WHAT’S NEW at Literacy New York
Week of August 9, 2010
Adult Literacy Statistics
Adult Literacy in New York (Educational Testing Service) states the “literacy can be thought of as a currency in this society. Just as adults with little money have difficulty meeting their basic needs, those with limited literacy skills are likely to find it more challenging to pursue their goals—whether these involve job advancement, consumer decision making, citizenship, or
other aspects of their lives.
Even if adults who performed in the lowest literacy levels are not experiencing difficulties at present, they may be at risk as the nation’s economy and social fabric continue to change. Beyond these personal consequences, what implications are there for society when so many individuals display limited skills? ...... it seems apparent that a nation in which large numbers of citizens display limited literacy skills has fewer resources with which to meet its goals and objectives, whether these are social, political, civic, or economic.
If large percentages of adults with limited reading skills had to do little more than be able to sign their name on a form or locate a single fact in a newspaper or table, then the (low) levels of literacy ... might not warrant concern. We live in a nation, however, where both the volume and variety of written information are growing and where increasing numbers of citizens are expected to be able to read, understand, and use these materials.”
Basic facts about Adult Literacy in the United States (from ProLiteracy 2010):
- Literacy is the ability to read, write, compute, and use technology at a level that enables an individual to reach his or her full potential as a parent, employee, and community member.
- In the U.S., 30 million people over age 16 — 14 percent of the country’s adult population — don’t read well enough to understand a newspaper story written at the eighth grade level or fill out a job application.
- The United States ranks fifth on adult literacy skills when compared to other industrialized nations.
- Adult low literacy can be connected to almost every socio-economic issue in the United States:
- More than 60 percent of all state and federal corrections inmates can barely read and write.
- Low health literacy costs between $106 billion and $238 billion each year in the U.S. — 7 to 17 percent of all annual personal health care spending.
- Low literacy’s effects cost the U.S. $225 billion or more each year in non-productivity in the workforce, crime, and loss of tax revenue due to unemployment.
Emerging Technologies in Adult Literacy and Language Education
a new publication by Mark Warschauer and Meei-Ling Liaw, June 2010, is available from the National Institute for Literacy
From the Executive Summary
“Although information and communication technologies have become an integral part of life in the United States, they have not yet been adequately integrated into adult language and literacy programs. This raises concerns because of the potential value of technology for enhancing learning and because of the vital role of technological proficiency as a gatekeeper for occupational success and full civic participation...This paper describes the potential contribution of emerging technologies to adult literacy and language education and the opportunities and challenges involved in incorporating these technologies into programs...We believe that these emerging technologies can help diverse adult learners to develop both the language and literacy skills and the proficiency with new media required to fully participate in a rapidly evolving information society.”
Congress Declares National Adult Education and Family
Literacy Week 2010
(from the National Coalition for Literacy)
WASHINGTON - The National Coalition for Literacy (NCL) invites you to join them in celebrating National Adult Education and Family Literacy Week, September 13-17, 2010. This Congressional declaration, H. Res 1472, was sponsored by Rep. Jared Polis [D-CO] and is the culmination of literacy advocacy and outreach resulting in twenty co-signers in the House.
Adult education and family literacy programs serve adult learners who need to improve their basic literacy and math skills, improve their oral and written English, practice for the GED test to attain a high school equivalence degree, and prepare for community college or vocational training. According to the latest national survey of adults, over 93 million American adults have Basic or Below Basic literacy skills that limit their ability to advance at work and in education, help their children with school work, interact with their health care professionals, and participate fully in their communities.
Health Literacy
According to the recently released National Action Plan to Improve Health Literacy, The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) reports that “nearly 9 out of 10 adults have difficulty using the everyday health information that is routinely available in our health care facilities, retail outlets, media, and communities. Without clear information and an understanding of prevention and self-management of conditions, people are more likely to skip necessary medical tests. They also end up in the emergency room more often, and they have a hard time managing chronic diseases, such as diabetes or high blood pressure. Limited health literacy affects people of all ages, races, incomes, and education levels, but the impact of limited health literacy disproportionately affects lower socioeconomic and minority groups.”
