Literacy
In the News
The
National Commission on Adult Literacy has issued Reach
Higher, America: Overcoming Crisis in the U.S. Workforce,
a report about the adult education system. The report has far-reaching
implications and recommendations. The Coalition commends the members
of the Commission for their tremendous effort and scholarship
that have contributed to this document and the Dollar General
Literacy Foundation for its commitment to furthering adult literacy
in the U.S. and support of the Commission.
Over
the next few weeks, the members of the National Coalition for
Literacy will review and analyze this report so that NCL may issue
a thoughtful response to the recommendations and findings of the
report. Please return to this website for information in the future.
The
Council for Adult and Experiential Learning in partnership with
the National Center for Higher Education Management Systems has
issued a new report, Adult
Learning in Focus: National State by State Data. The
report provides data on adult participation in education and also
identifies gaps in available data. The report discusses the affordability,
support for part-time students, and other factors in adult participation
rates that should help policymakers identify priorities for their
state efforts.
A
recent study found that Immigrants of the past 25 years have been
assimilated in the United States at a faster rate than earlier
immigrants. The
report was discussed in the Washington Post. Visit the Manhattan
Institute web site, to see the full report, Measuring
Immigrant Assimilation in the United States
Adult
Education identified as the missing piece of education reform
as Washington,
DC officials resolve to improve the District's school system.
They want to stop illiteracy at the source, but fail to recognize
the critical role that parents play in a children's educational
development. Literate parents pass on motivation and language
skills to their children.
ABC
News featured a two-part story on illiteracy in the US the last
week of February and provided a wealth of resources on the ABC
News website, including a link to NCL’s Health Literacy
page. See
the full story here
NCL
and Dollar General focus attention on the economic impact of low
literacy in South Carolina at meeting in Spartanburg. The Herald
Journal covered the event, in Teachers:
Adult illiteracy dragging down nation. “We are
in a crisis,” noted Becky Godbey, manager of work force
development for the Greater Greenville Chamber of Commerce, who
led a panel of local business leaders.
From
amednews.com, the newspaper for America’s Physicians, an
article on the Health
Literacy Act of 2007
Visit
the website of the Council for Advancement of Adult Literacy who
today released PATHWAYS & OUTCOMES: TRACKING ESL STUDENT PERFORMANCE,
a longitudinal study of adult ESL services at the City College
of San Francisco (CCSF). The report will help those who plan and
design ESL programs at community college and in other settings
assess and develop effective services. See
item ESL5 of the ESL section of the Publications page
Gaps
in critical home conditions and experiences of young children
mirror achievement gaps that begin early in life and persist through
high school, according to a new report from the Educational Testing
Service. The Family:
America’s Smallest School examines the family and home
experiences that influence children’s learning.
The
National Commission on Adult Literacy issued the report, The
Fiscal Consequences of Adult Educational Attainment, looking
at the fiscal contributions of adults by education level in the
13 largest states. In
Challenges in Assessing for Postsecondary Readiness, researchers
examined assessments currently used to measure adult learning
and determine student placements (e. g. BEST, CASAS, TABE) for
alignment with postsecondary education requirements.
The
National Commission on Adult Literacy released Workplace Education:
Twenty State Perspectives. The report describes workplace education
programs in 20 states, how states measure outcomes, key elements
to success, and more. To view the report, a presentation by Marc
Tucker, president of the National Center for Education and the
Economy, visit
the newly launched website.
According
to the American Medical Association, 90 million Americans struggle
with health literacy, see article
in the Chicago Tribune.
Migration
Policy Institute issues report that finds approximately 5.8
million lawful permanent US residents need about 277 million hours
of English language instruction per year for six years to become
proficient.
Adult
Education in America: A First Look at Results from the Adult Education
Program and Learner Surveys Educational Testing Service
releases comprehensive
report on federally funded adult education programs and the
skills of participants enrolled in those programs.
Forces
Changing our Nation’s Future compares the
performance of American adults and youth on international literacy
assessments, the importance of literacy and numeracy proficiencies
for success in the job market, and the outlook for literacy proficiency
among adults in the U.S. The report was released by the National
Commission on Adult Literacy www.caalusa.org
The
Council for Advancement of Adult Literacy released TORCHLIGHTS
IN ESL: Five Community College Profiles, a supplement
to PASSING THE
TORCH: Strategies for Innovation in Community College ESL.
The report profiles the ESL programs of the five colleges at the
heart of CAAL's study- Bunker Hill Community College, MA, City
College of San Francisco, CA, College of Lake County, IL, Seminole
Community College, FL, and Yakima Community College, WA. The report
is available in PDF at www.caalusa.org.
DARE
TO DREAM: A Collection of Papers from a Resource Group of 102
Adult Education and Literacy Professionals The National
Commission on Adult Literacy released this material which reflects
the ideas, insights, cautions, and recommendations of 102 education
and literacy leaders. The group was challenged to "think
outside the box," of how to expand adult education and literacy
service and to do so to a high standard of quality. Visit the
CAAL website at www.caalusa.org
for the report.
The
Condition of Education 2007
The
National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) released its annual
statistical report on education from early childhood through postsecondary
education. While the report indicates that high school students
are taking more courses, it also notes that three-quarters of
the 2003-04 freshman class of public high schools graduated on
time and that students who drop out tended to take fewer credits
starting in their freshman years. The report is available on the
NCES
website.
According
to Lumina Foundation report, “Our nation is at a
crossroads. With a committed and informed approach, we can help
realize the vast educational potential of America’s adult
learners and thus substantially benefit individuals, families, communities
and the national economy.” To see the report, visit
the Foundation website.
Passing
the Torch: Strategies for Innovation in Community College ESL
Study examines innovative and successful programs. [Council for
the Advancement of Adult Literacy]
State
Education Agency finds that one-third of residents of the District
of Columbia are functionally illiterate. [Washington Post]
The
ESL Logjam:Waiting Times for Adult ESL Classes and the Impact on
English Learners
Adult ESOL students face long lines and crowded classrooms per recent
study.
[National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed (NALEO) Educational
Fund]
Touch
Choices, Tough Times
Commission recommends drastic changes in education system for US
to remain viable economic and political world leader in report.
[The New Commission on the Skills of the American Workforce from
the National Center on Education and The Economy]
America’s
Perfect Storm: Three Forces Changing Our Nation’s Future.
Report from the Education Testing Service assesses impact of three
sociological and economic forces that are changing our nation’s
future.
[Education Testing Service]
Recommendations
concerning the reauthorization of the No Child Left Behind Act
focus on improving accountability and standards and making sure
teachers and administrators are effective.
[Commission on No Child Left Behind]