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Spring 2009
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Volume 33, No. 1
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PAACE is much more than a good conference
by Diane C. Inverso, Mayor's Commission on Literacy, PAACE President
The 2009 PAACE Midwinter Conference on Adult Education may be a pleasant distant memory for all who participated. This is not true for the PAACE Board members. At our March meeting the Board already started the process of reflecting on the conference with the intention of planning for the future. Many Board members shared the comments and ideas they gathered from the PAACE membership and conference attendees during and after the conference. Comments on conference evaluation forms look good and are full of many ideas on how to make a better conference next year.
The 2009 PAACE Midwinter Conference featured many excellent sessions and roundtable discussions. Presenters had the option to submit their handouts electronically for posting to the website. If you are looking for a conference session handout please go to PAACE’s website for the handouts and presentations submitted to date.
The Midwinter Conference met many people’s expectations and many people felt that they could recommend this conference to others. Great! Planning for a conference requires a fine eye to details but more importantly determining, planning and meeting the needs of the attendees. This conference acts as a meeting and learning place for all statewide practitioners. As educators and as adult learners we are responsible for our own professional growth and learning. If you would like to work on the 2010 Midwinter Conference planning committee, contact Lori Keefer, PAACE First Vice-President, at lkeefer@gplc.org. I definitely want to encourage you to attend next year’s PAACE Midwinter Conference in February 2010. Plan to be there!
PAACE’s work includes more than planning a good conference. As we move forward for this year, the Program Division Directors have begun to set goals with division members and are looking at how that aligns with PAACE’s Strategic Plan. In the PAACE strategic plan the goals are to:
- Increase adult education advocacy efforts and visibility at the state and national levels.
- Expand membership base and increase member participation in the organization.
- Strengthen the effectiveness of the board of directors.
- Strengthen PAACE’s financial position to assure resources are available to meet initiatives.
- Identify and provide quality professional development opportunities in adult education.
To learn about the objectives for each of these goals go to PAACE website strategic plan page.
In a final note, I want to thank everyone who helped make this conference a success. I want to especially thank Tana Reiff, PAACE’s new Past President, for her work not just on the conference but her leadership and guidance from her past year as PAACE President. She has moved the organization through some interesting times this past year. Through her direction I am sure PAACE will continue to show leadership in the field of adult education. I also want to thank Destiny Long, former Communications Committee Chair, for her hard work on the Board. She was the “behind the scenes” person who made sure our website was updated and the newsletter was completed. Both Tana and Destiny had the support of their colleagues at TIU11.
We also have new members to welcome to the PAACE Board. The new Communications Chair will be Colleen Duran, Greater Pittsburgh Literacy Council, and Henry Wardrop, Lincoln IU 12, who will step into the role as 2nd Vice President. Mary Mingle, Central IU 10, is now the Central Region Representative. I also want to welcome back to the Board but in a new capacity a former PAACE President, Bob McNeill from Delaware County College, who will chair the Constitution, Bylaws and Resolutions Committee.
Until I became active in this association I never fully understood all of the workings of PAACE. As I said, PAACE is more than a good conference. I am hoping that this year will be a year of continued growth for PAACE and I am looking forward to the support of the members to make that happen!
Join PAACE and advocate for funding to support educational opportunities for all Pennsylvania adults
by JoAnn Weinberger, Center for Literacy, PAACE Legislative Committee Chair
Springtime is a particularly active season for advocacy. On both the state and federal fronts, appropriations is a primary issue.
State Appropriations: To combat the Governor’s recommendation of a $500,000 cut in the state appropriation for adult and family literacy, each organization recieved postcards to send to their legislators. In addition to this, each organization is urged to invite their legislators to visit their program or speak at a recognition or graduation event.
On March 25 and 26, the Senate Education Committee held a hearing on appropriations (which includes ABLE). In addition to my being there as legislative chair, Jeff Woodyard (Tri-County OIC) and Dr. Lori Fair (HACC) both from chairman’s Senator Piccola’s district attended the hearing. A question regarding the Governor’s recommendation to cut ABLE funding was asked of Secretary Zahorchak. The response was that the program is valuable; however, it is a difficult budget year.
