adult literacy

E-Rate Also an Adult Education Issue

/ The Old Crank

An E-Rate increase has gathered some momentum over the last several months. The White House recently joined the effort by issuing a proposal (“ConnectED”) that basically outlines a vision for expanded connectivity powered by new E-Rate funds (in a nutshell: “to have 99% of American students connected to broadband Internet within five years”). More information here.

E-Rate is an interesting issue from a government education spending point of view because it’s not a legislative matter (that is, it doesn’t require Congress to act)—it only requires FCC approval.

Most of the attention on E-Rate is focused on K-12 schools, but it’s worth keeping an eye on from an adult education policy perspective as well, because public libraries are covered by the program. Faster/better connectivity at public libraries provides a benefit to adult leaners—particularly those enrolled in library-based adult education programs, of course, but also self-studiers (a population that adult education policy folks often forget about—a story for another day), or any learner enrolled in a program anywhere who uses their local public library for supplementary study outside of class. Back in June, ALA issued statement in support of the administration’s ConnectEd proposal that noted the role that library broadband connectivity plays in adult education:

“At any given point in the day a library can enable: a student live-chatting with an online tutor for homework help, a parent communicating with his child’s teacher via the online course management system, a high school student taking an Advanced Placement course online, a small class taking an online GED training course, students of all ages participating in real-time distance learning and a professional completing a recertification course. These are just a few of the Internet-based services the E-rate program helps support in America’s libraries. Virtually all public libraries provide no-fee access to computers and the Internet, including WiFi.” (my emphasis)

What would be even better, of course, would be an E-Rate program that allowed community-based adult education programs to apply for the discount as well as schools and libraries.

Poor Vision and Adult Literacy

/ The Old Crank / 1 Comment

Shouldn’t a vision test and free or subsidized vision correction be an automatic, integrated part of all adult literacy services? I’m not suggesting that adult literacy programs typically have the resources or staff qualified to provide eye tests, but somehow, at the very least, working with a local clinic or partner organization, a vision check should be a part of every incoming student’s initial assessment. I know that many programs ask about this and make references and some may do more, but it seems so fundamental to reading success that it ought to be a standard best practice at all programs.

Even trickier is what to do when the person does turn out to needs glasses: again, in a sane universe, any adult learner who can’t afford glasses should be able to acquire them for free or at a deeply subsidized cost, but this is not how it always works out in the actual universe.

WIA Authorization – All the Drafts, All in One Place

/ The Old Crank / 1 Comment

The National Skills Coalition (NSC) has recently updated their extremely thorough and helpful Workforce investment Act (WIA) page with the 2013 Senate HELP Committee’s recently-released draft bill.

Of particular interest for adult education and adult literacy people:

NSC notes that while there are some differences between the 2011 and 2013 drafts, “the new staff draft has generally remained relatively similar to the 2011 draft.” That is consistent with what I’ve heard from others who have read through it (I have not read any of it other than Title III). NSC also reports that “it is our understanding that certain key issues—including potential consolidation language—are still being negotiated (and may or may not be included in a final draft of the committee bill).” That’s consistent with some off-the-record comments I’ve heard from people involved in WIA reauthorization going back to last year.