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From: Jeri Levesque <levesqjr@webster.edu>
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Subject: [NIFL-FAMILY:810] RE: Concern about federal support for Family Li
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Good Tidings to All,
Recalling an old Republican mantra about reducing the size of the federal
government it is time look to our states for innovative ways to initiate and
sustain high quality comprehensive family literacy programs. After over a
decade of federal support, it is time to validate states’ commitment to family
literacy. One solution is to develop closer relationships with K-12 systems. In
Missouri, a bill was just filed to allow public schools to establish family
literacy programs. Our strategy is to embed family literacy in the General
Funding Formula. Efforts like these are championed in other states
(Pennsylvania).
I’m sharing this information with hope that we can establish a data base of
efforts to institutionalize family literacy in state funding formulas,
educational and social services systems. Please add to our knowledge base as we
all learn to do more with less.
Jeri Levesque, Ed.D.
Project Director, Missouri Family Literacy Initiative
http://www.senate.state.mo.us/02info/bills/sb1183.htm
Current Bill Summary
SB 1183 - This act allows public schools to establish family literacy programs.
Additionally, the act adds funding for family literacy programs to the priority
list of "Statewide areas of critical need for learning and development" and
makes family literacy personnel eligible to receive a portion of the funds
already allocated to address said statewide areas of critical need for learning
and development. Also, this act allows local boards of education to include
family literacy programs in the "child at-risk in education programs" which
utilize moneys already distributed to school districts by means of the state
aid formula.
The act mandates that a portion of the state school aid appropriation to the
Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) shall be distributed by
DESE to establish and fund family literacy programs in school attendance
centers declared academically deficient or school districts declared
unaccredited or provisionally accredited. This amount shall be the lesser of
either: 5% of any increase from the total line 14 revenue
compared to the total line 14 revenue amount distributed to all school
districts in fiscal year 2002; or 1.5% percent of the total line 14
distribution. DESE will promulgate rules for the distribution of these family
literacy funds.
Additionally, the act requires the State Board of Education to make an
annual report to the General Assembly and the Governor concerning coordination
with other agencies and departments of government that support family literacy
programs.
Lastly, this act adds family literacy programs to the definition of "eligible
pupils".
Call to Action
The Bill intends to introduce permissive language into the law that will open
for school districts, especially those with provisional or unaccredited
standing, to existing funding streams that will support family literacy. We are
not asking for new funding (a bigger pie) but are accessing existing funding
streams for at-risk students. Obviously, the current state budget is facing
deep cuts, however, the Senator and other leaders feel the legislation is
essential for serving those children and their families most in need of
intensive, high quality educational services.
MOFLI is working with the Governor’s staff to include the family literacy
provisions in the Governor’s Education Package (also sponsored by Senator
Bentley). We are mustering support through out Missouri by leveraging the
communities currently served by family literacy programs.
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