End-of-Term Thanks
by Linda Herr, Lycoming County Literacy Project, PAACE President

The holidays are over and Midwinter Conference is rapidly approaching. The year has flown by and a new year greets us. To be ready for the new year and the first adult and continuing education event for members and non-members alike, remember to register for the conference. Just click on the link found at www.paacesite.org and follow the directions.

I would like to take this time to say thank-you to my fellow PAACE Board Members, Executive Director, past presidents, friends, and members who have worked this year to implement change and make the organization stronger. I also would like to thank all of you who work very hard all year long as teachers, tutors, trainers, counselors, learners, administrative support staff and caseworkers. Each of you accepts the responsibility every day for making a difference in the lives of others. Each of you sometimes must wear many different hats and are so dedicated to doing what it takes to get the job done. You persevere in the face of change and accept those challenges that change can bring.

I owe a special thanks to the staff whom I am fortunate to work with every day. Their support and extreme dedication to the field makes my job easy. Thank you for your demonstrated pride in what you do.

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2003 Midwinter Conference Just Around the Corner
by Maria J. Boileau, Central IU 10 West Branch Technology Center

Barbara Tyndall and Margaret Giordano lead a session at the 2002 Midwinter Conference.

After many months of planning and preparation, the 2003 PAACE Midwinter Conference, "PAACE Setters: Higher Goals, Higher Dreams," is only weeks away. "The planning committee is right on schedule and we are looking forward to an exciting event," said Debra G. Burrows, First Vice-President of PAACE and 2003 Conference Program Chair. "The conference theme recognizes our aspirations and our faith in the future both as individuals and as an organization. Together we can explore the dreams and set the goals that will guide our actions and ensure our success."

The conference will officially kick off with the opening Legislative Luncheon, where the 2003 Outstanding Adult Students in both basic and higher education will be honored. The grand opening of the Marketplace will feature magician Kevin Hurley and an array of publisher and program exhibits. This year’s keynote speaker is a familiar to many PAACE members: Cheryl Keenan, U.S. Office of Adult and Vocational Education Director and former Director of Pennsylvania’s Bureau of Adult Basic and Literacy Education. Once again, the Strolling Strings will serenade us at the conference banquet on Thursday. The major events will be interspersed with presentations addressing current issues in the related fields of adult education, adult literacy, family literacy, continuing education, and educational technology. All in all, this year’s conference is sure to be a valuable professional experience.

Participants will have the opportunity to delve into issues and trends affecting a variety of areas, with sessions divided into ten topical strands: Adult Basic/Secondary Education, Continuing Higher Education, Technology, Corrections Education, Family Literacy, Workforce Development, English as a Second Language, Learning Differences, Tutoring/Adult Student Involvement, and General Interest. The presentations promise to be interactive and participatory, offering "hands-on" activities and incorporating audio and visual components.

This year, presenters will have the resources they need with the availability of three fully equipped technology labs. Located in the Cocoa rooms, the labs will be furnished with laptop computers, LCD projectors, and Internet access.

PAACE is proud of its Midwinter Conference, one of the largest and most comprehensive adult education conferences in the nation. It provides an opportunity to present and discuss research in adult basic education, adult literacy, and adults in higher and continuing education, as well as to focus on legislative issues, education funding, innovative and proven practices, workforce training, assessment and accountability, performance measures, applications of technology, and much more.

This is the first year we've had a conference Web site and it is an extensive one. To take a virtual tour of the conference, register for the conference, or find out more please visit www.paacesite.org/midwinterconference2003 (or follow the links from PAACE site’s home page at www.paacesite.org). The direct link to the "Conference at a Glance (Tabloid)," containing conference information and the schedule of events is www.paacesite.org/midwinterconference2003/conferenceglance.htm.

There is still time to register for the conference (see below), which will be held February 12 to 14, 2003, at the Hershey Lodge and Convention Center, but time is running short to get the $30 early registration discount, which is available only to those registering before February 1, 2003.

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Registering for the Conference, Online

Registrants for the 2003 PAACE Midwinter Conference are discovering a new and exciting way to register for the conference this year - online registration with the Peopleware registration system! As of January 6, 2003, 320 people had registered online. Feedback has been very positive concerning the convenience of online registration. Also noted is how quickly registration can be accomplished through Peopleware. In addition, your PAACE membership can now be obtained or renewed online.

To celebrate our new electronic registration system, free registrations for the Midwinter Conference, including meals, are being awarded to the 50th, 100th, 200th, 300th, and 400th persons to complete their registrations online. Congratulations go out to:

• #50 Theresa Banford, Community Learning Center in Philadelphia
• #100 Karen Busby, Chester County Opportunities Industrialization Center
• #200 Kelli Argot, York Literacy Council
• #300 Krista Kiehl, Chester County Alliance for Adult Training and Education

If you haven’t yet registered online, there is still one more opportunity to win!