Under the Pennsylvania Tuition Relief Act announced as part of the Governor’s 2009-10 budget proposal, all incoming students who qualify and seek to attend state-owned or community colleges would pay what they can afford in accordance with established financial aid practices. Every family will pay at least $1,000 a year for each child in college. Tuition relief would start this fall for incoming freshmen and reach nearly $550 million by the time the program is fully in place. It would be funded through revenues collected from the legalization and regulation of video poker, which is already widespread in bars and clubs across
PAACE is urging the Pennsylvania state legislators to ensure that the Pennsylvania Tuition Relief Act passes to make college tuition more affordable for every Pennsylvania family earning under $100,000 a year. It will help more than 170,000 students once in place, while putting a college degree within reach of 10,000 students who otherwise would be unable to afford tuition.
PAACE has created an online petition and is urging you to sign the petition and ask your students, volunteers and community partners to also get involved. The petition can be accessed online at: www.gopetition.com/petitions/pennsylvania-tuition-relief-act.html
Federal Appropriations:
Therefore, a major push is occurring with Senator Specter (since he is on the Appropriations Committee) and all Congresspersons to increase appropriations to $750 million for FY 10-11. Senator Specter is already an advocate for the hold harmless and has co-signed a letter to the U.S. Secretary of Education expressing his concern. Please email or write letters and fax them to your Congresspersons urging the increase in the federal appropriation. To date, Pennsylvania Representatives Brady and Fattah from Philadelphia have signed a Dear Colleague letter using this increase.
Please watch your email and snail mailbox in coming days for information on the advocacy campaign to both hold
Advocacy Toolkit: The National Coalition of Literacy has just released an excellent online advocacy toolkit. Please see the article in this newsletter for further information. Members of the Legislative Committee, which includes PAACE’s three regional representatives are considering different ways to use this Toolkit to better inform and educate members on advocacy.
The Family Literacy Division would like to thank everyone who helped make the division's activities at the PAACE Midwinter Conference a success. The Office of Commonwealth Libraries, PAACE Family Literacy Division and the TIU Family Literacy Professional Development Project collaborated to host a visit from Katherine Ayres, author of Up, Down, and Around, the 2008 selection for the third annual Pennsylvania One Book, Every Young Child program. Katherine signed books at the Marketplace Grand Opening and presented a workshop titled, “Playing with Words: Writing is the Other Side of Literacy” during the conference.Each year at the PAACE Midwinter Conference the Family Literacy Division supports a service project. This year, donations were collected for the Ronald McDonald House of Hershey and Family Room. Todd Layser, House Manager, sent a thank you to everyone who supported in the contribution of wish list items. He said, “Your contributions are vital in the daily operations of the House and Family Room. Thank you for sharing in the House that love built!”
There were also several advocates of family literacy that were recognized. Susan Pannebaker, Acting Director of the Office of Commonwealth Libraries, was recognized at the PAACE Family Literacy Division Luncheon. Susan was recognized for her countless years of generosity and support to Pennsylvania Even Start and Family Literacy programs. Susan was presented with thank you cards created by programs and families, a beautiful Willow Tree ornament and bouquet of flowers. Four family literacy programs received recognition at the Family Literacy Luncheon. During the Family Literacy Luncheon the Goodling Institute and Family Literacy Division recognized and co-sponsored the “Goodling Best Practice Awards.” After reviewers completed their scoring and the results were tabulated we had a tie for first place. Thanks to the generosity of the Goodling Institute, both programs were honored with first place awards. Former U.S. Congressman Bill Goodling, the “Father of Even Start,” presented the plaques and cash awards to recipients. Winners were:
- First place: Forbes Road Family Literacy Program and Lancaster Lebanon IU 13 Family Literacy Program
- Second Place: Tuscarora Intermediate Unit 11 Even Start Family Literacy Program
- Third place: Family Literacy Center of the YMCA Adult Education and Technology Center
Although PAACE Midwinter Conference activities have ended, there are two upcoming events for family literacy program to honor the lives of young children and promote literacy. March 31 marked the kick-off of the 2009 PA One Book campaign. The 2009 selection, If You Were a Penguin, by Wendell and Florence Minor has been sent to all programs along with posters of activities linked to Pennsylvania’s Early Learning Standards. For more information and resources visit www.paonebook.org. Week of the Young Child is April 19-25, 2009. The theme, "Bring Communities Together for Children – Children Bring Communities Together" is an opportunity for Family Literacy Programs to highlight one of their most precious commodities – their children and raise awareness of their needs. Programs are urged to visit the National Association for the Education of Young Children website www.naeyc.org/about/woyc/ to check out resources and start planning.