Included in the report’s seven goals and strategies to improve health literacy is the “support and expansion of local efforts to provide adult education, English language instruction, and culturally and linguistically appropriate health information services in the community.
“Many of the strategies highlight actions that particular organizations or professions can take to further these goals. By focusing on health literacy issues and working together, we can improve the accessibility, quality, and safety of health care; reduce costs; and improve the health and quality of life for millions of people in the United States.” (see the full report at: www.health.gov/communication/HLActionPlan/)
Literacy Volunteers of Rensselaer County (LVRC) Program - Making a Difference
Shay Harrison, Ph.D., Director of Operational Development at Blasch Precision Ceramics in Albany says their workers/students’ lives are “changing professionally and personally” thanks to LVRC. See the full story on how Literacy Volunteers are “Making a Difference.”
Tutor Award at LV Clinton County
Celine MacDougall, Literacy Volunteers of Clinton Co. tutor received the 2010 Polly Parsons award. Read LV Clinton Board President Jerry McGovern’s wonderful words celebrating Celine’s long-time dedication to helping adult learners reach their goals. Full story.
LNY Working to Restore Adult Literacy Education Funding
Supporters of Literacy New York have been sending the following message to NYS Senators and Assemblymembers via LNY’s CapWiz advocacy site. Anyone in NY can help by sending a message from http://www.capwiz.com/lvanys/state/main/?state=NY
LNY’s message:
Dear Senator__________ or Assembly member__________:
I am writing to ask you to restore funding for the Adult Literacy Education (ALE) program in the State Budget. ALE supports volunteer-base organizations, libraries, and adult education groups statewide to provide adult literacy services to adults in our communities.
With over 22% of New Yorkers having below basic literacy skills and the current economic climate forcing workers to learn new skills and enter job training, it is counterproductive to cut funding to local, community-based literacy programs. Our programs are at the forefront of helping adults keep their jobs, transition to new jobs, get better jobs, help their children in school, and fulfill their social and civic responsibilities.
The budget proposal advanced by the Governor and concurred with by the Senate and Assembly would cut funding to literacy programs by 32% over last year and down 38% with our previous cut under the Deficit Reduction Plan. A cut of more than $2 million, or approximately one-third of State funding to adult literacy programs around New York would severely and negatively impact our ability to provide literacy tutoring services to thousands of learners statewide who are currently engaged in developing and strengthening their reading proficiency. In addition, the tens of thousands of New York adults and workers who will require basic literacy, math, new job skills and educational opportunity will find many doors closed.
While I understand that New York State faces unprecedented budget deficits and must seek cost savings, we must also create jobs, help displaced workers secure new employment, and ensure that the 22% of adults in our State with below basic literacy skills have the opportunity to provide for themselves and their families.
Don't CLOSE THE BOOK on literacy! Our programs are the most cost effective providers in the state and provide exceptional service by matching NY State funds with thousands of hours of volunteer tutoring time. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the annual value of contributed volunteer time is approximately $6.5 million.
I urge you to restore Adult Literacy (ALE) funds in the State Budget so we can continue to help the people in our communities with the most fundamental and basic educational needs.
Sincerely,
(name/ address)
White Eagle 2010
The Summer Training Institute (June 7–11) at the White Eagle Conference Center (Hamilton, NY) was very successful with over 110 LNY network staff, board, trainers in attendance. Workshops included: Training of Trainers, ASISTS (database) Training, National Reporting System (NRS) Strategies, Math Basics Training of Trainers, BEST Plus Test Administration, and TABE (Test of Adult Basic Education) Administration.
At the Plenary Session on Friday, Rosemary Matt, NYS Director of Accountability, discussed data reporting and strategies and Robert Purga, NY State Education Department (NYSED) detailed new and ongoing NYSED initiatives for the 2010-2011 program year and updated progress in the Literacy Zones.
Regional Project and New Intake to Exit Process
New Intake procedures for enrollment, referral and matching have been developed and are being implemented at affiliates involved in the LNY Regional Project. Standardized systems and a schedule for post-testing and follow up have been implemented to track student achievement.
The new, standardized Intake procedures are showing positive and consistent results throughout the network, resulting in significant improvement in affiliate efficiency and effectiveness – as demonstrated by the improved NRS results and community impact.
