The New Readers of Iowa Coalition met April 2, 2002. At this meeting we discussed our history. Iowa has had a strong New Readers program for many years. The reading instructional program began in earnest in 1986, adult educators were taught methods for helping adults learn to read, and the program began to grow. In 1990 the first New Readers Congress was held in Des Moines, and that meeting has now become a tradition. For 12 straight years the new readers have come together to learn from each other, to support each other, and to make their voices heard. Following are some of the ways they have spoken.

II. Reading Activities. New readers have gone to local elementary schools, have spoken to the children, and read with them. Several times new readers have presented a session at the Iowa Reading Conference on the topic of "What it is like for that child in the back of the room?"

III. Voting. The new readers made an appointment with the Iowa Secretary of State, and met with him for nearly two hours. They shared their experiences when trying to vote or to get information about voting. The Secretary met with the new readers at their Fall 2001 conference. The participants spent the day looking over ballots and sharing their thoughts on those ballots. A summary of that activity was forwarded to the Secretary.

IV. Self-Confidence. Almost all the Iowa new readers report a great increase in self-confidence. One of the shyer new readers has taken over the summer care for her autistic grandson. She says she never would have had the courage to do that without the new readers group.

V. Better Jobs. Several new readers have shared that they were able to get higher paying jobs after gaining increased reading skill. Others felt more secure in their present jobs, and were better able to do what was asked of them.

VI. Behavior. Some new readers reported improvement in personal behavior. Because of the lack of skill, occasional "bad behavior" made life more difficult for the new readers. The new confidence they developed as their reading skills increased made life more enjoyable for them and for those with whom they live and work.

Other thoughts and comments from New Readers.

1. Sometimes people look at me funny when they find out I can't read. I don't like that.

2. In many places they won't hire you without a high school diploma. I can do the work. I just can't get the job.

3. Employers "Don't want you" if you can't read. They seem to be scared of you, like it was catching.

4. If the children have trouble in school, it is important to look at the whole family!

5. Smaller student/teacher ratio makes learning easier. The teachers have time to help you.

6. Schools are graduating students who can't read. Then they are adults who still can't read. It is like, now it isn't the school's problem any more.

7. It is really hard to take that first step, to say you can't read and go in for help. It really shouldn't be something shameful.

8. It is hard to know how to find help, where to go.

9. Look at a book with a blank page. That is how a new reader feels.

10. If adults don't know how to read, they can't help their children with schoolwork. They don't want their children to go through life like they did.

11. It takes a long time to learn.

What can WE do to help?

1. Go to school and read. This is for both good readers and those who are not so good. Teachers can correct the adults, too. That shows the children that it is okay to be corrected.

2. Share personal stories with children and in adult groups as well. And also share with parents of children with special learning needs.

3. Get active in literacy meetings, and with the state literacy council.

4. Groups of new readers could and should travel across the state sharing their stories. They should go to other states as well. They should go everywhere people will listen to them.

5. They need to reach out to others. This is very hard, and sometimes embarrassing.

6. Try to get appointed to local advisory councils and boards. Commit to participating if you join.

7. Give back. Volunteer where you can. Let people know you and see that you have talents, too.

VALUE is the national voice for New Readers. This should be funded at the federal level and by the state directors. The group needs backing and support. Without it, the group will be less effective. New Readers need this national voice.

For more information, contact Archie Willard at 513-448-3213.

Adult learners from New Jersey adult education programs participated actively in the state adult education conference held in April. This "Literacy Unites Us Institute" was run by the NJ Association for Lifelong Learning, Literacy Volunteers of America — New Jersey, and the NJ Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages/NJ Bilingual Educators. The adult learners ran workshops, participated in workshops, and received special awards.

VALUE’s Executive Director, Marty Finsterbusch, drove in from Pennsylvania to lead a workshop on "What Is Learner Leadership?" Elise Martinez and Vladilen Gimpilevich received "Student of the Year" awards from LVA-NJ. Adrienne Steward won the "Outstanding Adult Learner" award and Rachael Schlax received a scholarship from NJALL. For more information, contact Paul Jurmo at pjurmo@comcast.net.

The Consortium for Worker Education operates a GED program at the Brooklyn Public Library. Learners in that program recently got involved in several activities to protest the funding cuts in the Library’s adult education programs. They attended a demonstration at City Hall on May 7^th and wrote postcards to the Mayor and their City Council Members. The learners also took notes and have prepared a report about these activities. For information, contact Program Coordinator Althea N. Davidson at 718-694-9750 extension 256.

Calvin Miles is the President of VALUE’s Board. He is also Site Coordinator at Literacy Partners tutoring programs in New York City. He works with other adult education professionals to support the volunteer tutors and keep the sites supplied with materials. He is himself a successful former student in the program who was eventually hired as a staff member. Two years ago he was recognized for his leadership by the city’s Literacy Assistance Center. He also has served on the board of SCALE, a national organization which gets college students involved in local literacy efforts. Calvin recently met with a group of students from New York University to tell them about the Literacy Partners program and his work there. Three other adult learners also talked with the college students and read some of their own writings. For more information, contact Calvin Miles at calvinm@literacypartners.org.