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Winter 2007 |
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Volume 30, No. 4 |
PAACE Has Had a Busy Year
by Chuck Klinger, TIU 11, PAACE First Vice-President
Dear Fellow PAACE Members:
The past year has probably seemed like the busiest year of the four years I have been on the PAACE board. It started on a very sad note, with the passing of Joanie Leopold who had been a PAACE treasure as our Executive Director. We were able to pull together and hold another successful conference, thanks to the efforts of many. In particular, I'd like to mention two people who really stepped up: Debbie Hrach, the conference chair; and Mary Kay Peterson, who served as temporary Assistant to the Executive Director.
Many of the other activities will be outlined throughout this newsletter by various people. Tana Reiff will report on the progress of the strategic plan. Jim Landers will provide an update on the 2007 conference, which will be a national-level conference co-sponsored with the Commission of Adult Basic Education. JoAnn Weinberger will report on the legislative activities of PAACE. Scot and Suzanne have led an effort to improve membership services - how we communicate with membership as well as how you can renew and update your membership. You will soon be able to renew your membership and pay your dues completely online. Mary Kay Peterson also will present the slate of new officers for 2007.
The PAACE Board feels very good about what we have accomplished and the direction we are moving in. We plan to have a new Executive Director in place by the end of January. This person will be experienced and effective at planning our annual conference as well as representing PAACE in various public capacities. PAACE will continue to be among the leaders nationally with regard to our conference and legislation committee. Please take some time to read the articles throughout this newsletter to learn more about the things we are working on.
COABE 2007 at Home in Pennsylvania!
by Jim Landers, Mayor's Commission on Literacy, COABE Planning Committee
COABE 2007, proudly hosted by PAACE, convenes in Philadelphia March 26-28, 2007. Register on the conference website as a PAACE member to save on registration.
Conference highlights include author Jonathan Kozol (keynote speaker), King Tut (“Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of the Pharaohs” exhibit at the Franklin Institute), Ben Franklin (at the opening ceremonies), and Tom Sticht, speaking at a conference networking luncheon. You’ll also have the chance to enjoy Philadelphia, rich in history as “the Cradle of Liberty” and with a vibrant array of restaurants, museums, and attractions. It’s the perfect setting for COABE 2007.
Besides the attractions of this year’s COABE Conference, there are also dozens of workshop sessions on topics directly relevant to practice in the field of adult education. You’ll find sessions on basic literacy, basic numeracy, workforce development, family literacy, English as a Second Language, volunteer/community-based literacy, correctional education, and many more. This year’s conference will focus on content areas such as: Improving Teaching and Learning Outcomes, Integrating Technology and Instruction, Linking Research to Practice, Promoting Adult Educators as Leaders, and Advancing Change Through Educati
on. There are also fabulous pre-conference sessions shaping up for Sunday, March 25, 2007.
Find out all the conference details at the COABE 2007 Conference site (www.coabe2007.org) and register today. Don’t miss out on “the best conference you’ll attend all year!”
Adult Education Funding Continues to Be Critical Advocacy Area
by JoAnn Weinberger, Center for Literacy, PAACE Legislative Committee Chair
State Update
On behalf of the PAACE Board, a letter was sent to the Governor requesting a meeting regarding funding for adult basic and literacy education. Throughout the Commonwealth, PAACE members, board members, volunteers, and students have been writing letters to request the Governor to propose increased funding for ABLE programs in his 2007-08 budget; this is particularly critical because of the use this year of $3.9 million in carryover funds--funds which will not be available next year. These carry-over funds have been used primarily for the Department of Education, Bureau of ABLE's match for the Move Up program and for family literacy. PAACE members should be ready for additional legislative alerts on the subject of state funding for adult education. The Governor will release his budget proposals in early February.
Although the representatives to the House of Representatives split with the Democrats leading by one, the new Speaker of the House will be a Republican. Dennis O'Brien from Philadelphia will be the new Speaker.
Federal Update
Regarding appropriations for adult education and Even Start Family Literacy for 2007-08, the new House and Senate will be determining the level of funding for the year that begins July 1. Although this decision should have been made by September 30, 2006, the spending bills were not passed. Currently, there is a continuing resolution which is in effect until February 15, 2007.
In the meantime, the President is working on his new budget, to be announced in early February. This budget recommendation will be for 2008-09 for education programs.
