Dear Colleagues in Adult Education and Literacy:

 

I can not tell you how very good this news is!  I just returned from the
U.S. Chamber of Commerce National Summit on Education and Workforce
Development.  Promotion of No Child Left Behind was the number one agenda
item, closely followed by criticism of the country's school systems and the
fact that they are unable to turn out graduates prepared for post secondary
education and training or employment.  NEVER ONCE was Adult Education
mentioned, much less recognized as the safety net for many of those already
left behind.  As an adult educator and businesswoman, I was one of a very
small minority of participants.  The educators who presented were few in
number and for the most part, I would have to say out of touch with reality.
I attended, knowing that there was a political agenda, but like a few
others, went seeking a fair and level playing field.  

 

After listening to numerous reports of countless million-dollar studies to
identify the skills and proficiencies needed by learners to enter employment
and/or post secondary education and training, another attendee (well
informed, from the workforce development side of the house) and I wondered
why this gathering of minds had never heard of SCANS or Equipped for the
Future. 

 

One redeeming moment:  the National Work Readiness Credential (an outgrowth
of EFF) was included in a brief presentation.  However, it was being touted
to K-12 and chambers by Junior Achievement Worldwide!  No reference to its
adult education roots, its potential in reference to adult learners,
including the many, many parents of the children being left behind.  

 

The growing "wedge" - adult learner populations of parents, out of school
youth, drop outs, immigrants, and minorities - remained nameless and
unacknowledged during the three day summit.  

 

Hopefully the National Commission on Adult Literacy can help us find our
voice!  Best of luck to all of you in your endeavors.  Now, do I need
another cup of coffee, or is Texas representation missing from your
commissioners' list?

 

Barbara Tondre

Texas 

Adult Education and Workforce Development 

 

  _____  

From: programleadership-bounces at nifl.gov
[mailto:programleadership-bounces at nifl.gov] On Behalf Of Gail Spangenberg
Sent: Monday, October 09, 2006 9:33 AM
To: programleadership at nifl.gov; povertyliteracy at nifl.gov;
familyliteracy at nifl.gov
Subject: [ProgramLeadership 106] Launch of National Commission on
AdultLiteracy

 

Friends,

 

I think you will be pleasedby the attached news release, issued jointly
today by Dollar General Corporation and CAAL. This has been in the making
for some months. I hope it willbring a new sense of hope and possibility to
those who toil in the adult education and literacy trenches of service,
planning, and policy development and who appreciatethe findings of the 2003
NAALs. Should you be unable to access the PDF attachment, you can see
essentially the same information at the CAAL website (
<http://www.caalusa.org/> www.caalusa.org).

 

 

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