The on-site registration and conference sign-in process has been streamlined with the addition of three lines based on the last name of registrants alphabetically. As conference attendees exit the registration desks, they will have the option of choosing from a variety of informational brochures and handouts displayed for their convenience. As always, if you are looking to register for Act 48 hours, the necessary forms will be located at the registration desk.

For Act 48 Credit

Participants who require Act 48 hours are reminded of the three steps necessary to obtain these hours:

1. Register for the Midwinter Conference using the online registration link to the Peopleware registration system on the PAACE Web site: /midwinterconference2003/registration.htm
2. Register for the Midwinter Conference using the CourseWhere registration system:: www.solutionwhere.com/ciu10anp/cw/main.asp
3. Provide all information (including social security number and certificate information) requested on the sign-in sheet at the Midwinter Conference to confirm attendance. This is required for Act 48 compliance. Failure to do so may result in participants’ forfeiting their Act 48 hours for the conference.

For more information about the Midwinter Conference or to register online, please visit the PAACE Midwinter Conference Web site at: www.paacesite.org/midwinterconference2003/registration.htm

If you have any questions, please contact Ginny Sorgen at vsorgen@LHUP.edu or phone (570) 748-4038.

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Midwinter Marketplace News
by Mary Kay Peterson, Exhibits Coordinator

The Midwinter Marketplace exhibits the latest materials and much more. (Photo from 2002)

The PAACE Midwinter Conference Marketplace will again be the place to be while you're in Hershey in mid-February. Many of our longtime friends, such as Myron Hallock from Contemporary Publishers and Mary Helen Ives-Gennett with Steck-Vaughn, will be there, along with Dotsy Landau and the Pearl in the Oyster. However, new faces will also be there for you to get to know, including Pro Lingua Associates and Jim Kirkland and Noreen Lopez representing KET.

The Grand Opening Wednesday will be extra special this year with master of ceremonies, magician Kevin Hurley. A native of Pittsburgh, Kevin has been practicing magic since kindergarten. Kevin is well known within Family Literacy circles and he will bring new fun to the usual excitement of the Grand Opening. Kevin will also have giveaways at his booth, so be sure to stop by and say hello! He promises not to make anyone disappear! Speaking of which, a reminder that the exhibitors’ materials are for display only and not meant to disappear during the conference. All the exhibitors are happy to send you samples upon request,

Programs wishing to display should contact Helen Guisler at (717) 248-4942 to reserve space, which is first come, first served. Also, if you know of a publisher or educational company we should include, please let me know with contact information and I will be happy to send them an invitation to exhibit. You may contact me at mkpeterson@chesco.com.

by JoAnn Weinberger, Center for Literacy, PAACE Legislative Committee Chair

APPROPRIATIONS – APPROPRIATIONS – APPROPRIATIONS

That’s the key word for what is happening at the federal level. First of all, there is funding for 2003 which has not been finalized. For Title II funding, the Bush administration recommended level funding. Although this sounded like a neutral recommendation when it was first made and passed by the full House and the Senate Appropriations Committee, we now know there is an issue – the 2000 Census. Since Pennsylvania’s growth did not keep pace with the national average, Pennsylvania stands to lose about 21% of its federal adult and family literacy funding—about $5 million—for the 2003-04 fiscal year.

In addition, President Bush had recommended a 20% reduction in federal Even Start funds. This proposed cut for 2003-04 was passed by the full House, but the Senate Appropriations Committee voted for level funding.

If either of these cuts occurs, both state and federal funding will be affected. So, whether your program receives state or federal funds, whether you receive Even Start or state family literacy funds, ACT NOW.

What can you do?

Contact your federal Congressperson and Senators Specter and Santorum.

• Ask them to request a two-year phase-in of the 2000 Census data and to support an increased appropriation so that Pennsylvania and other states could be held harmless. Currently, less than 4% of the population in need in Pennsylvania is being served. Cutting the budget by $5 million in one year will enable fewer people to be served.
• Ask them to support level funding for the Even Start program.

This contact, which can be made by sending or faxing a letter or calling and leaving a message, should be made NOW.

REAUTHORIZATION—REAUTHORIZATION—REAUTHORIZATION

Both Temporary Aid for Needy Families and Workforce Investment Act are up for federal reauthorization. To be informed and find out more about the issues, please participate in the PAACE Midwinter Conference session on Wednesday afternoon, February 12, at 2:15.