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| Susan Pennabaker, Acting Director of the Commonwealth of Libraries, was recognized for her support of family literacy. | Author Katherine Ayers signs books at the PAACE Midwinter Conference Marketplace. |
Participants learned about other family literacy program improvement activities through a poster session at the conference. |
Continuing and Higher Education (CHE)
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The Continuing Education Association of Pennsylvania (CEA/PA) celebrated its 2oth anniversary at the PAACE Midwinter Conference. Many past presidents attended the conference and were recognized for their role in helping CEA/PA grow as an organization over the past 20 years. Members of CEA/PA are dedicated to promoting and supporting quality programs of public and private continuing education in the state of Pennsylvania. CEA/PA serves as an advocate for the postsecondary adult learner and encourages the professional development of its members. More information can be found at http://ceapa.org. |
| Conference participants and CEA/PA past presidents and members celebrate 20th anniversary |
English as a Second Language (ESL)
ESL Division wants your input
by E. Cathie Whitmire, Hispanic American Council, ESL Division Co-Chair
The ESL Division Co-Directors would like to thank everyone who helped to make the 2009 PAACE Midwinter Conference a success! A variety of informative sessions were showcased, by administrators and practitioners alike. Our ESL Division Luncheon was well attended, thanks to you, and our special guests, Michael Jones and Carol Rogoff Hallstrom from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS ).
Though we were pleased with this year's conference, there is always room for improvement! Do you have a favorite presenter? Is there something you want to share with the field, but have never had a chance? Is there a "hot topic" that you would like to know more about? Are there vendors or organizations you would like to see at the Marketplace? NOW is the time to let us know! Requests for proposals will go out in October, and February is closer than you think!
As the PAACE ESL Division Co-Directors, we are striving to build a stronger community of ESL administrators, practitioners, tutors and clients throughout Pennsylvania. Throughout the year, we gather the latest news and information to keep you informed. We work as advocates, along with the other Board members, to make your voices heard.
In the coming year: we will find new and innovative ways for our Division members to communicate with each other; address high interest topics like transitioning and workforce/vocational education; and continue advocating for increases in funding on both the state and federal levels. Also, we will be asking you to nominate some of your peers to be part of the PAACE Board beginning in 2010.
If you have any ideas, questions, or concerns, don't hesitate to contact us! We look forward to hearing from you!
Susan Adams - sadams@philaymca.org
Martin E. Senger - msenger@gecac.org
E. Cathie Whitmire - ecwhitmire@earthlink.net
Special thanks to PAACE Midwinter sponsors and supporters
PAACE would like to thank all of the sponsors and supporters of the 2009 PAACE Midwinter Conference on Adult Education. Their underwriting, donations and in-kind support had a major impact, for which PAACE is very grateful. Below are the 2009 sponsors, with support level designated in parentheses.
- Verizon (Major Supporter)
- Steck-Vaughn (Advocate)
- UPS (Advocate)
- CTB/McGraw-Hill (Advocate)
- Dollar General (Mentor)
- Annie E. Casey Foundation (Honorary Conference Chair)
- The Hershey Company
- Hershey Entertainment Group
- National Institute for Literacy
- Workforce Education Research Center
- Office of Commonwealth Libraries
We also want to thank those who donated door prizes for the Marketplace Coffee Break.
Special thanks for the support and participation of the Bureau of Adult Basic and Literacy Education and their programs, the Pennsylvania Literacy Corps and the many adult education programs that lent staff to volunteer for this conference.
