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Summer 2007
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Volume 31, No. 2
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by Chuck Klinger, TIU 11 Community Education Services, PAACE President
It seems like PAACE has been busy non-stop over the past year or so. We have been working hard to close out the COABE Conference, working on reviewing all of the session and conference evaluations, determining the financial impact of the conference, and developing a final report to help guide next year’s COABE Conference. Also, video from the keynote speech by Jonathon Kozol and the policy panel should be available on the COABE website soon. The evaluations have been very positive overall – thank you again to all who helped make the conference a success.
While all of this has been going on, planning is already underway for the 2008 Midwinter Conference. This is also a year for PAACE to develop a new strategic plan, for which the data collection process has already begun. Several regions have already had advocacy workshops, with more to come. You can read more about these activities in other articles throughout this newsletter.
I would also like to update everyone about a few minor changes. We are looking to improve how we communicate the activities of the PAACE Board. In the past, minutes from the Board meetings would include reports of all activities from all Board members as well as all of the discussions from the meetings. We have decided to now post two documents to the website: an agenda, which includes all of the Board member reports and points of discussion or action for our meetings; and the meeting minutes, which is a concise summary of decisions and actions based on the meeting. Our hope is this will accurately convey the actions of the Board. These documents can be accessed from the PAACE website at: www.paacesite.org/web-data/Diagrams/PAACE%20Site/minutes.html.
Another area we are hoping to update soon is our operations manual. This document spells out our procedures and will identify the role of various Board members. It should also help us to better provide orientation for new Board members.
As you read through this issue of the newsletter, you will read about many of PAACE's activities. We feel very good about our accomplishments, as well as those of the field in general. However, we are always looking to do more. If you have ideas about new opportunities for PAACE or are interested in becoming more active with PAACE or the field of adult education in general, please contact me, your regional representative, or division chair.
Funding increases for adult education and family literacy
by JoAnn Weinberger, Center for Literacy, PAACE Legislative Committee Chair
State budget includes funding increase for adult education and family
literacy
The State budget for 07-08 increased the Adult Education and Family Literacy line item to: $23,434,000. This is just $100,000 shy of the $5 million increase requested by the Governor.
Many thanks go to: Governor Rendell for requesting the increase, ABLE Bureau Director Rose Brandt and the Bureau of ABLE for working toward getting extra funding into the budget discussion, the members of the State Legislature for supporting this important increase, and all of you who informed your legislators about how important this increase was to providing valuable education services for Pennsylvania residents.
A key component of advocacy is to extend thanks to those who have responded to an expressed need. Please be sure to thank all of those who were involved in making this increase possible.
Federal funding update
GOOD NEWS! On June 7, the House Appropriations Sub-Committee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies marked up their appropriations bill for FY-08. The sub-committee increased funding for adult education state grants from $564 million to $589 million. If this turns out to be the final figure in the FY-08 appropriations bill it would represent the FIRST INCREASE IN ADULT EDUCATION FUNDING AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL IN THE PAST FIVE YEARS. In addition, they rejected President Bush’s call for zero funding for Even Start and voted for $99 million. Unfortunately, the Appropriations Sub-Committee in the Senate did not increase the funding for adult education and voted for zero funding for Even Start. We will continue to fight for our goal of a FY-08 appropriation of $750 million.
Congratulations to everyone who worked on this issue with the members of the House and particularly to those of you in those Congressional districts that targeted the specific members of this sub-committee for special attention.
Continue completing and mailing the orange PAACE postcards.
Also, on June 7, the Senate halted consideration of the immigration bill after the failure of a cloture motion to limit debate. Majority Leader Senator Harry Reid has pulled the bill from the floor. There is a small chance that the bill will be brought back for consideration later in this session but most observers’ doubt that will happen. Thanks to all of you who did such fine work on encouraging Senators to defeat the Alexander Amendment. The amendment was never offered. All of our work on this issue put us into contact with numerous organizations and US Senators who will be instrumental is helping us to design a high quality, well funded ESOL component that should be part of any future immigration bill.
Now is the time to visit your local elected officials
All of the members of the U.S. House and Senate will be back in Pennsylvania for an extended period of time during August. This gives us the opportunity to meet with them and their staff to discuss the need for additional resources at the federal level for adult education. It is very easy to set up an appointment with your member (s) of Congress. Call the Washington office and ask to talk with their scheduler. At that point they will either give you an appointment time at a local office or will let you know within two weeks when you can meet with the member.
This meeting can be with the local adult education director, the director and several staff members or the director and several former or current students. The meeting will probably be limited to 15-30 minutes so you will want to be prepared with talking points about the success of your local or the statewide program. If students and staff are involved you will want to meet with them prior to the meeting with the Congressperson or Senator to discuss what role each person will play during the session.
Please let me know how your visit goes so that I can share some of those stories with the rest of the network. Thank you.
