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ERIC Number: EJ1098803
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2016
Pages: 3
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-2169-0480
EISSN: N/A
New and Effective Approaches to Adult Basic Skills Advocacy
Rosen, David J.
Journal of Research and Practice for Adult Literacy, Secondary, and Basic Education, v5 n1 p61-63 Spr 2016
US public adult basic skills education, as adult education researcher Thomas Sticht has often pointed out, is on the margins of public education. By many measures, in the past decade it has experienced significant further decline. In the last decade and a half, according to Sticht's (2015) analysis, "enrollments in the Adult Education and Literacy System (AELS) have dropped from some 4.3 million in 1999 to under 1.6 million in program year 2013-14, the last year with data available." Federal funding for adult basic skills education, which includes English language learning, has at best stagnated; in constant dollars, it has declined. Adult basic education public policy advocates need to continue and expand their local, legislator-by legislator community, state, and national organizing efforts. Times have changed and educators also need to do some things differently: (1) A new major media campaign is needed; and (2) Strong public policy advocacy for basic skills from our adult literacy stakeholding partners are needed. (3) It is necessary to make clear that adult basic skills programs are effective. (4) There is a need to clarify why adult literacy and basic skills are essential to our partner organizations' success. (5) New blood is needed in basic skills advocacy. The author emphasizes how important it is to continue to educate public policy makers about the importance of increasing public support for for adult basic skills. The author concludes by reminding readers that legislators have the power to strengthen adult literacy. Important strategies to reach legislators are provided.
Commission on Adult Basic Education. PO Box 620, Syracuse, NY 13206. Tel: 888-442-6223; e-mail: journal@coabe.org; Web site: http://www.coabe.org
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Descriptive
Education Level: Adult Basic Education; Adult Education; Elementary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A