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Date: Fri, 5 Feb 1999 20:05:49 -0500 (EST)
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From: Barb Van Horn <blv1@psu.edu>
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Subject: [NIFL-WORKPLACE:2514] New Policy Update on President's literacy proposal
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Alice Johnson posted the following on the NLA list:
National Institute for Literacy Policy Update
President Proposes Major New Adult Education and Family Literacy
Initiative
- January 28, 1999 -
The President today announced a major new adult education and family
literacy initiative that is included in the FY2000 budget he will
submit to Congress next week. It is part of a larger White House
effort to educate and train American workers for 21st century jobs.
"The goal of the Adult Literacy initiative," according to a White
House statement, "is to bring Presidential leadership and focus to a
pressing national problem by demanding improvements in the quality of
adult basic education programs and increasing funding to help States
both meet the new quality goals [in the Workforce Investment Act] and
serve more people."
The initiative includes the following:
+ Increasing adult education state grant funding next year by 28
percent ($103 million) to $468 million.
The increase would be used to help the nation achieve the following
four goals by the year 2005:
1. Increasing the number of full-time teachers by 20 percent;
2. Doubling the number of instructional hours per student;
3. Tripling the number of computer stations available at adult
education centers;
4. More than doubling the amount of child care and counseling services
offered by adult education programs.
+ Creating a $70 million "Common Ground" English Literacy/Civics
Initiative.
This new initiative would provide competitive grants to states and
communities affected by immigration to expand access to high-quality
English language instruction, linked to practical instruction in
civics and life skills.
+ Creating a $23 million "America Learns" Technology Initiative.
This new initiative would award grants to States working with
private-sector partners to increase adult learners' access to
technology. The initiative would incorporate technology into
instruction, starting with pilot projects in 40 communities.
+ Launching a new "High Skills Communities" Campaign.
This campaign will mobilize States and local communities to develop
strategies and measure progress towards improving literacy and
lifelong learning. This would include assessing whether or not
individuals have the literacy skills needed for jobs available in that
community. Up to 10 communities will receive awards of $50,000
annually for achieving concrete results.
+ Creating a new 10 percent Workplace Education Tax Credit.
Employers who provide certain workplace literacy, English language
instruction, and basic education programs would be allowed a 10
percent income tax credit for eligible educational expenses, with a
maximum credit of $525 per participating employee per year.
In order for these new proposals to become law, Congress must agree to
them, and provide the funding. Initial reaction from Congress was
favorable. Rep. Bill Goodling, Republican chair of the House
Education and the Workforce Committee, said, "These proposals have
merit. I hope the White House will quickly shape these proposals into
legislation as soon as possible and move them to Congress for
consideration. We will spar on a variety of education issues this
year but not these. What the President is talking about today should
enjoy broad bipartisan support."
For more information, go to the following websites:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/WH/New/Budget2000/summary.html
http://www.ed.gov/offices/OUS/Budget00/
Barbara Van Horn
NIFL-workplace list moderator
Assistant Director
Institute for the Study of Adult Literacy
The Pennsylvania State University
102 Rackley Bldg.
University Park, PA 16802-3202
PH 814.863.3777
FAX 814.863.6108
EMAIL BLV1@psu.edu
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