The new Congress will have the reauthorization of the Workforce Investment Act high on its priority list this winter. Do you have recommendations for what should or should not be in the new bill? Please let JoAnn know at weinberger@centerforliteracy.org. For example, the performance levels in the National Reporting System were created to provide accountability guidelines for all programs across the nation. Do you believe this system should be changed? How? Please use this opportunity to recommend changes.
Help for Returning National Guard and Reserve Members
by Mary Anne Varacalli, Delaware County Community College (ret.), CHE Program Division Chair
In an article in a fall edition of the Delaware County Daily Times, the Collegiate Consortium, a non-profit group consisting of Delaware County Community College; Montgomery County Community College; Bucks County Community College; Camden County College; Community College of Philadelphia and Drexel University, announced a $500,000 initiative to retrain National Guard and Reserve members returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. This federal funding came from the Department of Defense Appropriations Act signed into law by President Bush on September 29, 2006
The “Delaware Valley Continuing Education Initiative for National Guard and Reserves” will benefit hundreds of area Guard and Reserve members by providing job skills training and continuing education as well as assisting service members and civilian personnel displaced by base closures. Joseph P. Welsh, chief executive officer of the consortium, said the initiative was created because of concerns that there are no programs geared toward helping service members gain the education needed to reenter the workforce.
Based on the consortium’s past program to train Philadelphia Navy Yard workers, the new initiative will reach out to veterans agencies and local base officials to identify military personnel who are eligible.
Welsh said until the consortium determines the specific demand for skills training and courses, it is difficult to forecast how long the program will last. He said any military personnel who wish to take advantage of the initiative should notify their base official or go to the CareerLink in their area.
Taken from article “Jump-starting life after Iraq” – Delaware County Daily Times, October 25, 2006
Family Literacy
Mansuetti Accepts Job at ABLE Bureau
by Destiny Myers, TIU 11, PAACE Communications Committee Chair
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| Susan Mansuetti |
We would like to thank Susan for her service on the PAACE board and wish her continued success with her new position.
Thinking About Creating a Web Page? Learn How at Verizon Literacy Network
The Verizon Literacy Network has added a technology category that includes online courses to help you brush-up or develop new technology skills. These lessons may be appropriate for learners that you are currently working with or could be adapted to create lessons that integrate technology skills. These short, online courses include many useful topics such as:
- Adding Media Files to PowerPoint Presentations - make your PowerPoint presentations more interesting and engaging by adding multi-media
- Create Your First Web Page - instructions for creating a single page that you can put on the Web
- Participating in Discussion Lists - tips for successful participation in discussion lists
- Writing a Proposal for a Technology Grant - guidelines for creating a grant that will be easy for your grantor to understand and evaluate.
For more information, visit http://literacynetwork.verizon.org/Technology.157.0.html.
PAACE's Strategic Plan: How Have We Done?
by Tana Reiff, Lancaster-Lebanon IU 13, PAACE 2nd Vice-President
PAACE operates under bylaws, an operations manual, and a strategic plan. February 2007, as new officers are installed, marks the end of the three-year plan that was developed beginning in 2004. Through several revisions and updates, it’s now time to review our accomplishments. Thanks to all of the PAACE board members who participated in activities related to strategic-plan goals. The board really stepped up as we worked without an executive director and with the president living in Florida, not to mention while holding “day jobs,” and many people did a whole lot more than what is described here.
Goal 1 – To improve the board structure and board development
Objectives:
• Revise operations manual: This turned out to be a much larger task than anticipated, as it is a basis for future work. A task force was formed, consisting of Constitution, Bylaws and Resolutions Committee chair Barbara Van Horn, along with Lori Keefer (who replaced Tana Reiff), Mary Hohensee, Mary Anne Varacalli, and Mary Kay Peterson. To date, revisions to several sections are in draft and we have a "side by side" showing the original manual, suggested revisions, and corresponding bylaws. The new executive director will be involved in completing the OM revision.
• Develop an orientation packet: In the absence of an executive director, the task was reassigned to the executive committee, which had its hands full with many other responsibilities. Development of board orientation in some form will be an early assignment for the new executive director.
• Engage more members in committees: President Debbie Hrach asked each committee chair to add one new committee member. While some chairs have garnered valuable assistance from PAACE members, no listing of new committee members has been presented. Meanwhile, however, more than 40 PAACE members are participating in the COABE 2007 Planning Committee.