PAACE-sponsored regional workshops on "Educating Legislators"
The feedback on the workshops has been quite positive, with the participants having many good ideas for enhancing programs and individual advocacy. Be sure to read Alex Dow's article in this issue for tips from workshop participants. Do you have feedback on the Advocacy Workshops? Should they be planned again for next year? Please email JoAnn at weinberger@centerforliteracy.org.
Continuing Higher Education
LERN a source for higher education job postings
by Mary Anne Varacalli, Delaware County Community College (ret.), CHE Division Chair
The Learning Resource Network (LERN) is a international association that offers information and resources for educational organizations and associations. Members of LERN include educational associations, higher education faculty, community education organizations, and continuing education programs. The LERN website, www.lern.org, includes information about upcoming conferences and online courses. The website also lists job opportunities that may be of interest to the continuing higher education field. To access a current list of job postings, go to: http://login.greatbignews.com/UserFiles/89/job-posting_july07_unf-aahsa.htm
Family Literacy
Fun summer family literacy activities
by Lori McMonigal, TIU 11 Community Education Services, Family Literacy Division Co-Chair
Summer is a beautiful season, perfect for spending time outdoors. Here is a fun activity that parents and children can enjoy together.
Sharing a Story:
Read the story "Swimmy" by Leo Lionni. In the story, Swimmy the fish finds out that working together as a team is a great way to solve a problem!
“Go Fish” Snack:
Ingredients:
- Goldfish crackers
- Peanut butter (or alternative if allergic)
- Thin pretzel sticks
Place some goldfish on a plate. Put a little pile of peanut butter on the plate beside the goldfish. Children can “fish” by dipping their pretzels in the peanut butter, and then touching a fish. The sticky peanut butter will “catch” the fish! Yum!
For those of you that are “fishing” for a new resource, the Family Focused Finances lesson plans are now online! Find them at www.pafamilyliteracy.org, under “Resources.”
ProLiteracy seeking nominees for outstanding work
Now is your chance to be recognized for the outstanding work that you are doing in your community! You or your program could be selected for prizes that include: $500 worth of New Readers Press materials, a $1,000 travel stipend to attend ProLiteracy's annual conference, or even $1,500 to support your local literacy program! ProLiteracy Worldwide recognizes the accomplishments of its partners and members through awards presented at the conference.
There are three categories of awards:
-ProLiteracy America awards
-ProLiteracy Worldwide Literacy South award
-Dollar General Literacy Foundation awards
Go to http://www.proliteracy.org/conference/awards.asp for more details.
Opening Windows: It's time to submit conference proposals
by Tana Reiff, TIU 11 Community Education Services, PAACE First Vice-President
Midwinter Conference may seem like a long time from now, but planning is in full swing. The theme “Opening Windows” holds vast possibilities for looking to the future of adult education with optimism and innovation. Have you marked February 6-8, 2008 on your calendar?
The online session proposal form will accept submissions between August 1 and October 1. If you are on the PAACE e-mail list, you’ll receive an announcement, and details will be posted on www.paacesite.org as they develop. The categories for sessions will align with PAACE Divisions: Literacy, Adult Basic and Secondary Education, English as a Second Language, Family Literacy, Workforce Development, Corrections Education, and Continuing/Higher Education (CEA/PA). Three additional strands are Research, Administration, and Public Policy. There also will be a General category, as many topics are for everyone. A certain number of sessions will be solicited by the Bureau of ABLE in various categories and clearly labeled as such.
We will be offering “roundtable” sessions, where small groups can meet and discuss specialized topics, classroom
practice, or research. This will provide an alternative format while freeing up meeting rooms for larger sessions.
Conference registration fees will hold pretty close to 2006 levels by offering three deadlines and maintaining an incentive for PAACE membership. Rooms at the Hershey Lodge are up a bit, which is out of our control. We are soliciting sponsorship at a range of levels for some conference events and general underwriting. If you have any prospects, please contact me at tana_reiff@comcast.net just in case we haven’t already thought of it.
Keep an eye on www.paacesite.org, as we’ll be posting news and information about the conference all along the way.
PAACE’s Educating Legislators Workshop: Southwestern Recap
by Alex Dow, Greater Pittsburgh Literacy Council, Western Regional Representative
On July, 13 staff from southwestern area programs met for PAACE’s Educating Legislators workshop. Greater Pittsburgh Literacy Council’s Associate Director Karen Mundie facilitated an inspirational session where participants came away with a blueprint for how to conduct successful advocacy. Below are some tips that are helpful for everyone to keep in mind as they educate their legislators on important issues.
Attendees were advised that before jumping right into advocacy, it is necessary to prepare. It was recommended to keep an organized folder complete with:
- Four to five talking points to share your message specifically and succinctly. Keep in mind you will probably have only a few minutes to get your message across.
