfare' philosophy and get all these folks back to 'work'.  When you
> look critically at the NRS data that was collected - nationwide - adult
> lit only saw about 10% of the target population or that population who
> should 'need us'.  Out of that 10%, only about 20% of them were actually
> served successfully in terms of upping a level or two.  So overall they,
> the fed legislature, only sees us as 'effective' for what - 2% of the
> target population ???  Not good in terms of funneling additional $$ our
> way.  The fact that the data was almost impossible to attain is not a
> factor in their decision making process.  What would you do in their
> place if decreasing taxes and government spending was your primary
> platform ?   Especially when the precursor to the funded program, the
> local volunteer based programs, had almost the same outcome as the funded
> version ?   I've been seeing the trend build on the NLA list for a year
> now, I'm not surprised at this.
> 
> art
> 
> "Landrum, Elaine" wrote:
> 
> > These emails are not good news. What are these people thinking?
> >
> > Elaine
> 
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