>

>This could be interesting from a workplace/workforce education point of view

>

>In celebration of International Literacy Day on September 8th, The National

>Institute for Literacy invites you to attend a special webcast 

>presentation on

>the 2003 National Assessment of Adult Literacy (NAAL). This session will 

>be an

>interactive presentation providing a brief overview of the 2003 National

>Assessment of Adult Literacy (NAAL), followed by a question-and-answer period.

>

>When: Wednesday, September 8th, Time: 1:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. EST

>Where: http://www.nifl.gov/nifl/webcasts/20040908/webcast09-08.html Please

>RSVP by September 7 to Connie Harich via e-mail charich at nifl.gov

>

>As the most recent adult literacy assessment conducted by the National Center

>for Education Statistics (NCES), the 2003 NAAL will provide the first

>assessment of the nation's progress in adult literacy since 1992. The 2003

>NAAL will provide information about background factors associated with

>literacy, the skill levels of the least-literate adults, and the application

>of literacy skills to health-related materials.

>

>NAAL will provide objective information on the background characteristics and

>literacy skills of adults age 16 and older. Such information will prove most

>useful to educators, practitioners, researchers, and policymakers at the

>federal, state, and local levels. For example, it can help improve adult

>literacy programs, provide better services to low-literate adults, and enrich

>the theory and study of literacy itself. To learn more about the 2003 NAAL,

>visit our website http://www.nces.ed.gov/naal/design/about02.asp.

>

>

>I am looking forward to sharing information about the 2003 NAAL and answering

>your questions about the assessment. International Literacy Day was first

>observed on September 8, 1967, with the aim of focusing attention on the need

>to promote worldwide literacy. We hope that you have time to join us in this

>webcast presentation. Please mark it on your calendar.

>

>Sincerely,

>

>Sheida White

>NAAL Project Officer

>sheida.white at ed.gov <sheida.white at ed.gov>