PAACE would also like to express appreciation to all the volunteers from across the state who helped make sure the conference was a success. This conference would not be possible without the many volunteers who shared their time and talents. Finally, PAACE expresses gratitude to the Governor’s Office for providing the Proclamation of Adult Education Month.
Welcome New and Returning PAACE Members
by Suzanne Webster, Penn State University ISAL, Membership Chair
The PAACE Board would like to welcome all new and returning PAACE members. Membership continues to be strong. As of March 6, 2009, there are a total of 658 active PAACE members.
We welcome the new members who joined PAACE this year. Remember that there are many benefits in addition to the discounted rate at the Midwinter Conference. To learn about how you can take advantage of these benefits, please visit our membership page.
PAACE also asks that you encourage your colleagues, community partners and supporters of adult education in your community to join PAACE. As the professional organization for adult and continuing education, we are here to advocate and represent our members needs and services.
National Coalition for Literacy Launches Online Advocacy Toolkit
The National Coalition for Literacy (NCL) has launched its new online Advocacy Clearinghouse and Toolkit (www.ncladvocacy.org). Developed with an aim to change the conversation about adult education in the U.S., the Toolkit provides adult education and literacy advocates with the tools and knowledge to raise awareness and speak for the needs of 30+ million Americans with limited literacy and the 11+ million who cannot communicate in English.
Containing dozens of resources, facts and reports provided by member organizations of the NCL, the Advocacy Clearinghouse and Toolkit is a “one-stop shop” for all advocates interested in improving adult education. This project has been generously supported by the Dollar General Literacy Foundation, which invests millions of dollars each year in literacy programs that help individuals reach their full potential.
The NCL is a national adult education leadership organization comprised of member organizations and adult education professionals, committed to promoting adult education and literacy, family literacy and English language development in the US. For more information about the Toolkit, contact Jennifer Maloney, NCL Director, at: jennifer.maloney@ncldc.net or Jackie Taylor, website developer at Jackie@jataylor.net.
Free home and safety materials for ESL and readers at various levels available
The Home Safety Literacy Project has created print-based materials to teach home and safety topics to adults at various reading levels and ESL learners. These materials are an effective alternative to text-heavy safety handouts and can be easily integrated into your existing community outreach program. There are educational materials are highly illustrated and relate to:
Poison Safety
Fire Safety
Emergency Preparedness
Access these free teaching tools and handouts at: www.homesafetycouncil.org/expert_network/en_literacy_w001.aspx
World Education Field Notes focuses on transition from ABE to college
The fall/winter issue of Field Notes, with a focus on transitions from ABE to college, is now online at www.sabes.org. This issue is the last one to be printed in hard copy. From now on, Field Notes will be posted only online.
This issue of Field Notes includes articles such as "A Student's Perspective of a College Success Class" by Katie Shaw, "Technology Tools for College Success" by Pat Weisberger and "Students Leading Students: An Interactive Campus Tour Model" by Karen Van Kirk. To read these and other great articles check out Field Notes online .
Civic involvement and community activism sourcebook
The Sourcebook is an excellent resource that can help you integrate civic involvement and community activism into your adult education curriculum. The Sourcebook includes 20 narrative accounts (written mostly by teachers) that are organized by type of civic participation, including: Holding Decision-Makers Accountable, Building Community by Helping Others, Expressing Ourselves and Educating Others and Organizing for Change. Supplementing each account are "prep and practice" activities that develop the skills, knowledge and confidence one needs to engage in similar kinds of community involvement. Edited by Andy Nash, 2nd edition (2001) 218 pp. $16.00.
This publication can be ordered online or by contacting Leah Peterson at 617-482-9485 (lpeterson@worlded.org).
2009 COABE National Conference
April 18 -22, 2009
Galt House Hotel and Suites
Louisville, KY
www.coabeconference.org
PA Partners Conference
May 6 - 8, 2009
Hershey Lodge and Convention Center
Hershey, PA
www.papartners.org
Pennsylvania Career and Technical Education Conference
June 24 - June 26, 2009
Seven Springs Mountain Resort
Champion, PA
www.voced.iup.edu/pactec/
AAACE 58th International Conference
November 3 – 6, 2009
Cleveland, OH
www.aaace.org
3rd National Conference on Effective Transition in Adult Education
November 16 - 17, 2009
Crowne Plaza Hotel
Comprehensive conference listing!