• Develop process for soliciting and placing volunteer committee members: Debbie Hrach posted a solicitation for new committee members to the PAACE e-mail list but, due to low response, no formal referral process was developed. (Note: Volunteers are always welcome! We will find a place for you!)
• Explore various options for board meetings to increase accessibility and save money: We explored videoconferencing, Web conferencing, and more economical use of conference calls. PAACE treasurer Mary Hohensee found a low-cost conference-calling plan, which we adopted, saving PAACE thousands of dollars per year in conference calls and board travel expenses. We plan to hold at least three board meetings each year via conference call and will continue to consider Web conferencing.
Goal 2 – To expand the PAACE Board’s advocacy function
Objectives:
• Educate members on issues and activities to pursue: The Legislative Committee made this its ongoing mission. Chair JoAnn Weinberger continues to post frequent “legislative alerts” to the PAACE e-mail list; expanded and communicated with our point-of-contact network; and organized advocacy sessions at PAACE Midwinter Conferences, as well as a policy panel for COABE 2007. During the spring of 2006, the Legislative Committee and the three Regional Reps organized six advocacy training workshops throughout the state.
• Expand the advocacy function of higher education: Continuing Higher Education Division director Mary Anne Varacalli brought the matter to CEA/PA, which did not produce interest in having a legislative co-chair.
• Identify discrete stakeholders from business and industry: Corporate sponsorship was solicited for the COABE conference PAACE is hosting in Philadelphia.
• Provide elected officials with information on issues and positions: PAACE conducted two postcard campaigns, with state and federal versions. We printed 40,000 of each postcard and distributed them to agencies for local distribution and mailing to legislators.
• Solicit opinions from candidates relating to PAACE issues: Questions on issues relating to adult education were sent to presidential candidates in 2004 and to senatorial and gubernatorial candidates in 2006. Responses were published on the PAACE website, with links from PAACE News.
Goal 3 – To identify membership benefits
Objective:
• Identify membership expectations: Membership Committee chair Suzanne Webster conducted a member survey. Of 70 responses, the most important benefit was the reduced conference fee, followed by advocacy and professional development opportunities, networking, and PAACE News. Among the 50 written responses, 14 were interested in regional face-to-face networking. (The advocacy workshops, under Goal 2, addressed that.) 18 listed that they were happy with the benefits or didn’t have any changes they would like.
Goal 4 – To have an integrated consistent data management system
Objectives:
• Develop interactive Web database for membership management, tied to conference registration database: Technology Committee chair Scot Mentzer developed a Web database of PAACE members, using a spreadsheet that Membership Committee chair Suzanne Webster developed from the existing one. The online database is password-accessible by PAACE board members, and can produce reports and mailing lists. New and renewal memberships may be done via a Web form, and online payment will be added in 2007.
• Develop consistent registration process for PAACE Midwinter Conference: An online registration form using PayPal® was used for the past few Midwinter Conferences. We will revisit the form and payment method for the 2008 conference, perhaps borrowing from ProLiteracy’s COABE conference registration form.
Goal 5 – To hire a new executive director
Objectives:
• Hire a new executive director: This goal was added in 2006 after the death of Joan Leopold. A search committee consisting of the executive committee (Debbie Hrach, Chuck Klinger, Tana Reiff, Lori Keefer, Mary Hohensee) and two past presidents (Bob McNeill, Jeff Woodyard) developed a new job description and qualifications (with board input and approval), posted the position on several websites, reviewed résumés, interviewed two candidates, contacted references, and recommended a candidate to the board.
• Comply with employment laws: The ED search committee investigated non-employee status options. The board approved the group’s recommendation to hire an independent contractor.
Read the full Strategic Plan at http://paacesite.org/web-content/PDFs/Strategic_plan_2006.pdf and if you have ideas for areas the new strategic plan should address, please submit them to any board member.
Latest Adult Education Research Presented at Eighth Pennsylvania Adult and Continuing Education Research Conference
by Gary Dean Ph.D., Indiana University of Pennsylvania, PAACE Journal Committee Chair
The Eighth Pennsylvania Adult and Continuing Education Research Conference (PA-ACERC) will be held at Penn State, Harrisburg on Saturday, February 24, 2007. This is a one-day conference that features cutting-edge research in adult, continuing, community, and distance education. There will be over 30 presentations and poster sessions at the conference. The keynote speaker will be Dr. Dan Pratt from the University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada. Dr. Pratt is well known for his work in teaching and learning, ethics, and other areas of adult education. He will speak on his work in teaching perspectives.
