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LR/RI produces a bulletin roughly every two weeks in order to inform area practitioners of news, events, and calls for participation and also as a forum for posing questions, issues and discussion topics. The current bulletin is posted below. To read previous bulletins, go to Bulletin Archives.October 29, 2003 Bulletin #173
Dear Colleagues, Calls for participation, employment, funding, and conference and workshop opportunities, online and other resources. To post information, please contact LR/RI or leave a message (401-863-2839).
Janet Isserlis
NOTICES
ESOL share November 6 at 2:30 PM Genesis Center, 620 Potters Ave, Providence. focus: planning in-service/ongoing workshops for new and current ESOL teachers and tutors and discussion: Heide Wrigley et al: The Language of Opportunity: Expanding Employment Prospects for Adults with Limited English Skills; online at http://www.movingideas.org/ideas/full_cite/4010.html Adult education research share Adult education research share November 25 at 2 PM, at the Genesis Center see http://www.brown.edu/lrri/researchshare.html to learn more, or contact LR/RI. Calls for participation in new research projects will be posted shortly. At our October meeting, Rosalind Davidson, a developer of the National
Institute for Literacy's website on assessment and reading profiles, http://www.nifl.gov/readingprofiles
walked us through the site, which is based on data from the 1997-99 Adult
Reading Component Study.
November's meeting will focus on introducing new projects, and sharing
information from the recent symposium held at Rutgers University
State Adult Education Conference - Thursday, April 22, 2004. calls for participation online at http://www.brown.edu/lrri/conference04.html From the Peopleís School: "The Wrath of Math" convener: Will Shapiro, 742-0503 where: Mondays, 3-4:30, People School Space @CityArts!, 891 Broad Street, starting November 3 - Bob Moses, civil rights leader and educator, said "Math illiteracy affects Blacks and other minorities much, much more intensely, making them the designated serfs of the information age just as the people that we worked with in the 1960s on the plantations were Mississippi's serfs then". In this weekly workshop, regardless of creed or color, we will learn how to "read" the world of numbers. What do statistics mean? Why should I care about them? These questions, as well as any that people want to bring to the table, related to homework, GED's, bills, or whatever, will be dealt with. Not understanding math is a serious disadvantaged in the world we live in. Don't be a number.For a full set of listings and to register, go to http://www.peopleschool.org The Rhode Island Council for the Humanities presents: What is Freedom?: Stories of Life, Love, and Struggle in America http://www.uri.edu/rich/what_overview.htm (multiple events) and Film Series: http://www.uri.edu/rich/filmsched.htm Learning opportunity: adult learning and visual impairments Please join us this fall for a two-part workshop series focused on addressing the needs and strengths of adult literacy and ESOL students with visual impairments. As part of a project supported by the American Foundation for the Blind, SABES Southeast, the Adult Literacy Resource Institute and Literacy Resources/ Rhode Island are collaborating to develop these workshops to address questions and issues practitioners face in assisting adult learners with limited vision. The first part of the workshop, on November 7th from 10 to 3 at BCC in Fall River, will provide an overview of issues affected vision and aims to strengthen awareness among literacy practitioners of both needs and abilities of adult learners and also to provide some basic strategies for assisting providers who work with these learners. Participants will pursue a question, a topic or develop a strategy of their own prior to workshop two which will also feature a demonstration of a range of assistive devices and equipment for adults with limited vision. The second workshop will be held on November 21st, also at Bristol Community College. Upon completion of both workshops, participants will receive a stipend
of $100 and documentation -- descriptions of their projects and of the
workshops - will be made available through web-based publication, with
hard copies made available on an as-needed basis. A light lunch will
be provided at both sessions. To learn more, please contact Janet
Isserlis (janet_isserlis@brown.edu), Maria Elena Gonzalez (mgonzale@gis.net)
or Sally Gabb (sgabb@bristol.mass.edu). To register, call Janet Dutra
(508) 678-2811 ext. 2278
The Rhode Island Children's Crusade & The Rhode Island Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Present Family Educational Rights Workshops; Workshops are free. Tuesday October 28, 2003, 7-8pm Thompson Middle School Library/Media Center, Newport Tuesday, October 28, 2003, 7-8pm RI Children's Crusade Office, Providence Thursday, November 13, 2003, 7-8pm Woonsocket Middle School Library Media Center Tuesday, November 18, 2003, 7-8pm RI Children's Crusade Office, Providence No Child Left Behind Act Parents' Workshop Tuesday, November 4, 7-8pm
RI Children's Crusade Office, Providence. Advanced reservations are
required!
