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Attention, Policy Makers!(Posted September, 2000)
VALUE operates an electronic list ("e-list") which allows VALUE’s adult learner members to communicate with each other via e-mail. Members share news and discuss issues.
One of VALUE’s purposes is to help adult learners to communicate more effectively with policy makers and funders. Two events in September (International Literacy Day on September 8th and the Literacy Summit in Washington) and one this fall (the presidential campaign and elections) are opportunities for us to make suggestions to those who control adult education funding.
To give our members a chance to express their views, we asked members to complete this sentence:
"To help all U.S. adults get the education they need, public policy makers should . . . "
Shown below are two responses from members in California and New York. We invite other adult learners and supporters of adult education to discuss these questions and communicate with your policy makers and funders.
Maria Gonzalez (of San Diego, California) wrote:
(Policy makers) should put more effort on helping the kids now when they are young. That way they won't have to end up in a literacy program like us.
But for us (adult learners) now they should put more money into adult education to help adults succeed in their lives. The only way that parents can help their children is by helping themselves first. Then that way they can help someone else.
We need materials and more open-all-day adult schools. The more we can help adults improve their lives, they will do better at home and at work.
Harry Seda (of Westtown, New York) wrote:
They should pass policies to help literacy programs for adult learners and adult learners with learning disabilities. Give programs the funding sources to help adult learners . . . meet their goals. Give them the education and public resources so they can better educate themselves and educate their families. (This will) encourage the adult learners to be productive members of our society.
Encourage the students to communicate with policy makers to (provide) them the resources to learn the skills to read and write. (This will help learners) be able to be employed, to learn how to drive, and to learn how to vote in their local elections, elect a new president for the U.S., and learn how to vote in any literacy program’s annual board meetings.
Recognize that these adult learners are highly motivated individuals that need help to reach their potential. They are willing to share and teach what they have learned to their public policy makers, other students, and/or professionals. (For some, this could) possibly lead up to a paid position with a potential employer or with a literacy program . . .
I for one have learned all about computer technology, and I am willing to share what I have learned to policy makers, other students, and/or professionals to enrich their lives about literacy and its many challenges.
Revised 9/6/00