Whatever your interest in adult education may be, the LINCS conference calendar has something for you--actually, LOTS of things for you. Check out this thorough list of conferences and events related to adult education, technology and affiliated topics at:
www.nifl.gov/cgi-bin/Calendar/calendar_world.cgi
PAACE News available in PDF
For those who like to print out PAACE News, you have the option of printing directly from your browser or downloading a PDF file of each issue.
Download the current issue of PAACE News as PDF file here.
Are you subscribed to the PAACE members e-mail list?
If you are a PAACE member and are not subscribed to the members e-mail list, you may use the simple sign-up process by going to www.paacesite.org, clicking on the link on the main page for the PAACE lists, and following the link for the members@paacesite.org list. Subscribers also may follow the link to change subscription information. Only subscribers may post to the list.
PAACE members are encouraged to be on the e-mail list in order to receive announcements and late-breaking legislative news, especially now!
President: Diane C. Inverso (Mayor's Commission on Literacy)
First Vice-President: Lori Keefer (Greater Pittsburgh Literacy Council)
Second Vice-President: Henry Wardrop (Lincoln Intermediate Unit 12)
Secretary: Anita Cola (Lackawanna College)
Treasurer: William Schaffer (Northampton Community College)
Immediate Past President: Tana Reiff (TIU 11 Community Education Services)
Remote Past President: Chuck Klinger (TIU 11 Community Education Services)
Western Regional Representative: Alex Dow (Greater Pittsburgh Literacy Council)
Central Regional Representative: Mary Mingle (Central Intermediate Unit 10)
Eastern Regional Representative: Rebecca Wagner (Lancaster-Lebanon IU 13)
Adult Basic and Secondary Education Division Director: Bootsie Barbour (Stairways Behavioral Health)
Continuing Higher Education Division Director: Mary Anne Varacalli (Delaware County Community College, retired)
Corrections Education Division Director: Randy Bacon (Allegheny County Prison)
ESL Division: Susan Adams (YMCA of Philadelphia), Martin Senger (GECAC), and Cathie Whitmire (Hispanic American Council)
Family Literacy Division: Lori McMonigal (TIU 11 Community Education Services) and Katherine Vastine (Central Susquehanna Intermediate Unit 16)
Tutors of Literacy in the Commonwealth: Kim Rossman (Tutors of Literacy in the Commonwealth)
Workplace Education Division: Cheryl Hiester (Literacy Council of Lancaster-Lebanon)
PDE Bureau of ABLE Representative: Susan Mansuetti
Commonwealth Libraries: Eileen Kocher
Committee Chairs/Full Board list: See the PAACE website.
PAACE News Editorial Board
Colleen Duran, Greater Pittsburgh Literacy Council, Co-Editor
Destiny Long, TIU 11 Community Education Services, Co-Editor
Lynette Hazelton, District 1199C Training and Upgrading Fund
Diane C. Inverso, Mayor's Commission on Literacy
Peggi Kelley, Greater Pittsburgh Literacy Council
Chrissie Klinger, Bedford County Literacy Council/Chestnut Ridge School District
Karen Mundie, Greater Pittsburgh Literacy Council
Tana Reiff, TIU 11 Community Education Services
Mary Anne Varacalli, Delaware County Community College (ret.)
Drucie Weirauch, The Pennsylvania State University
The purpose of PAACE News is to inform members of PAACE about the activities and plans of the Association and how they can participate in them. Remaining consistent with the mission of the organization, the newsletter connects a diverse audience of adult education practitioners, researchers and students throughout Pennsylvania. The opinions expressed in this newsletter do not necessarily reflect the position or policy of PAACE and no official endorsement should be inferred.
This issue published April 3, 2009.
To submit material for PAACE News, please e-mail the editor at cduran@gplc.org.