Legislative Information

Dear COABE Members,

We have 13 of the 25 co-sponsors needed to make National Adult Education and Family Literacy Week 2010 a reality. Congress was on recess last week, so now is a good time to follow up with your House Member and/or encourage others in your area to do so. Let's keep this issue at the top of the stack for our House Members.

We're maintaining an updated list of co-sponsors on the NCL Advocacy Blog:
http://blog.ncladvocacy.org/2010/06/act_now_aefl_week_2010/

Is your House Member on the list?

If not, please contact your House Member today. To email your House Member or to find his or her contact information, visit TESOL's Capwiz system; they have made it easy for advocates to participate:

http://capwiz.com/tesol/issues/alert/?alertid=15207081

Thanks in advance for helping to keep the issue hot. It's your work here that is going to make a big difference. But don't delay, place your call today!

Sincerely,

Jackie

Jackie Taylor
COABE Public Policy Chair
NCL Public Policy Committee Co-Chair
Jackie@jataylor.net

Dear COABE Members:

Thank you for your calls to House Members requesting that they co-sponsor H. Res. 1472, dedicating National Adult Education and Family Literacy Week 2010. Please see below for an updated list of those who have signed so far. If your House Member is not listed below, please contact him or her requesting that they co-sponsor H.Res. 1472 today.

Thanks for the difference you make, Jackie

Jackie Taylor
COABE Public Policy Chair
NCL Public Policy Co-Chair
jackie@jataylor.net

Dear Adult Literacy Advocates:

Thanks to all who have requested that their House Member co-sponsor H. Res. 1472. So far, we have 9 of the 25 co-sponsors needed to dedicate National Adult Education and Family Literacy Week for the week of September 13, 2010. Good work!

As you may know, we are under time constraints as the House is scheduled to go on recess July 31 - September 12. If we do not get the needed number of co-sponsors in time for the House to approve the resolution this month, then we will have to move the dedication date-which may not ensure enough time for local programs to prepare celebration activities. So the ball remains in our court.

Action

Please follow up with your House Member today to confirm whether he or she will co-sponsor H.Res. 1472. The staff person may ask you for a copy of the Dear Colleague letter and/or the resolution. Here they are:

Dear Colleague Letter
H. Res.1472
List of co-sponsors thus far:

Rep Sestak, Joe [D - PA] - (to be added)
Rep Kildee, Dale [D - MI] - (to be added)
Rep Holmes Norton, Eleanor [D - DC] - (to be added)
Rep Ackerman, Gary L. [D-NY] - 7/1/2010
Rep Grijalva, Raul M. [D-AZ] - 6/24/2010 *
Rep Hinojosa, Ruben [D-TX] - 6/24/2010 *
Rep Honda, Michael M. [D-CA] - 6/24/2010 *
Rep Sarbanes, John P. [D-MD] - 6/24/2010 *
Rep Yarmuth, John A. [D-KY] - 6/24/2010 *
* (Original co-sponsors)

TESOL has an alert in their CapWiz system for this effort; take advantage of this quick and easy way to reach your House Member by clicking here. Update us on your progress; comment on the NCL Advocacy Blog or email Jackie Taylor (jackie@jataylor.net).

Last year, the House made a one-time dedication for National Adult Education and Family Literacy Week. This was a highly successful effort in raising awareness nationwide of the importance of adult education and family literacy.

Let's build on our successes this year, make that House Call today!

Thanks for all you do,

Jackie Taylor

Dear COABE Member,
Are you concerned about access to high quality professional development in our field? Or about improving practitioner working conditions?

Join the Association of Adult Literacy Professional Developers (AALPD) and the Commission on Adult Basic Education (COABE) in telling Congress what matters for professional development and professional quality during WIA reauthorization.

AALPD and COABE are co-sponsoring an organizational sign on letter in support of professional development and improving the quality of our profession. We expect that many professional organizations will want to add their names to the letter. Please ask your organization to sign on to this letter in support. Visit this link where you will find a copy of the letter; enter and submit the requested information to add your organization's signature:

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/7865LHJ

If you are not the individual who can sign for your organization, please send this letter to the individual(s) who can:

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/7865LHJ

Here is a printable version of the sign on letter for discussion purposes:

http://aalpd.org/StateLeadershipLetterFINAL.pdf

But hurry! Deadline to sign: June 23, 2010.

The letter will then go to key legislators working on reauthorization of the Workforce Investment Act.

Contact Jackie Taylor (jackie@jataylor.net), COABE Policy Chair, with questions.

Thanks for all you do,

AALPD Advocacy Committee
COABE Legislative Committee

COABE requests that adult literacy advocates join the National Council of State Directors of Adult Education (NCSDAE) in taking this immediate action:

Action: Please call, email, or fax your US Representative and your two Senators (3 contacts per person total) with this message:

“Please add $160 million to adult education funding to provide services to potential students placed on waiting list for services.”

