[NIFL-AALPD:417] Re: Concerns about advocacy

AndresMuro@aol.com

Date: Sun, 25 May 2003 14:58:04 -0400 (EDT)
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Subject: [NIFL-AALPD:417] Re: Concerns about advocacy
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Jackie:

I understand part of what you are saying, even if I don't agree. However, this is what I do not understand:

What do the words Iraq, war, chopping block, action alert, etc have to do with what you are suggesting?

All that needed to be done is to post a message, requesting participants not to post messages urging people to contact congress.   

Even this is not consistent with education theory. As I understand, the purpose of the lists is for adult education practitioners to learn more about the field, exchange views and improve practice. Policy is directly connected to practice at many levels. What we teach and how we teach it is decided by policy. Funding for what we do is decided by policy. The social context of our students' lives is partly determined by policy. Hence, our entire practice is directly influenced by policy. So, when we exchange political views and urge people to participate in political activity, we are directly engaging in our practice as educators.

Giroux wrote a book called "Teachers as Intellectuals" (one of my favorite books) He essentially argues that what happens in the classroom is directly tied to society and policy. If we are preparing people for the real world, we must know what is happening in the real world and explore it in the classroom. The list-serves are places where we can learn and discuss what happens in the real world, that impacts our practice. 

According to Giroux, teachers can either make the connections explicit or not. Intellectual teachers are those that are aware of the connections and try to make the connections explicit (I am oversimplifying his argument).  

One of the funding sources that many of us have is for English literacy civics. This funding is to teach English while exposing the students to civics life. In fact, the funding is explicitly earmarked to facilitate for our students what we are being prohibited from doing here. It is kind of ironic. 

The list serve would improve considerably if people that have different political or pedagogical perspectives would participate in the discussions, rather than trying to restrict them. For example, I know that many people support the "back to basics" models, or are against bilingual education. I have never understood the theoretical or practical grounds for these pedagogical perspectives. However, since the promoters of these models do not participate in these groups, it is hard to engage in a dialogue to learn more about their models. I know that there is literature supporting their models, but the literature is weak, inconsistent and full of holes. Therefore, an expert could share the views and enlighten us. Instead, they seem to prefer that we do not speak our minds.

Andres

In a message dated 5/25/2003 12:03:32 PM Eastern Standard Time, jataylor <jataylor@utk.edu> writes:

>Hello everyone,
>I have been informed that the content filters were removed this weekend, and 
>none of your messages will be filtered out/rejected.  It is my understanding 
>that the placement of the filters on the lists was only a *temporary*, but 
>*emergency* action needed to keep the lists from being shut down entirely.  I 
>believe noone subscribed to this or other lists would ever intentionally try 
>to damage NIFL in reauthorization by posting advocacy messages.  Yet we must 
>accept the fact that those in higher positions looking to change NIFL may 
>seize any opportunity to do so, including taking advantage of list emails that 
>stray from what is within the realms of law.
>
>While we may not have all agreed with this action and could argue how things 
>might have been handled differently, I for one, am glad that the lists were 
>still kept in operation until this difficult issue was resolved.
>
>As indicated in the message below, because this is a liststerv supported by a 
>federal agency, the listserv cannot include postings *urging* people to do 
>things like contact congress regarding different issues. This is because 
>federal law prohibits the use of appropriated funds to support advocacy.  I 
>believe there are many other additional ways we can still come to understand 
>PD-related policy matters through dialogue without urging action, and how 
>changes in policy affect how we alter the design and delivery of professional 
>development learning experiences.
>
>As Sandra mentioned, she will be working with all of the moderators to ensure 
>that actions like this do not happen again.  I will do the very best I can to 
>ensure an open forum for dialogue that meets all three goals of AALPD.  If our 
>interests conflict with federal law, AALPD can always explore additional 
>venues.  I seem to remember several good suggestions back when we were engaged 
>in discussion via the Options thread.
>
>I have been told that all non-advocacy messages posted to AALPD that were 
>filtered out, will be restored in the archives and/or resent across the list.  
>I am working with them now to make this happen.
>
>Like other moderators, I am also a firm believer that adult literacy does need 
>a listserv outlet for getting the message out about advocacy. Fortunately, 
>such a mechanism already exists. The National Literacy Advocacy (NLA) is not 
>federally sponsored - it is sponsored by the American Association of Adult and 
>Continuing Education. I encourage all of you to subscribe and particpate in 
>important advocacy issues. To do so, go to:
>http://lists.literacytent.org/mailman/listinfo/aaace-nla.)
>
>I hope this answers the many passionate concerns of yours.  Please hang in 
>there until we can overcome this difficult time.  If you have any further 
>questions, I will be more than happy to entertain them after the holiday 
>weekend.
>
>All my best to you -
>
>Jackie Taylor
>NIFL-AALPD List Facilitator
>jataylor@utk.edu
>
>

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