[NIFL-TECHNOLOGY:2864] Message from Sandra Baxter, NIFL Interim Director

sandra.baxter@nifl.gov

Date: Fri, 23 May 2003 20:19:20 -0400 (EDT)
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Subject: [NIFL-TECHNOLOGY:2864] Message from Sandra Baxter, NIFL Interim Director
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The National Institute for Literacy (NIFL) created the online
discussion lists in 1995 to bring together literacy stakeholders -
researchers, policymakers, administrators, practitioners and students -
to discuss critical issues within the literacy field; share resources,
experiences, and ideas; ask questions of subject experts; and keep
up-to-date on literacy issues. NIFL partners with national literacy
organizations who provide knowledgeable staff to facilitate the
discussion lists. These volunteer facilitators strive to encourage
active discussion on the subject of the list.  NIFL funds the
discussion lists through LINCS, using funds appropriated to the NIFL by
Congress.

Recently, some messages submitted to discussion lists either didn't
appear or were returned to their senders.  This happened because they
encouraged political advocacy, and federal law prohibits the use of
appropriated funds to support advocacy.  In response to concerns raised
about these messages, NIFL implemented automated filters to block
advocacy messages as a temporary means of ensuring NIFL's compliance
with federal law while continuing to maintain the discussion lists as a
resource for the field.  Unfortunately, some messages that did not
encourage advocacy also were stopped by the automated filters, and we
apologize for this.

NIFL is working with the list facilitators to develop clear guidelines
on discussion list policies.  These guidelines will be posted to the
NIFL discussion lists as soon as possible but no later than mid-June
and will be implemented by NIFL staff and list facilitators.

NIFL requests that all discussion list participants use the NIFL
sponsored lists in accordance with their intended purposes and not to
post advocacy messages. Comments, suggestions, references, and ideas
posted on the lists should serve as resources for enhancing the field's
capacity, and knowledge base.  NIFL will reserve the right to block
messages containing advocacy content and remove them from archives.  In
addition, please be reminded that views reflected by participants on
NIFL discussion lists do not represent NIFL's position.

If you have questions or concerns about the policy governing
participation in the discussion lists, please direct them to Jaleh
Behroozi at jbehroozi@nifl.gov

Participants who wish to inform the field about legislative matters or
advocate for a policy position are encouraged to use the National
Literacy Advocacy (NLA) a non NIFL discussion list sponsored by the
American Association of Adult and Continuing Education.   (Go to:
http://lists.literacytent.org/mailman/listinfo/aaace-nla.)