Talk about the need and demand for services in your area. Share the 2009-2010 NCSDAE Adult Student Waiting List Survey and discuss the waiting list numbers in your program or state. (http://www.ncladvocacy.org/2010AdultEducationWaitingListReport.pdf)

Adult learners in federally-funded programs could write thank you letters, stating their adult learning goals and why they are enrolled in adult education. If adult learners include an “Ask” it should be one that they choose, not one dictated by the program.

Goal: 400 contacts per Congressional District; 5,000 per state Senator, with smaller state goals of 2,000 contacts per Senator.

When: Now.

Deadline: May 7, 2010

Feedback: Local or state contacts please report back results at:

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/89HRRSH

Targets:

The budget development process has already started in the House so contacts are needed immediately to all Members of the House.

Special attention should be given to the following Members of the House Appropriations Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies Sub-Committee, by advocates in these Members’ districts:

Democrats: Chair David Obey-WI, Nita Lowey-NY, Rosa DeLauro-CT, Jesse Jackson Jr-Ill, Patrick Kennedy-RI, Lucille Roybal-Allard-CA, Barbara Lee-CA, Michael Honda-CA, Betty McCollum-MN, Tim Ryan-OH and James Moran-VA

Republicans: Ranking Member: Todd Tiahrt-KS, Dennis Rehberg-MT, Rodney Alexander-LA, Jo Bonner-AL, Tom Cole-OK

Contacts are needed with all Members of the Senate but of particular importance are the Members of the Senate Appropriations Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Services Sub-Committee:

Democrats: Chair Tom Harkin-IA, Daniel Inouye-HI, Herbert Kohl-WI, Patty Murray-WA, Mary Landrieu-LA, Dick Durbin-IL, Jack Reed-RI, Mark Pryor-AK, Arlen Specter-PA

Republicans: Ranking Member: Thad Cochran-MS, Judd Gregg-NH, Kay Bailey Hutchison-TX, Richard Shelby-AL, Lamar Alexander-TN

Why:
Two major issues face adult education programs:

A) Sixteen states will see a reduction in funding over the 2010 appropriations:

Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Nevada, New York, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, West Virginia, plus the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.

B) Waiting lists for services have increased this program year.

The additional $160 million would give all states an increase and provide educational services to most of those people placed on the waiting lists during this program year.

For additional information:

•Visit http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/89HRRSH

COABE Members, please take this immediate action today! Action: Call, email, or fax your two Senators with this message:

"Please add $160 million to adult education funding to provide services to
potential students placed on waiting lists for services."

Talk about the need and demand for services in your area. Share the
2009-2010 NCSDAE Adult Student Waiting List Survey (
http://www.ncladvocacy.org/2010AdultEducationWaitingListReport.pdf) and
discuss the waiting list numbers in your program or state. Make the case as
to why your program needs additional funding.

Goal: 500 contacts per Senator; 200 contacts per Senator in smaller states.

When: Now.

Deadline: This Friday (!) April 16.

Contact Information: Locate your Senators' contact information using
ProLiteracy
Feedback: Local or state contacts please report back results here:
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/89HRRSH .

Why: The House and Senate Subcommittees on Appropriations have been
accepting written testimonies from organizations this week. Senators in
particular, need to send their funding requests to the Appropriations Chairs
by this Friday, April 16. To raise the priority of adult education and
family literacy, COABE requests that you contact your US Senators asking
them to support an increase in funding for adult education programs provided
by WIA Title II by adding $160 million to the President's proposed budget
request. Now is a unique opportunity to influence the appropriations
process!

This is also in follow up to our request that COABE Members prepare local
networks to participate in adult literacy advocacy campaigns this spring; we
are joining the National Coalition for Literacy, the state directors, and
other national organizations in this effort. It is Part I of a multi-part
grassroots campaign to leverage support from Congress.

Please call your Senators this week.

Thank you.

Jackie Taylor
COABE Policy Chair
Jackie@jataylor.net

Dear COABE,
As you have time this Holiday season, please respond to the Action Alert
Request below. COABE is a member of the National Coalition for Literacy. We
stand behind this effort calling for a groundswell of support in telling
Congress what changes in adult education you want most.

Share your views with Congress today; then tell us about it at:
;
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/ChangeWIA

Happy Holidays!

Jackie Taylor, COABE Policy Chair, jackie@jataylor.net

............................................................................
.........................................

Urge Congress to Reauthorize WIA NOW!

Weigh in: What Changes in Adult Education Do You Want Most?

Deadline: January 15, 2009
; http://blog.ncladvocacy.org

The Workforce Investment Act, Title II-the legislation that makes federally
funded adult education programs possible-hasn't changed since it was first
authorized in 1998. Thanks to your advocacy efforts, Congress is now working
to change it. Now it is time to tell Congress what changes you want to see
most in adult education programs.

Remember, this is reauthorization, not appropriations. We will ask you to
weigh in on Appropriations in February, after the President's proposed FY
2011 Budget is released.

So what can we change? Below are talking points adapted from the National
Coalition for Literacy's Top WIA Reauthorization Priorities. Please use
them as you see fit to develop your message to Congress.