The PA-ACERC began in 1994 in Monroeville with joint sponsorship from Penn State, Monroeville and Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP). Subsequent conferences have been held at IUP; Penn State, State College; Temple, Harrisburg; and Widener University in West Chester. The past several conferences have been bi-annual events held at Penn State, Harrisburg. PAACE is helping to sponsor the conference this year.
Registration for the one-day conference is $45. This includes admission to all conference events, two breaks, lunch, and a copy of the conference proceedings. The proceedings includes copies of all the papers and poster sessions presented at the conference, so even if you can not attend all the sessions, you will be able to take home the articles from the all the presentations.
For more information you can access the conference website at http://citl.hbg.psu.edu/paacerc/. You can also contact Karen Karnes (KSK1@psu.edu) at Continuing Education, Penn State, Harrisburg (717-367-0511), Dr. Ed Taylor (ewt1@psu.edu) at Penn State, Harrisburg or Dr. Gary Dean at IUP (gjdean@iup.edu). We hope to see you at the conference.
PAACE Board Approves New Slate of Officers for 2007
by Mary Kay Peterson, PAACE Remote Past President
It is my pleasure to introduce to the new slate of officers for the Board of Directors of PAACE. Bringing a combination of board experience and new but familiar faces, the new slate of officers is listed below.
As you can see, PAACE continues its tradition of strong leadership dedicated to serving both the field and our learners. In the next few weeks you will receive a paper ballot. Please send your approval by marking the ballot and sending it back to me, either by mail – just fold and tape, stamp and mail – or by fax to 610 857-1579 by February 2, 2007.
Please join me in welcoming our new officers, Diane Inverso and Alex Dow, and thanking our returning officers, Mary Hohensee, Lori Keefer, Tana Reiff, and Chuck Klinger. Ongoing thanks goes, as well, to the rest of the hardworking Board of Directors. All will be instrumental in PAACE’s continuing success!
| Second Vice-President: Diane C. Inverso
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| Diane Inverso is the Director of Education for the Mayor’s Commission on Literacy (MCOL) in Philadelphia. In her work at the MCOL, Diane established and coordinated the MCOL’s Philadelphia Professional Development Center, and she currently serves as the Project Director of the Center.
Diane has extensive experience in adult educational issues such as family literacy, workforce education, professional development, English as a second language, assessment and training development. Diane is involved with the PA Association of Adult and Continuing Education, Commission on Adult Basic Education, Philadelphia Literacy Coalition, Calle Americana CareerLink Advisory Board, and ABLE Adminstrators’ Association. Diane’s recently published articles include “PDCs offer professional development options,” The Pennsylvania ABLE Staff Handbook, 1998 Edition and “Creating effective professional development,” Fieldnotes for ABLE Administrators, 2003 Edition. Diane is currently a member of the Philadelphia Workforce Investment Board.
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| Lori Keefer has worked in the field of education for 13 years and in adult education for over seven years as a tutor, trainer, coordinator, and administrator. Currently, she is the program director for Greater Pittsburgh Literacy Council. She is also a trainer with the Southwest Professional Development Center and ProLiteracy. Lori has a bachelor’s degree in Business and Economics from the University of Pittsburgh, an M.Ed. in Elementary Education from California University of PA, and has begun work in a Ph.D. program in education administration at the University of Pittsburgh.
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| Mary Hohensee has served 14 years as executive director or the Literacy Council of Lancaster-Lebanon. She also has served for six years as a site reviewer for ProLiteracy accreditation. She has a background in finance and has a CPA license. Mary has been a PAACE board member for five years. Volunteer activities include board development work and facilitating nonprofit groups in strategic planning.
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Alexander Dow is currently the Downtown Center Manager for the Greater Pittsburgh Literacy Council (GPLC). In his current position with GPLC, Alexander supervises six teachers, 20 classes, and over 800 students each program year. Alexander also represents GPLC as Vice President of the Allegheny County Community Services Advisory Council. Previously, Alexander supervised 30 volunteers and 100 students as an Area Coordinator for GPLC. Alexander also served two years as an AmeriCorps member with GPLC. He served as an after school counselor and a teacher’s assistant for over 100 students at Columbus Middle School on Pittsburgh’s North Side. Alexander graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Pittsburgh with a degree in Philosophy.