YOUTHBUILD PROVIDENCE Information Sessions YouthBuild Providence is a pre-apprenticeship program for residents of Providence between the ages of 16 à 24. YouthBuild combines 680 hours of academic preparation with 800 hours of on-site construction experience into a ten-month program designed to equip the young people of Providence with the skills necessary to begin learning any of the construction trades. Also, YouthBuild prepares its trainees for the General Educational Development test (GED), continuing education, and union apprenticeship programs. What will I get from YouthBuild Providence? An opportunity to be a part of a National Organization, Develop positive relationships., preparefor the GED test., construction trade experience or experience in a field you are most interested. Internship/Job Shadowing experience. Explore job opportunities. Bi-weekly stipend. Award money to help pay for continuing education/college readiness. Job Placement. And more! Information Session Dates for Class 7 November 7th and 21st December
5th and 19th, January 9th and 16th
Call for papers: Journal of Language, Identity, and Education
The Journal of Language, Identity and Education is seeking submissions for a special topic issue that examines sexual identities within language education (or language-in-education) contexts. Abstracts due March 1, 2004. For more information please contact LR/RI.
Rhode Island Special Interest Group of MATSOL The Rhode Island SIG is a group of professionals in ESOL and Bilingual
Education organizing under the auspices of MATSOL, in order to meet the
professional needs in the field in Rhode Island. Our purpose is to
recruit ESOL and Bilingual Education professionals in Adult ESOL, Higher
Ed, Workplace Ed, Elementary, Secondary, and Low-Incidence programs serving
English Language Learners in Rhode Island, to determine advocacy and professional
development needs. If you are interested in joining or learning more
about the Rhode Island Special Interest Group of MATSOL, you can contact
Jenifer Giroux by e-mail jgiroux@ric.edu or at 456-8794.
learning opportunities Online learning: Online learning/discussion opportunity: from David Rosen: This is an invitation to join an online discussion workgroup which is forming now and will end in December. The workgroup is intended as a focused discussion for adult education (adult literacy/ basic/secondary education and ESL/ESOL) researchers and practitioners who are interested in advising on and helping to develop an evidence-based adult education system in the US. The discussion will be based on the recently published "Establishing
an Evidence-based Adult Education System" downloadable free (as a pdf)
from the National Center for the Study of Adult Learning and Literacy
(NCSALL) Web site at http://ncsall.gse.harvard.edu/
The discussion is sponsored by NCSALL, will be moderated by me, David
J. Rosen, and will take place as an
To subscribe to this discussion workgroup, go to http://www.communityzero.com/ebae
Choose "Join," and follow the directions from there. If you have
difficulty, e-mail me at djrosen@comcast.net
and I will help you to join. The paper describes an evidence-based adult
education system, suggests a process for developing that system,
and sets out initial steps to begin that development. The authors
are not asking for a discussion as to whether or not this approach
is appropriate for our field. Instead, they are looking for
advice on how to ensure that this effort is successful.