Actions:
1. Use the talking points below to develop your message, or identify
your own WIA Reauthorization priorities.
2. Call, email, or fax your US Senators and Representative today.
3. Give them this message:

"As you work to reauthorize WIA Title II now, I would like the new law to
include provisions that: ___[insert talking point(s)]___."

Then talk about your experience with respect to the issue(s) you raise. Keep
the letter to one page or less.

How:
To email the Senate Authorizing Committee, visit:
; http://help.senate.gov/About.html
Click on "Email the Committee" at the top right.
Contact Information:
Locate your US legislators' contact information using ProLiteracy's (
;
;
http://capwiz.com/proliteracy/dbq/officials/) or TESOL's (
;
;
http://capwiz.com/tesol/dbq/officials) interactive map.

Tell us you made your contact by visiting:
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/ChangeWIA

Help spread the word!
Email ; Twitter
9%2F11%2Fncadvocacysymposium%2F> Facebook
; Blog ;
RSS
licious.com%2Fsave%3Furl%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252Fblog.ncladvocacy.org%252F2009%
252F11%252Fncadvocacysymposium%252F%26title%3DNCL%2520Dollar%2520General%252
0Advocacy%2520Symposium%2520in%2520NC%26notes%3D%26tags%3D%26noui%3Dno%26sha
re%3Dyes%26jump%3Dyes%26time%3D1261167773%26recipients%3D%26partner%3Da>
delicious

Talking Points
Please adopt these talking points as you see fit for your message to
Congress, and speak from your own experience about the issue. You may find
that not all of these are equally important to you and your program.

A reauthorized WIA should include provisions that:
* Strengthen the adult education workforce. Increase the amount of
state leadership funds from 12.5% to a minimum of 15% to improve teacher
quality by providing more professional development, improving working
conditions, professionalizing the workforce, and researching what
practitioners need to be effective.

* Strengthen provisions for career pathways. Align the activities of
Title I and Title II for the benefit of adult education students,
specifically by: establishing goals for co-enrollment; establishing shared
accountabilities for serving adult education students; explicitly allowing
career pathways, integrated education/training and dual and concurrent
enrollment; and creating a new funding stream to support a career pathways
leadership grant program.

* Increase research in adult education and professional development.

* Create a new, re-envisioned national entity to fill the void left by
the elimination of the National Institute for Literacy. Establish an
independent National Center for Adult Education, Literacy and Workforce
Skills to provide the resources necessary to improve practice and provide
high quality services to the adult education community and those they
serve.

* Fund and improve the use of technology for teaching and learning
through innovation grants and pilot projects.

* Authorize annual appropriations for adult education of $1 billion or
more.

* Authorize and codify the English Literacy and Civics part of Title
II.

* Strengthen the direct and equitable provisions of the law to ensure
that all local eligible providers[ii][ii] have access to apply and compete
for grants and contracts.

* Recognize creative and flexible ways to provide students with high
quality learning opportunities of sufficient duration and intensity to make
progress toward their goals, including blended learning, one-to-one
tutoring, and self-study.

* Eliminate the current incentive grant program and allow those funds
to be added to the formula grants for states. Many states do not benefit
from incentive grant funds even if they are returned to the state-the funds
are sent to partner agencies.

* Create a separate funding stream in Title I for the operation of the
one-stop delivery system.

* Fund a review of, and update, the National Reporting System, to
ensure that required outcomes measures are appropriate for all levels of
adult education students.

* Use a consistent definition of adult education and allowable local
adult education activities in Title I and Title II.[iii][iii]

To learn more about WIA Reauthorization, visit:
;
http://www.ncladvocacy.org/act_wiareauthor.html .

[iv][i] Please see
;
http://www.ncladvocacy.org/NationalCenterPolicyPrinciples_FINAL.pdf and
;
http://www.ncladvocacy.org/Center_FINAL.pdf

[v][ii] The 1998 Workforce Investment Act, Title II, defines "eligible
providers" in Section 203, Definitions, as: a local educational agency; a
community-based organization; a volunteer literacy organization; an
institution of higher education; a public or private nonprofit agency; a
library; a public housing authority; a nonprofit institution that... has the
ability to provide literacy services to adults and families; and a
consortium of the agencies, organizations, institutions, libraries, or
authorities described in [the foregoing].

[vi][iii] Please see
;
http://www.national-coalition-literacy.org/analysis.html, WIA Side-by-side
Analysis, Section 203, Definitions, Column 2, Coalition Proposal.

Dear COABE Members,

Today marks the beginning of an exciting three-week online discussion of Reauthorizing the Workforce Investment Act: What is a priority for you?

Join Members of the National Coalition for Literacy July 19 - August 6, 2010 at the NCL Advocacy Blog http://blog.ncladvocacy.org. Each day, a new blog article, written by a guest NCL blogger, will be featured on the home page about a Coalition reauthorization priority and why it is important. The schedule of featured articles is below.