Higher Education Legislative News

A request from the U.S. Department of Education regarding Higher Education Act (HEA) Reauthorization:

Please submit your comments and recommendations for amending and extending the Higher Education Act by February 28 at a new ED Web site: http://bcol01.ed.gov/CFAPPS/OPE/HEA/index.cfm. (ED's goals for the reauthorization of HEA are at www.ed.gov/offices/OPE/reauthorization/HEAgoals.html.)

English as a Second Language
Conference strand, lesson swap, networking
by Theresa Andrews, Greater Pittsburgh Literacy Council, Division Co-chair

The ESL conference strand will offer sessions about a variety of professional development topics. Sessions will include strategies for workplace ESL, communication in the ESL classroom, and using learner narratives in the ESL classroom. There also will be sessions focusing on English Literacy/Civics projects.

The ESL Division will also have an ESL Lesson Swap Table during the conference. Anyone interested in sharing ESL lesson plans or ideas can e-mail me, an ESL Division co-chair, at eslgplc@aol.com.

A PAACE ESL networking meeting was held December 12 in Pittsburgh. Instructors and administrators from 3 local agencies got together to discuss PAACE and issues related to ESL. There will be another ESL networking meeting in the spring.

Ruth Love-Schooley

As usual, we will be spotlighting programs in the Marketplace. This year we are asking that programs bring a photograph that captures their program in action. The photo could be of a family reading together or perhaps of a special event. Programs will also be asked to bring their best recruitment tool to share with others. Family Literacy Quilt T-shirts will again be on sale and our Technical Assistants will have resources available for programs to take back to their agencies.

This year our Division luncheon on Friday will focus on marketing strategies for your program. Should a social service agency market its program like a business does? Ray Budrow, PBS spokesperson, thinks so. Mr. Budrow will attend our Division luncheon and share his ideas for marketing and recruitment with us. Please plan on attending.

We hope that this year’s conference is better than ever. I encourage you to take advantage of all that is planned.

I would also like to officially welcome my new Family Literacy Division Co-Chair. Her name is Susan Mansuetti and she is with Penn State Beaver Adult Literacy Action. Welcome, Susan. I look forward to working with you.

In the 21st century, when downsizing and stiffer competition for dwindling educational monies is a harsh reality, how does a region known for extensive educational opportunities for adults thrive?

In the early 1990s, Dr. Jan Orris and Roberta Aronson, continuing education administrators in Pittsburgh, convened a meeting of representatives from the colleges and universities in that area. This group of colleagues determined that an association of area schools should be established with monthly meetings throughout the academic year to discuss enrollment, academic, financial aid, retention, and programming issues relevant to adult students, allowing the colleagues to effectively network with each other.

Thus the Continuing Education Association of Pennsylvania was born. Today the Pittsburgh Chapter of CEAPA (CEA-PGH) is a thriving organization. Throughout the academic year, schools alternate hosting the two-hour luncheon/business meetings. This allows colleagues to visit other schools and learn about their operations and support staff. The culmination of the year is a celebratory luncheon meeting in May held at a local restaurant to discuss the year’s efforts, strategies for the following year, and scheduling of the following year’s meeting dates and locations.

Each spring an "Adult Education Expo" is held on a weekend at two area shopping malls. Each school pays a participation fee which covers advertising, facilities rental, and other expenses. The Expo is attended by several hundred potential adult students at each location and is a wonderful opportunity for adults to speak to all the area schools at one place.

Currently, 17 institutions of higher education in Western Pennsylvania are members of CEA-PGH: California University of Pennsylvania; Carlow College; Carnegie Mellon University; Chatham College; Duquesne University; Geneva College; Indiana University of Pennsylvania; La Roche College; Penn State University-New Kensington, McKeesport, and Beaver campuses; Pittsburgh Technical Institute; Point Park College; Robert Morris University; Seton Hill University; Slippery Rock University; St. Francis University; University of Pittsburgh; and Waynesburg College.

Although admissions is generally competitive due to recruitment goals, the collaborative relationship established by CEA-PGH alleviates feelings of competition, allowing members to more effectively serve adult learners. Hosting meetings on campus at local institutions enables members to become further informed about advancements at neighboring schools. Competing schools have come to acknowledge their own strengths and have begun to take advantage of the close proximity in which they are all located.

With the constant demands of career, life, and family, the adult learner seeks efficient measures when investigating new educational opportunities. CEA-PGH simplifies this process further by assisting prospective students based upon knowledge of their competitors. Thus the student benefits from these joint efforts.

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Research: A Resource for Practice
by Karen Rowe and Jessica Mortensen, World Education, Inc.