Discussion Part One: How to Improve the Process for Developing
the System, October 14 - 24
Online learning Continuing Education Units are also available for these workshops Online learning opportunity: West Branch Technology Center announces new on-line course schedule for Fall Introduction to the GED - Participants will learn about the GED
2002 test focusing on the test structure and how the test is scored. The
course will provide an overview, teaching tips and strategies for each
section of the GED 2002 including: Language Arts -Writing, Language Arts
Reading, Social Studies, Science, and Mathematics. Course participants
will be involved in optional discussion groups, lesson activities for each
topic area, a few on-line quizzes, and the series will culminate in a final
assignment. The final assignment will be to create a lesson plan.
Start Date: September 22, 2003 End Date: October 17, 2003
Register for these activities in e-campus at http://makeashorterlink.com/?G57C142B5
.
what do you think? LR/RI has had an online survey on its site for months. Previously, those who may have come across the survey were asked to copy and paste it into an email message, or to print it and complete it. Thanks to the brilliant technical support and inservice learning provided by Brown University, the survey can now be completed on line. I'd be grateful if you could please take the time to complete it. While occasional word comes back about the work LR/RI has done, this survey attempts to be somewhat more systematic in considering the work that's done and the work that needs to be accomplished. Please complete the survey at http://www.brown.edu/lrri - scroll down and click on the link to the survey. If you lack web access and wish to complete the survey, please contact LR/RI to receive one via snail mail or fax. OVAE's "Blueprint for preparing for America's future. The Adult and Literacy Education Act of 2003" The Blueprint can be found at http://www.ed.gov/offices/OVAE/AdultEd/aeblueprint2.doc. It's been described as a document comparable to that which spawned the No Child Left Behind initiative. We should read it. funding opportunities - large and less large Applications Available for the 2004 Talbots Women's Scholarship Fund Deadline: January 15, 2004 Sponsored by the Talbots Charitable Foundation, a philanthropic program of apparel retailer Talbots the Talbots Women's Scholarship Fund is a $100,000 scholarship program that awards five $10,000 scholarships and fifty $1,000 scholarships annually to women seeking a bachelor's or associate's degree later in life. Since its inception in 1997, the fund has awarded college scholarships to 330 women ranging in age from their late twenties to their early sixties. To be eligible, applicants must be women currently residing in the US who earned a high school diploma or GED at least ten years ago; be seeking a degree from an accredited 2- or 4-year college, university, or vocational-technical school; and have at least two full- time semesters or twenty-four credits remaining to com- plete their undergraduate degree. The deadline for entries is January 15, 2004, or until one thousand eligible applications have been received. Application forms will be available at the Talbots Web site. http://www.talbots.com/about/scholar/scholar.asp Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Announces ScholarshipCompetition for Community
College Students Seeking Bachelor's Degrees Deadline: February 2, 2004
Funding Available for Community Based Research and Social Action Projects The Sociological Initiatives Foundation provides grants of $5,000 to $15,000 to support community-based research and social action projects. Areas of interest include but are not limited to social justice, social welfare, human rights, literacy, language learning and use, dialect use and curricular issues in teaching second languages and non-native languages. The Foundation is also interested in supporting research by sociologists and linguists that provide a direct benefit to communities. Complete guidelines for the September 2003 application deadline are available at http://www.grantsmanagement.com/sifguide.html. For more information, contact Prentice Zinn at http://comm-org.utoledo.edu/mailman/listinfo/colist pzinn at grantsmanagement.com or 617-426-7080. The Poverty & Race Research Action Council (PRRAC) announces another round of education reform grants in areas of social science research. PRACC is particularly interested in issues such as high classroom turnover/mobility and its disproportionate impact on low-income, minority, and farm worker students. However, other issues will be considered as well. To apply, send PRRAC a proposal outlining the planned research and methodology, the advocacy work it is designed to support, a budget, timeline, and qualifications of the researchers. Maximum grant: $10,000. No application deadline. http://www.prrac.org/grants.htm Funding Solutions for Small Nonprofit Organizations A collection of resources to help small nonprofit organizations fundraise including ways to motivate your board, sample fundraising letters, phonathon advice, and tips to improve your direct mail solicitation. http://www.nonprofit-innovations.com/