To participate: Visit the NCL Advocacy Blog daily. Post comments and questions; tell us why this priority is important to you or discuss the issues with guest bloggers. Subscribe to the discussion thread if you wish to receive replies to comments via email. Guest blog posts from previous days will be archived in the category on the right, titled Reauthorizing the Workforce Investment Act and will remain available for comment. Participate in the WIA Poll located in the right hand navigation. Vote for the top three items that are priorities for you!

During National Adult Education and Family Literacy Week, NCL will share your feedback with legislative staffs over WIA reauthorization.

Follow @NCLAdvocacy and #WIA on Twitter for updates and adult literacy facts.

Guest Bloggers

Jeff Carter, Director of Policy and Government Affairs, ProLiteracy
Amy Ellen Duke-Benfield, Senior Policy Analyst, Center for Law and Social Policy
Art Ellison, Public Policy Chair, National Council of State Directors of Adult Education
Peggy McGuire, Senior Research Associate and Training Specialist, UT Center for Literacy Studies
Andy Nash, Staff Development Specialist, New England Literacy Resource Center / World Education
John Segota, Director of Advocacy and Professional Relations, Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages
Heidi Silver-Pacuilla, Senior Research Analyst, American Institutes for Research

Discussion Resources

NCL Priorities for WIA Reauthorization: http://www.ncladvocacy.org/WIAPriorities_FINAL.pdf

Related Resources
National Center for Adult Education, Literacy, and Workforce Skills Policy Principles: http://www.ncladvocacy.org/NationalCenterPolicyPrinciples_FINAL.pdf

National Center for Adult Education, Literacy, and Workforce Skills Recommendations: http://www.ncladvocacy.org/Center_FINAL.pdf

Professional Quality Policy Principles:
http://www.national-coalition-literacy.org/ProfessionalQualityPrinciples_FINAL.pdf

Response to the National Education Technology Plan, an Adult Education Perspective: http://www.national-coalition-literacy.org/AdultEdResponsetoNETP_FINAL.pdf

NRS Reform Recommendations Coming Soon!

The National Coalition for Literacy (www.national-coalition-literacy.org) is a coalition of 24 national organizations that impacts legislation and public policy on adult education, family literacy, and English language acquisition for adults. Through consensus, Coalition members unite to form NCL positions on legislative issues, creating a national, unified voice in advocating for adult education and literacy.

See you online!

Jackie Taylor
COABE Public Policy Chair
NCL Public Policy Committee Co-Chair
jackie@jataylor.net

• Download “Schedule of Featured Articles”
• Download “Schedule of Featured Articles”
• Download “Schedule of Featured Articles”
• Download “Schedule of Featured Articles”

Dear COABE Members,
I'm happy to share with you another opportunity to participate in the Public
Policy Strand at Conference, even if you cannot attend in person. Please see
below.

I look forward to seeing many of you soon,

Jackie Taylor, COABE Policy Chair

Dear Colleagues,

Are you going to the COABE/ ProLiteracy Conference? Plan to add your
perspective to the National Coalition for Literacy's (NCL) Advocacy Blog:
http://blog.ncladvocacy.org/2010/03/coabe_proliteracy2010/

Share what you learn on public policy and advocacy so other adult literacy
advocates can benefit from your ideas. Advocacy is a team effort! Tell your
colleagues who are staying home to bookmark this space and watch for
updates.

If you are not going to Conference, this Blog offers a way to participate.
Share your comments/questions for any of the sessions listed at the link
above. Check back for session handouts you can download.

All Bloggers will qualify for gift certificate giveaways from New Readers
Press. Stay tuned for details.

The National Coalition for Literacy, in cooperation with COABE and
ProLiteracy, brings you the public policy sessions hosted at the first ever
COABE / ProLiteracy National Conference.

Some reflection prompts to get you started:

* What did you find most interesting, persuasive, or controversial?

* Did what you learn align with what you thought before?

* What beliefs were reinforced, changed, or broadened as a result of
the public policy or advocacy session(s) you attended?

* What's one idea you plan to use when you return home?

To Post Comments: See the list of sessions here:

http://blog.ncladvocacy.org/2010/03/coabe_proliteracy2010/

Click the title of the session you attended or wish to discuss. A new blog
article will appear, specific to that session. Then enter your reflections
in the Comment Box and click Comment.

Tweet Up at Conference! Meet your online colleagues in person!

Watch our Twitter feed to learn the meet up location and time.

Dear COABE Members,
Below are two preconference opportunities that may interest you. If you sign
up for either or both sessions, we can strategize together for ways to
strengthen COABE's public policy advocacy efforts.

COABE President Andy Tyskiewicz and other national advocates will join us
for the morning preconference on "Federal Legislative Update." In the
afternoon session, "Building the Grassroots Advocacy Base," you will hear
from advocates who have initiated successful local and state advocacy
campaigns. Georgians have begun a statewide advocacy network called GALA;
hear how they organized and of their successful local activities to elevate
adult literacy with policymakers. Hear what Jon Engel has to say about
Texans' successful strategies for increasing Texas state funding by $20
million dollars in 2009. Hear also from Art Ellison, who will share how they
increased NH state funding by 75% in 2009.