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ISAL Awarded Workforce Grant from NIFL
The Institute for the Study of Adult Literacy (ISAL) has been awarded a grant from the National Institute for Literacy (NIFL) for the LINCS Workforce Competitiveness Resource Collection. PAACE Board members Barb Van Horn and KayLynn Hamilton will work with partners from The Ohio Literacy Resource Center at Kent State University and the Center for Literacy Studies at the University of Tennessee to develop resource collections that include Workforce Education, Technology and English Language Literacy.
Geoffrey S. Lucas passed away on December 15 in Huntingdon, Pa. Geoffrey has been a contributor to the adult education field and a PAACE member. Lucas had a long career in the adult education field. For fifteen years he held various supervisory positions in the education department of State Correctional Institution Huntingdon. From 1998 - 2003 he served as school principal at State Correctional Institution Smithfield. At the time of his death, he was serving as western division chief for the Corrections Department Bureau of Correctional Education, Camp Hill. He was also a GED chief examiner in Huntingdon County. His many contributions to the corrections and adult basic education fields will be missed.
Join PAACE or Renew Membership Online
PAACE members are now able to join PAACE or renew memberships online. Thanks to the hard work of Scot Mentzer and Suzanne Webster, members can easily complete the membership form online and electronically submit the information. An online payment system will be coming soon. To access the online membership form, please visit the PAACE site at http://www.paacesite.org/web-data/Diagrams/PAACE%20Site/join.html.
44th Annual Learning Disabilities International Conference
February 14-17, 2007
David L. Lawrence Convention Center
Pittsburgh, PA
http://www.ldanatl.org/conference/index.asp
8th Pennsylvania Adult and Continuing Education Research Conference (PA-ACERC)
February 24, 2007
Penn State - Harrisburg
Middletown, PA
http://citl.hbg.psu.edu/paacerc/
Unite for Sight 4th Annual International Health Conference
Threads of Experience: Creative Spaces for Women's Learning
Northwestern University
Boston, Massachusetts
March 9 - 10, 2007
www.litwomen.org/conference.html
Commission on Adult Basic Education National Conference (COABE)
March 26 - 28, 2007
Pre-conference sessions March 25, 2007
Sheraton Philadelphia City Center Hotel
Philadelphia, PA
www.coabe2007.org
Pennsylvania Adult Corrections Education Conference
April 18 - 20, 2007
Blair County Convention Center
Altoona, PA
www.ceapa.net
Florida Literacy Conference
Orlando Marriott
Lake Mary, Florida
May 2 - 4, 2007
www.floridaliteracy.org
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: Debbie Hrach
First Vice-President: Chuck Klinger (Tuscarora Intermediate Unit 11)
Second Vice-President: Tana Reiff (Lancaster-Lebanon Intermediate Unit 13)
Secretary: Lori Keefer (Greater Pittsburgh Literacy Council)
Treasurer: Mary Hohensee (Literacy Council of Lancaster-Lebanon)
Immediate Past President: Robert McNeill (Delaware Valley College)
Remote Past President: Mary Kay Peterson
Western Regional Representative: Emmett Baxendell (Goodwill Industries of Pittsburgh)
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 (retired, Delaware County Community College)
Corrections Education Division Director:Randy Bacon (Allegheny County Prison)
ESL Division: Monica Teles Carr (Mt. Pleasant Hispanic American Center)
Family Literacy Division: Julie Shumaker (Central Susquehanna Intermediate Unit)
Tutors of Literacy in the Commonwealth: Kim Roush (Tutors of Literacy in the Commonwealth)
Workplace Education Division: KayLynn Hamilton (Institute for the Study of Adult Literacy at Penn State)
PDE Bureau of ABLE Representative: Michael Westover
Commonwealth Libraries:Eileen Kocher (ABLE State Resource Library)
Committee Chairs/Full Board list: See the PAACE website.
PAACE News Editorial Board
Destiny Myers, Tuscarora Intermediate Unit 11 Community Education Services, Editor
Debbie Hrach
Karen Mundie, Greater Pittsburgh Literacy Council
Ruth Love-Schooley, Lycoming County Library System
Tana Reiff, Lancaster-Lebanon Intermediate Unit 13
Carol Shefrin, Tuscarora Intermediate Unit 11 Community Education Services
Mary Anne Varacalli, Delaware County Community College (ret.)
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 January 19, 2007.
To submit material for PAACE News, please e-mail the editor at dmyers@tiu11.org.