- Contact information for each representative and the appropriate aide.
- Success stories – especially if you can highlight an ABLE Outstanding Student of the Year.
- Log of previous contacts with the aides and legislators, with dates and discussions topics.
- Statistics – about programs, adult education services and needs, and regions.
Participants also learned to keep these things in mind once you are organized and ready to begin your advocacy effort:
- Assume a community of interest with the person you are speaking to and that they feel nothing but good will towards your program and cause. Remember you are trying to build a relationship. A confrontational attitude will shut down communication.
- However, when a representative does not vote in support of adult literacy, it is OK. Politely let this representative know that you are disappointed.
- Remember to let the aide or legislator know that you live in his or her district and that you also represent others in that community as well. For example, you can highlight the number of students or tutors in your program or the number of members in PAACE to show the impact of the request and that people are paying attention to this issue.
Finally, and probably the most important point is to help students do their own advocacy work. Give learners legislators' contact information, help learners to prepare for their advocacy phone calls or letters, and encourage learners with all their efforts. Use advocacy activities as a real-life lessons in democracy, writing, and communication. Help learners understand the link between their advocacy efforts and the programs that adult education programs that are having such a great impact on their lives and communities.
Career Gateway featured on National College Transition Network website
Career Gateway is a two-year pilot project that aims to improve the ability of the Pennsylvania Workforce Development System and the postsecondary education and training systems to support individuals’ transition between systems. The work of this project participants is feature on the National College Transition Network's website: www.collegetransition.org.
The project is a collaborative effort of the Departments of Education, Bureau of Adult Basic and Literacy Education (ABLE), Labor & Industry, Bureau of Workforce Development Partnerships (BWDP), and the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA). A federal incentive grant awarded to Pennsylvania for exceeding performance levels in WIA Title I, Adult Education (AEFLA), and Vocational Education (Perkins Act) programs for Program Year ’03 provided the funding for the Career Gateway project.
For more information, visit the Career Gateway page on the ABLEsite at: www.able.state.pa.us and clicking on "Career Gateway" on the left navigation menu.
2007 COABE Regional Institute
October 10 - 12, 2007
Crown Plaza Williamsburg
Williamsburg, VA
Featuring presentation by Dr. Stephen Brookfield
www.vaace.org
AAACE 2007 Conference
Spirit of New Norfolk: Life and Adult Education Celebrated Daily
October 30 - November 2, 2007
Norfolk Waterside Marriott
Norfolk, Virginia
www.stevegjones.com/AAACE
ProLiteracy Worldwide 2007 Annual Conference
November 7 – 10, 2007
Hilton Mark Center
Alexandria, VA
www.proliteracy.org/conference
Effective Transitions in Adult Education
November 8-9, 2007
Providence, RI
Featuring keynote speaker, Dr. JoAnn Crandal, who will discuss transition for English language learners
www.collegetransition.org/novconference.html
LERN 2007 Annual Conference
November 15-17
Orlando, FL
www.lern.org/annual_convention
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: Chuck Klinger (TIU 11 Community Education Services)
First Vice-President: Tana Reiff (TIU 11 Community Education Services)
Second Vice-President: Diane Inverso (Mayor's Commission on Literacy)
Secretary: Lori Keefer (Greater Pittsburgh Literacy Council)
Treasurer: Mary Hohensee (Literacy Council of Lancaster-Lebanon)
Immediate Past President: Debbie Hrach
Remote Past President: Robert McNeill (Delaware Valley College)
Western Regional Representative: Alex Dow (Greater Pittsburgh Literacy Council)
Central Regional Representative: Ruth Love-Schooley (Lycoming County Library System)
Eastern Regional Representative: Joe Morales (Lancaster-Lebanon Intermediate Unit 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 Julie Shumaker (Central Susquehanna Intermediate Unit)
Tutors of Literacy in the Commonwealth: Kim Rossman (Tutors of Literacy in the Commonwealth)
Workplace Education Division: Linda Lazur (Schuylkill IU 29)
PDE Bureau of ABLE Representative: Susan Mansuetti
Commonwealth Libraries: Eileen Kocher (ABLE Resource Center)
PAACE Executive Director: Kayte Connelly
Committee Chairs/Full Board list: See the PAACE website.
PAACE News Editorial Board
Destiny Myers, TIU 11 Community Education Services, Editor
Karen Mundie, Greater Pittsburgh Literacy Council
Ruth Love-Schooley, Lycoming County Library System
Tana Reiff, TIU 11 Community Education Services
Carol Shefrin, TIU 11 Community Education Services
Mary Anne Varacalli, Delaware County Community College (ret.)
Chuck Klinger, TIU 11 Community Education Services
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.
This issue published July 22, 2007.
To submit material for PAACE News, please e-mail the editor at dmyers@tiu11.org.