At both sessions you will leave with many practical tools, ideas, and plans
you can implement when you return.

To add a preconference to your schedule:
http://coabeproliteracy2010.org/index2/

I hope to see you there,

Jackie Taylor
COABE Policy Chair
Jackie@jataylor.net

Public Policy Advocacy PreConference Opportunities!

COABE/ProLiteracy/IACEA Joint Conference

The National Coalition for Literacy invites you to participate in two
half-day preconference sessions on state and federal level advocacy, March
15, 2010.

Federal Legislative Update

8:30 - 11:30 AM

Popularly known as the "Policy Panel" that has drawn over 400 participants
each conference, this preconference provides you an exclusive opportunity to
interact with panelists for an in-depth look at the federal legislative
issues. National adult education leaders will update you on federal
legislative developments in adult education and related areas. Then join
roundtable discussions led by panelists, examine how policy affects
practice, and target policy change in areas that concern you most. Create a
plan; bring it home.

Participants will:
* Discuss what's happening in Washington that affects you locally
* Inform national adult education advocates about local concerns
* Identify what you can do to advance the field through public policy
advocacy

Panelists:
* Art Ellison, NH State Director; Public Policy Committee Chair,
National Council of State Directors of Adult Education (NCSDAE)
* David Harvey, President and CEO, ProLiteracy
* Jeff Carter, Policy and Government Affairs Director, ProLiteracy
* Andy Tyskiewicz, President, COABE
* Tony Peyton, Senior Director of Policy and Government Relations,
National Center for Family Literacy (NCFL)


Pathways and Advocacy: Building the Grassroots Base

12:30 - 3:30 PM
The session features practical, hands-on strategies for planning and
implementing a successful grassroots advocacy program. Participants will
discuss strategies and tactics and create action plans that integrate
advocacy with community and business partnerships. Built on the successes
from the National Coalition for Literacy grassroots advocacy symposia, with
generous support from the Dollar General Literacy Foundation, you will hear
from local and state level advocates on how they have implemented successful
advocacy campaigns.

Participants will:
* Identify grassroots advocacy priority areas
* Design a local advocacy action plan to take back home
* Access strategies, tactics, resources, and tools needed to implement
the plan

Presenters: Marsha L. Tait and Jackie Taylor
Guest Presenters:
* Daphne Greenberg, Associate Professor, Georgia State University;
Georgia Adult Literacy Advocates (GALA) Board Member
* Jon Engel, Past Chair, Literacy Coalition of Central Texas, Austin,
TX; Director, Community Action Adult Education Program, San Marcos, TX
* Brenda Brown, Vice President, Adult Education, Middle Georgia
Technical College
* Dorothy Ferguson, Division Chair, Adult Education, Middle Georgia
Technical College
* Art Ellison, Public Policy Committee Chair, NCSDAE

Dear COABE Members,
I thought you would be interested in this discussion opportunity with
the Assistant Secretary of Vocational and Adult Education, Brenda
Dann-Messier. Please join the discussions and share your successes and
challenges in adult education, as well as your hopes for WIA
Reauthorization.



Jackie Taylor

COABE Policy Chair

jackie@jataylor.net

WIA Community Conversations

-- A guest discussion hosted on all NIFL Lists

January 11-15, 2010



What are the real issues impacting adult learners, practitioners, and
programs in adult education today? Brenda Dann-Messier, the Assistant
Secretary of the Office of Vocational and Adult Education, invites you to
participate in a conversation (
http://www.nifl.gov/lincs/discussions/10WIA) January 11-15, 2010 about
reauthorization of the Workforce Investment Act (WIA). The Obama
Administration is preparing for WIA reauthorization and has asked the
National Institute for Literacy's Discussion Lists to engage in a candid and
constructive discourse about what the field's successes and needs are in
providing adult education programs and services. The Administration is
particularly interested in hearing feedback from discussants around 2-3
questions specific to each discussion list topic:




http://www.nifl.gov/lincs/discussions/10WIAQ



The WIA Community Conversations will occur simultaneously across all of the
Institute's lists during the week of January 11th within the specific topic
and purpose of each list.



To participate (free),
discussion list of your choice by visiting:
http://www.nifl.gov/lincs/discussions/subscribe_all.html



After subscribing, you will receive a confirmation email containing a link
to validate your subscription.



For more information about our Guest, visit:
http://www.nifl.gov/news/Messier10-08-09



How will this work?

On January 11, the Assistant Secretary will open the discussion on each
discussion list. Subscribers are invited to post their feedback at any time
over the five days to the questions posed within the discussion list topic.
Each discussion list moderator will compile a list of key themes and the
full discussion transcripts. Moderators will then present these to the
Assistant Secretary for consideration as the Administration finalizes its
position on WIA reauthorization. As in all of the
zation/%20> WIA Community Conversations being held across the United States,
the Assistant Secretary is not responding to participants' comments but
rather listening and collecting feedback to assist in formulating and
refining the Department of Education's policy positions.
the conversations January 11-15, 2009.



