Return-Path: <nifl-womenlit@literacy.nifl.gov> Received: from literacy (localhost [127.0.0.1]) by literacy.nifl.gov (8.10.2/8.10.2) with SMTP id e94Hm5902144; Wed, 4 Oct 2000 13:48:05 -0400 (EDT) Date: Wed, 4 Oct 2000 13:48:05 -0400 (EDT) Message-Id: <s9db347d.045@langate.gsu.edu> Errors-To: alcrsb@langate.gsu.edu Reply-To: nifl-womenlit@literacy.nifl.gov Originator: nifl-womenlit@literacy.nifl.gov Sender: nifl-womenlit@literacy.nifl.gov Precedence: bulk From: "Daphne Greenberg" <ALCDGG@langate.gsu.edu> To: Multiple recipients of list <nifl-womenlit@literacy.nifl.gov> Subject: [NIFL-WOMENLIT:1036] Presidential candidates-XPost from NLA X-Listprocessor-Version: 6.0c -- ListProcessor by Anastasios Kotsikonas Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 X-Mailer: Novell GroupWise Internet Agent 5.5.3.1 Status: O Content-Length: 4771 Lines: 26 Now that the first set of US presidential debates are over, some of you who teach in the US may be interested in the adult literacy positions of Gore and Bush (as far as I know the other candidates have not published their positions on this). This might be interesting to share with your learners. If you do, I would be curious to find out what kinds of reactions they share. When I read these statements (see below), I was struck by the emphasis on family literacy. Are any of you struck by this? What are your reactions? Here is a posting that was sent to NLA listserv awhile ago. It delineates the candidates' positions: Presidential candidates George Bush and Al Gore have submitted position statements on adult literacy to LVA. The statements have been published in the fall edition of LVA's newsletter, The Reader. The statements appear below in alphabetical order, unedited by LVA. George W. Bush Improving education has been my number one priority as Governor, both in focus and in funding. As President, I will make education my number one domestic policy priority. And I will operate from a very simple premise: I believe all children can learn and no child should be left behind. Success in school is strongly influenced by how much parents expose a child to language and reading before starting school. Children who have been read to for hundreds of hours are much more likely to start school ready to learn. Family literacy is an excellent way to increase vitally important parental involvement. Family literacy programs work to break the parent-to-child cycle of illiteracy. Through intensive education of more than one generation, family literacy programs build on families strengths. Families come to school together. While their children learn in nearby classrooms, parents work on their own reading skills. And parents practice teaching their children under the guidance of professional teachers. Parents learn that the most important thing they can do to prepare their children for success in school is to read to them early and often. In 1996, with the financial support of the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy, Laura and I established the First Ladys Family Literacy Initiative for Texas. The initiative is a grant program which awards seed money to Texas family literacy programs. Thus far, the initiative has granted almost $800,000 to 40 family literacy programs. I strongly believe that families are the backbone of our society and as Governor of Texas, I have supported efforts that help families either through increasing child care funding for low-income families, transitional assistance from those families on welfare who find employment, and offering affordable childrens health insurance available statewide. Family Literacy programs are another powerful example how our nation can offer support to our families in todays society. Al Gore Today, education is the key to success in life, starting with literacy skillsłthe ability to read, write, and solve problems. Yet 40% of adults lack the literacy skills needed to compete in todays workforce, to raise a family, and to participate fully in their community. Everyone must be literate so families can succeed in the new economy and help children do well in school. Research has shown that the educational level of the parent is the best predictor of how well a child will do in school. We know that low literacy impacts the ability of adults and families to access and benefit from healthcare information. And limited literacy impacts a wide range of community and social concerns across the nation. I believe we must work together to provide opportunities for every adult American to have access to high quality literacy services wherever they live. Not everyone masters the basic skills they need for life in the traditional K-12 educational system, so learning opportunities must never end. We all must play a rolełfamilies, educators, policymakers, businesses, civic organizations and congregations. Anyone who knows someone who might be limited because of low basic skills should encourage them to enroll in adult literacy education services. The National Literacy Hotline at 1-800-228-8813 can help locate a program in any community. We all share the responsibility for making adult and family literacy a national priority. As President, I will make adult and family literacy and lifelong learning a priority for increased support, and continue the budget increases that the administration has recommended for the past eight years. An educated America is a strong America. Daphne Greenberg Center for the Study of Adult Literacy Georgia State University University Plaza Atlanta, GA 30303-3083 Fax: 404-651-1415 Ph: 404-651-0400 E-mail: alcdgg@langate.gsu.edu
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