Like many who work in adult education, particularly adult literacy education, you may find yourself lacking time and resources. A valuable free resource exists that you might not have drawn upon, or perhaps not used as extensively as you would like: NCSALL Research.

High-quality research provides a structured way to look at practice and learn from evidence. It also gives you a sound basis for making decisions that influence program success and adult learning. Through the National Center for the Study of Adult Learning and Literacy (NCSALL)—a federally funded educational research center focused solely on adult learning—you can easily access reliable information about issues that concern educators, in print and online. You may wonder why some adult learners persist in their studies but others do not. Are certain professional development activities best for teachers? How can a program’s impact on adult learners be measured? These are only a few of the topics NCSALL is addressing.

NCSALL’s studies are meant to be immediately useful to teachers, counselors, volunteers, staff developers, and policymakers. A variety of formats—from research briefs to comprehensive reports, as well as teaching and training materials—lets you consider research findings and their implications in the ways that meet your needs. Additional NCSALL publications—for instance, Focus on Basics and The Annual Review of Adult Learning and Literacy—contribute the voices and knowledge of both NCSALL scholars and others in the field.

Most NCSALL publications can be downloaded free of charge at http://ncsall.gse.harvard.edu. Printed copies can be ordered online and also by contacting World Education, Inc., by phone at (617) 482-9485 or via e-mail at ncsall@worlded.org.

Next issue: Research Results in a New Tool to Improve Learning

The Council for Advancement of Adult Literacy (CAAL) is launching a project to help strengthen the role of community colleges in adult education and literacy.

"CAAL has a primary commitment to developing the state role in adult education and literacy," said president Gail Spangenberg. "To this end, the potential of community colleges is of paramount importance. They already provide adult education and literacy services for millions of adults, but the links between their services, other aspects of the colleges' operations, and the adult education and literacy community are usually weak." She emphasized that "these institutions and the adult education and literacy system will benefit greatly from strengthening the managerial, programmatic, and curricular links between them. That is the basic goal of our new project."

CAAL will form a blue-ribbon task force of leaders and experts from community colleges, adult literacy, and government. An outstanding individual dedicated to innovation in the community college sector and improved adult literacy service will be named to chair the task force. Members will be announced by February. Forrest Chisman, CAAL's Vice President for Special Projects, will be Study Director. Dr. Chisman has extensive credentials in the areas of community college innovation and collaboration, national and state policy analysis, and human resource development.

Over an 18-month period, the task force will develop a work plan, specify project outcomes, identify topics for several commissioned papers, and assess the findings. Meetings will be held at CAAL's offices in New York City and in Washington, DC, at the Center for the Book in the Library of Congress.

CAAL will publish and disseminate nationally its commissioned papers on various aspects of the community college role. The papers will be released one-by-one as the project unfolds. At the end of the project, the task force will issue a final report to summarize its findings and make action recommendations for community colleges, adult education and literacy groups, government, and other organizations. CAAL expects to play an active role in implementing the recommendations.

The Nellie Mae Foundation, Verizon, Inc., and McGraw-Hill, Inc. have each provided start-up funding for the project. Additional funds are being sought from other sources. The current donors all have an ongoing commitment to advancing adult literacy in America and a special interest in community colleges.

2003 Midwinter Conference on Adult Education: PAACE Setters:
Higher Goals Higher Dreams
February 12-14, 2003
Hershey Lodge and Convention Center

We invite you to share with us your aspirations for adult literacy; continuing higher education; research; educational technology; corrections education; family literacy; workforce development; English as a second language; learning differences; and the many other areas of interest within our field. Together, we can explore the dreams and set the goals that will guide our actions and ensure our success.

Midwinter Conference Home Page:
/midwinterconference2003

Midwinter Conference Registration page:
/midwinterconference2003/registration.htm

More information:

Dr. Kathleen Kramer
Temple University Harrisburg
234 Strawberry Square
Harrisburg, PA 17101
(717) 232-6400
Fax: (717) 221-1634
E-mail: kramerk@mail.temple.edu
www.paacesite.org/paacerc/index.htm

National Association for Adults with Special Learning Needs (NAASLN) Conference
March 16-18, 2003
Adam's Mark Hotel, Columbus, Ohio
Information: www.naasln.org

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Held at the Hilton Portland Hotel, the conference sessions will cover program improvement, professional development, and applications of instructional technology, presented by experts in the education field. Unique to the Portland 2003 conference, some sessions and activities will be held at the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI), and the Forestry Center. In addition, trips to Mount St. Helens, the Columbia River Gorge/Mount Hood, the Oregon Zoo, and the world renowned Rose Garden are planned to make this conference an educational adventure through the Oregon Trail.

Register today and make your travel arrangements! Much more information at www.coabe.org.

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