Preparation

Imagine you are in a room with colleagues, preparing to give spoken
testimony in response to specific questions ( http://www.nifl.gov/lincs/discussions/10WIAQ). Your response is grounded in
your experience participating in or providing adult education services. The
Assistant Secretary is ready to hear from you and consider your comments
thoughtfully. But since our conversations will occur in a "virtual" setting
rather than face to face, prepare your testimony in writing. Keep it brief,
one page or less. When the discussions begin January 11, post your testimony
to the discussion list of your choice. Reflect upon and respond to others'
testimonies for the purpose of exploring successes and challenges in adult
education.



If your testimony crosses topics (for example, reading and assessment), you
might choose to divide your testimony so that the key reading aspects are
posted to the Reading and Writing List and the key assessment aspects are
posted to the Assessment List. Please do not cross post one testimony to
multiple lists. All testimonies will be added to the final transcription.



Resources

If you are not able to participate in one of the conversations, please feel
free to submit your thoughts to the Assistant Secretary at
WIACONVERSATIONS@ed.gov until January 23,
2010.



Workforce Investment Act Reauthorization, Department of Education WIA
Community Conversations Blog


zation/>
http://www.edgovblogs.org/duncan/2009/11/workforce-investment-act-reauthoriz
ation/
-The above article provides background on the WIA Community Conversations,
and links to transcripts from sessions held-to-date.

Dear COABE Members,

At the regional meetings held during the COABE / ProLiteracy Conference, many of you expressed an interest in learning more about the issues and recommendations for WIA reauthorization. Here is an opportunity to do that: http://blog.ncladvocacy.org/category/reauthorizing-the-workforce-investment-act/

The upcoming discussion on WIA reauthorization takes place on the NCL Advocacy Blog July 19 - August 6. You will have the opportunity to read and respond to blog articles on the issues, written by NCL Members. NCL Members will also be available to respond to comments and questions.

You can "subscribe" to specific blog discussion threads so that you receive comments by email if you wish. There is a live poll on WIA reauthorization already available on the site; see what you think: http://blog.ncladvocacy.org. I hope you'll join us and help spread the word.

Thanks, and looking forward,

Jackie Taylor
COABE Public Policy Chair
Jackie@jataylor.net

Dear COABE Members,

Thank you to all who participated in the April Action Alert to increase funding for adult education! Special thanks to advocates in the following states for letting us know that you made your contacts:

Alaska, Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Deleware, Illinois, Kansas, Maine, Massachusetts, Montana, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee (with the most number of contacts reported), and Virginia.

Your calls came at an important time when Senators were submitting their budget requests to the Appropriations Chair. I also want to thank advocates who have written letters to their federal legislators as a part of the state directors’ Single Point of Contact Network. Your letters and calls make a difference because they raise the priority of adult education in Congress. Your legislator wants and needs to hear from you on adult education issues.

Four Updates:

1. Budget and Appropriations

As you may know, the Congressional Budget Resolution sets the cap on spending – the overall limit on how much money is available for each agency to spend. The Appropriations process then divides the budget into 12 appropriations bills that funds programs and details how that funding will be spent. While the Congressional target date to adopt a budget resolution conference report is April 15, seldom does Congress meet its self-imposed deadline. If a budget resolution is not reached by May 15, appropriators are cleared to officially move forward in absence of a Congressional budget.

According to some sources on the Hill, a final budget is not expected until after Congress returns from their Memorial Day Work Period. Appropriations committees typically start from the previous year’s appropriations amounts as a base in absence of a budget. We are at the beginning of the Appropriations process. Talk to your local grassroots advocacy networks now; ensure that your network can quickly respond to action alerts this summer as Congress works on appropriations.

For more information on the legislative process, visit: http://www.ncladvocacy.org/tklegislative.html

Recent related articles:

Obey Suggests Education, Labor, Health Programs Could Face $3.5B in Cuts
http://thehill.com/business-a-lobbying/97649-obey-suggests-education-labor-health-programs-could-face-35b-in-cuts

House Appropriations Committee Democrats Announce Subcommittee Assignments
http://appropriations.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=616:house-appropriations-committee-democrats-announce-subcommittee-assignments&catid=3:press-releases&Itemid=120&Itemid=4

2. WIA Reauthorization

The Senate is making progress on draft WIA reauthorization legislation. Some sources on the Hill report that we may see a Senate draft sometime around the Memorial Day recess. However, WIA reauthorization appears less likely to happen this Congress, simply because of the few legislative work days left before elections. Should WIA not be reauthorized this year, we hope that the progress made thus far will give us a strong start for the 112th Congress.

We should remain vigilant and continue pushing for WIA reauthorization, educating our legislators and those around us why WIA reauthorization is sorely needed and what we would like to see in new legislation.

