Margaret,
Even though nobody is tracking unified data, it might be beneficial if I could point to some gains that have been made in other communities when there is sustained funding support, at least until the Coalition has an opportunity to develop the kind of portfolio that qualifies it for most national and international funding programs.  For example, has any Coalition seen a measurable drop in crime, unemployment, etc. that might be attributed to its success (impact), the support of the community (funding/ROI) and the impact of providers that it is supporting? 

Our vision of literacy is 100% (as you know we are at aout 35% population below basic skill level.)  I was approaching a funder to renew their funding commitment for another year last week and he asked me how much money it would take to get to 100% literacy.  I'm new to this, but even so that seems like a complex question considering all the types of literacy, etc.  He was primarily talking about bringing those with below basic skills to basic. 

Anybody know?  

-----Original Message-----
From: specialtopics-bounces at nifl.gov [mailto:specialtopics-bounces at nifl.gov] On Behalf Of doughtyhrc at aol.com
Sent: Wednesday, June 27, 2007 5:07 PM
To: specialtopics at nifl.gov
Subject: [SpecialTopics 389] Re: Additional questions to consider

Hi All - in response to the various comments related to evaluating community literacy impact this is a challenging issue.  From my work with coalitions it is clear that it is easy to track and measure discreet items:
Marketing and Outreach
Funding and ROI
Learner gain by fundibg stream
Training and PD
Advocacy
However, the long term impact related to the data collected is difficult to asses.  Most coalitions try to measure both organizational progress as well as progress of member programs.  But we cannot at this point measure apples and apples across any community wide effort.  Indeed we end up with apples, bananas, plums, grapes and pomegranites!   There are two pilots that have been funded to begin to address this issue - in Cleveland and in Baton Rouge but they are in the very early stages.  

I was invited to present with Dr. Ray Hart, to the NIFL board this month to share some ideas about community literacy and the opportunties for central tracking systems.  I'd be very pleased to hear any ideas you may all have.  One project that I worked on provided a stipend to all the commuity partners to encourage them to share data.  Are there other good ideas you may have?

Margaret
Sent from my BlackBerry wireless handheld.

-----Original Message-----
From: DSKostrub at aol.com

Date: Wed, 27 Jun 2007 08:44:02
To:specialtopics at nifl.gov
Subject: [SpecialTopics 374] Re: Additional questions to consider


In a message dated 6/25/2007 12:06:55 PM Eastern Standard Time, margeryfreeman at yahoo.com writes:
In response to Margery's question, we are making an attempt in this direction during the coming year by forming:
 
A Haitian Advisory Panel
Hispanic Advisory Panel
African-American Advisory Panel
Faith-Based Advisory Panel
 
These will meet at least twice a year.  We will share with these Panels what we and the providers are currently doing and then mainly listen to them to understand what they see as the real needs, in which areas, best ways to meet those needs, etc.  We want them to direct our efforts.
 
We have an Adult Learner Leadership Board with learners nominated from about 28 literacy programs.  This board meets several times during the year.  The learners develop further leadership skills and they provide a valuable focus group to let us(and providers) understand how to better serve them.
 
Darlene Kostrub
www.pbcliteracy.org <http://www.pbcliteracy.org> 

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