[NLA] Info: Grassroots Advocacy Is Our Key To Survival This Year

[Jon Randall]

BAD NEWS ... Preliminary indications are that this is going
to be a tough year for adult education here in Washington,
DC. Action by local literacy advocates around the country
will be needed like never before. There could be a number
challenges for us this year - some of them extreme:

1. We may face a small cut in federal adult education
funding for FY'03 (see alert that follows)
2. We could face a significant cut in FY'04 funding if the
powers that be choose to partially offset the costs of
homeland security and a war with Iraq through cuts in
domestic programs, including education
3. Adult education is specifically included in the
super-wavier provision in the President's welfare reform
proposal - if it passes, states could divert all adult
education funding for other purposes
4. The Administration's proposal for reauthorization of the
Workforce Investment Act (WIA) could contain plans to do
things as drastic as move adult education to the Department
of Labor

Breathe. Numbers 2 and 4 are only "worst case scenario"
speculation at this point. However, #1 and 3 ARE ACTUAL
THREATS we <do> face this year.

GOOD NEWS ... There is no need to panic. These challenges
are covered in the comprehensive advocacy plan of the
National Coalition for Literacy (NCL). In addition -
speaking as a grassroots advocate now - many of us honed our
advocacy skills last fall with the NIFL letter campaigns in
the House and Senate. We're up to dealing with these
challenges.

NCL members will continue to work together to determine the
appropriate message and timing for advocacy action. We'll
provide updates and alerts, talking points, sample letters,
and lists of who to contact. At times, the NCL will call for
action in specific States or Congressional Districts and
whenever needed, it will urge every literacy supporter in
the country to weigh in. The NCL will try very hard not "go
to the well" too many times in mobilizing the grassroots.
However ...

ONLY GRASSROOTS ADVOCACY WILL SAVE THE DAY ... To save the
day on so many fronts, we all will need to mobilize others
and respond to action alerts ourselves as never before.
We'll need letters from every student, volunteer, teacher,
administrator, board member and supporter willing to help
preserve and improve adult education. Occasionally over the
next 10 months, each of us may have to take action as often
as twice a month.

NEAR-TERM  PLAN ... The NCL sees the need to make two big
pushes over the next four weeks.

1. Now ... We need to prevent funding cuts in the FY'03
appropriations bill. (See alert that follows.)
2. Two weeks from now ... We'll need to weigh in on the
President's budget for FY'04 and urge that adult education
be removed from the super-wavier

LOOKING OUT A LITTLE FURTHER ... The Omnibus Literacy
Legislation Concept Paper is ready to go. The NCL hopes to
have it up on its web site for all to see before the end of
next week. In the coming weeks, NCL leaders will be asking
friends on the Hill to develop and introduce legislation
based on it. As the actual legislation is written, the NCL
will ask grassroots advocates to urge their Senators and
Congresspersons to co-sponsor this important legislation.

Best,
Jon


Jon Randall
Public Policy Committee Chair
National Coalition for Literacy
www.natcoalitionliteracy.org

ProLiteracy Worldwide continues to underwrite
the coordination of NCL policy efforts
www.proliteracy.org

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