3. NIFL and OVAE Updates

The National Institute for Literacy (NIFL) will close permanently on September 30, 2010. The publications warehouse is giving away its resources and will ship them to you free. Visit the publications page at http://www.nifl.gov/publications/publications.html to view the list of publications still available in hard copy. Copies can be ordered (by title) by calling EDPubs at 1(800) 228-8813 (TDD/TTY 1-877-576-7734; e-mailing edpubs@edpubs.ed.gov or faxing 1(703) 605-6794. Order now, waiting until August will be too late.

The NIFL’s Literacy Information and Communications System (LINCS) website will continue to be available after NIFL closes, but it will be accessed by a new URL because NIFL’s LINCS program is moving to the Office of Vocational and Adult Education (OVAE). The new URL will be announced prior to NIFL closing. All current NIFL Discussion Lists will continue next year. NIFL serves a broader audience than OVAE, which primarily provides technical assistance to states. COABE hopes that OVAE will preserve this broad focus of the LINCS program.

4. Administration’s Emphasis for WIA Reauthorization

Many of you participated in the WIA Community Conversations that Assistant Secretary Brenda Dann-Messier hosted around the country and online (http://www.nifl.gov/lincs/discussions/10WIA) via the NIFL Lists. The purpose of the conversations was to hear from the field about its successes and needs while the Administration prepares for WIA reauthorization. The Administration has since identified five areas it will emphasize for WIA reauthorization:

Career Pathways: Reauthorization must advance adult education with respect to career pathways.

Teacher Quality and Professionalization:

Require a minimum of a college degree to teach adult education.
Improve workforce quality by conducting a systematic assessment of teacher skills; include an emphasis in state plans on how states will advance teacher skills.
Focus on teacher competencies and evaluation; judge teacher effectiveness by linking effectiveness to learner outcomes.
Have states implement policies that ensure teachers receive paid professional development release time and paid planning time.

Standards-Based Instruction: Require states to implement standards-based instruction by having a common core of standards in reading, math, and English proficiency, and align them with standards states may have for college and career readiness.

Models for Serving Immigrant Professionals: Create models to serve immigrant professionals, in particular recognizing professional credentials from other countries in health care where there are shortages. Codify EL / Civics and expand its purpose to address workforce shortages in high-demand occupations.

Corrections Education: Change the 10% cap on spending for corrections from a ceiling to a floor, placing emphasis on pre- and post-release services.

Thanks for reading this far!

Feel free to contact me with comments or questions.

Jackie Taylor
COABE Public Policy Chair
National Coalition for Literacy Public Policy Co-Chair
Jackie@jataylor.net

Dear COABE Members,
I have two updates for you this week:

1) Last Friday, I met with Scott Cheney, Staff Director with the Senate HELP
Subcommittee on Employment and Workplace Safety. This is the Senate
subcommittee taking the lead on writing a Senate WIA Reauthorization bill.
He reports that they should have a Senate bill released before March. Once
the bill is available, COABE will review the bill and provide feedback. I
will keep you posted.

2) Last week, I reported on the federal appropriations situation for adult
education. We must ensure that no state receives a decrease in federal
funding from FY10 to FY11.

This is where you come in. Our legislators will need our most recent program
information to help them decide what the actual FY11 appropriations should
be.

What does this mean for you?

COABE will join Members of the National Coalition for Literacy in launching
a letter writing campaign in approximately two weeks. In that campaign, you
will find our message to send to legislators, sample talking points,
resources, and instructions to participate.

Now is the time to re-energize local grassroots networks. Please prepare
them for a letter writing campaign that will launch early March. Invite
federal legislators to visit your program.

Timeline:

February 18 - February 26:
* Organize your Local Network to participate in the letter campaign
for adult education. To see an example of the local network concept, visit:
iptions.pdf>
http://www.ncladvocacy.org/CreatingResponsiveNetworks-Final/SampleRoleDescri
ptions.pdf . For more information on Creating Responsive Networks, visit:
http://www.ncladvocacy.org/tknetworks.html#resources

* Not sure whether you can advocate for adult education at the federal
level? See "What You Can Legally Do":
http://www.ncladvocacy.org/tklegally.html


After February 26, 2010

Stand by for instructions on launching your local letter campaign. The
message, the "Ask" (what we are asking for) and resources from COABE and NCL
will be made available to you then.

Calendars for Visiting Legislators

The House and Senate publish tentative calendars indicating when the federal
legislators will be available to their constituents in their home states.

Senate Calendar, Tentative
dule.htm>
http://www.senate.gov/pagelayout/legislative/one_item_and_teasers/2010_sched
ule.htm

Date

Action

Note


Jan 5
Convene
Pro forma session

Jan 19
Reconvene
Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Jan 18.

Feb 15-19
State Work Period
Presidents' Day

Mar 29-Apr 9
State Work Period




May 31-Jun 4

State Work Period

Memorial Day


Jul 5-Jul 9

State Work Period

Independence Day


Aug 9-Sep 10

State Work Period

Labor Day- Sep 6


TBD

Target Adjournment Date

Dear COABE Members,
I am sending you a Federal Level Update in two parts; this is Part I. Part II will follow later this week.

On February 1, the White House submitted its FY11 budget proposal to Congress which means that, state grants would lose about $16 million from FY10.

The Department of Education indicates that this is an increase for programs of $30 million over FY09.

Art Ellison, Policy Chair of the National Council of State Directors of Adult Education, indicates this is an overall cut of $16 million from FY10 . The actual amounts should vary by state depending on whether the state is one of 19 that received an increase in FY10 to correct for a funding calculation error .

Is this an increase or a decrease for programs in FY11?

The President proposes to maintain $30 million of the $46 million originally added in FY10 that was to correct for the funding calculation error. Thus, if these budget amounts make it into the final appropriations bill, $30 million would be added to the funding formula, to be distributed among the 50 states, DC, and US territories. You may see a slight increase; however, it will be so small you may not notice it on a program level.

In the meantime, those 19 states that received the $46 million in FY10 would see cuts in FY11. Even if we held onto all $46 million that was added to the FY10 appropriations for FY11, it would go into the formula so that all states, not just the 19 that received the FY10 increase, would share the funds. This would still have the effect of lowering state grants of those 19 states for FY11.

In 2009, OVAE switched over to using the American Community Survey (ACS) for determining grants to states . While it is expected that federal grants to states will change yearly based on new survey data, these cuts are due to the change from using US census data to using the ACS. Nineteen additional states saw cuts due to the switch. According to Ellison, since OVAE cannot cut a state more than 10% in one fiscal year, states that were to lose more than 10% due to the switch will continue to see cuts this year. For example, MN is to lose 16% overall due to the switch to ACS; 10% was taken from 2009, another 6% will be taken from their 2010 appropriations. Thank you to Art Ellison for this information; we should know more soon, when OVAE releases estimated amounts for FY10 state grants.

Even Start was also zeroed out of the proposed budget and included in a new block grant as a part of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act reauthorization proposal. Even Start’s fate is unknown at this time.

Why does the President propose to increase National Leadership Activities funds?

The request for National Leadership Activities includes a $30 million increase to support a Workforce Innovation Fund. This Fund, if included in the final appropriation, is to be a collaborative effort between the Departments of Education and Labor to award competitive grants that encourage program innovations and improve outcomes for those who benefit from the Workforce Investment Act.

What’s important as we go forward?

This is where you come in. The President’s proposal is only the beginning of a year long process to determine funding levels for FY11. We must ensure that no state receives a decrease in federal funding from FY10 to FY11. Especially during a year when we may see WIA reauthorized, we will need additional funds to better serve the need and demand, while also aligning with the President’s Jobs and Community College initiatives.

Questions or Reactions to the Budget?

COABE is a member of the National Coalition for Literacy (NCL). The NCL has an Advocacy Blog where advocates can pose questions and get answers from NCL Members.

Post your reactions to the President’s proposed budget, or your questions, to the NCL Advocacy Blog. See COABE President Andy Tyskiewicz’s initial response there and add your own: http://blog.ncladvocacy.org/2010/02/reactionstofy2011proposedbudget/

More information will be posted soon in the Part II Federal Level Update.

Sincerely,

Jackie

Jackie Taylor
COABE Policy Chair
jackie@jataylor.net

Dear COABE,
Thank you to everyone for your outstanding advocacy efforts this year to increase adult education funding and to save Even Start. The House and Senate have agreed on a final appropriations bill, which includes a $72 million increase for adult education (breakdown is below). This largely goes to correct a funding calculation error in the funding formula. It also includes level funding for Even Start ($66.454 million).

The full House voted and passed the appropriations bill yesterday (the Consolidated Appropriations Act 2010, a 'minibus' of which adult education is a part). The Senate is expected to vote before December 18, when the Continuing Resolution expires. Then it goes to the White House for the President to sign.

Also, please keep your eye out next week for an alert with respect to reauthorizing the Workforce Investment Act - the legislation that makes our federally-funded adult education programs possible.

Thanks again for your advocacy efforts - we can and do make a difference every day.

Happy Holiday...Jackie


Jackie Taylor

COABE Public Policy Chair
NCL Public Policy Co-Chair

From Art Ellison, Coordinator of the Single Point of Contact Network:

The final budget figures are good news for adult education. Even Start will be level funded at $66 million and adult education will receive a $72 million increase. The increase in adult education funding is distributed as follows: $46 million to those states that lost funding from 2003-2008 due to an administrative error in the funding formula. The $46 million will go in July to the following states:

Alabama $2,639,984 Arizona $829,214 Arkansas $1,344,687 California $4,699,085 Delaware $79,866

Florida $6,073,066 Georgia $1,967,783 Kentucky $2,384,222 Louisiana $932,844 Mississippi $1,407,081

Nevada $676,496 New York $4,010,804 North Carolina $4,580,842 Rhode Island $370,557

South Carolina $1,867,302 Tennessee $3,212,112 Texas $2,341,220 West Virginia $1,130,606

District of Columbia $299,654

The remaining $26 million will be distributed to all of the states according to the new ACS formula that the Office of Adult and Vocational Education is now using.