employment opportunities
ESL Instructor -Part time. Bachelors Degree required. Resume & cover by 10/31/03 to Joseph Le, SEDC 270 Elmwood Ave. Providence, RI 02907 ESL Instructor - Part time in Woonsocket. Bachelors Degree required. Resume & cover by 10/31/03 to Joseph Le, SEDC 270 Elmwood Ave. Providence, RI 02907 Substitute list: if you would like your name added to the list, please see contact LR/RI. The list needs to be updated so that it can function more usefully for teachers and programs hoping to work with them. (http://www.brown.edu/lrri/sub.html) Rhode Island Community Jobs (RICOMJOB) is a public e-mail announcement list that seeks to raise the profile of meaningful work in Rhode Island by helping non-profit and public interest employers publicize openings effectively. Anyone seeking a job that makes a difference in Rhode Island can join the list. Any non-profit, government or private sector employer advertising a paid position related to the public interest or community concerns can post a free job listing. Positions must be paid but may be part-time, full-time or temporary. To join the list as a job seeker or to post a job as an employer go to: http://www.ricommunityjobs.org Rhode Island Community Jobs is supported by the Swearer Center for Public Service at Brown University and the Rhode Island Campus Compact. If you have questions about this service, please contact us at ricomjob@brown.edu
online / resources The Fall, 2003, issue of the ERIC File from the ERIC Clearinghouse on Adult, Career, and Vocational Education is now available in PDF on the ERIC/ACVE website (http://ericacve.org/ericfile.asp?ID=2). The Director's Forum is on the closing of the ERIC Clearinghouses and there is an article spotlighting the future of the ERIC/ACVE website. There is also information about new products and farewells from staff. If you would like a paper copy, please contact Judy Wagner (wagner.6@osu.edu or ericacve@osu.edu) and we will send it out. Thanks. -- Judy WagnerÝ http://www.ericacve.org/ a, ERIC Clearinghouse on Adult, Career, and Vocational Education 1900 Kenny Road / Columbus OH 43210-1090 USA 614/292-8625; 800/848-4815 (ext 2-8625); FAX: 614/292-1260 TTY/TDD: 614/688-8734 The closing of ERIC as we've known it is an incalcuable loss for educators across disciplines. from Moving Ideas News: Skilling the American Workforce 'On The Cheap': Ongoing Shortfalls in Federal Funding for Workforce Development FROM: THE WORKFORCE ALLIANCE Robin Spence and Brendan Kiel According to this report, the federal government's investments in workforce development programs - particularly those targeting low-income adults and youth - have seen significant cuts in recent years. Notable findings include a near 30% reduction in annual funding (inflation-adjusted) for U.S. Department of Labor job training programs since the mid-1980s, translating into lost opportunities both for a significant number of American workers and for U.S. businesses that continue to suffer from shortages of skilled labor. At the same time, Washington policymakers have restructured a number of federal programs so that they are more focused on short-term "work first" activities rather than training job-seekers for 21st century jobs. http://movingideas.c.tep1.com/maabyk9aa1izXb44rKKb/ THE NEW AMERICANS produces a quarterly e-newsletter with the latest information on PBS broadcast updates, producer notes and details on outreach resources and community planning across the country. To subscribe to the email newsletter, log ontoÝ http://www.itvs.org/outreach/newamericans The number of adult learners seeking access to English language instruction exceeds the available space in classroom-based English as a second language (ESL) programs. Where instructional services are available, adults report barriers to participation including lack of time to study, childcare, and transportation issues. To meet the needs of English language learners, adult ESL programs are implementing a variety of educational opportunities including distance education. "Using Video-Based Distance Education for Adult English Language Learners" identifies advantages and challenges in using video-based education for adult English language learners, describes implementation alternatives, and suggests practical implementation strategies. In this brief, authors Sylvia Ramirez of Mira Costa College (CA) and K. Lynn Savage of City College of San Francisco (CA) describe video-based delivery systems that have been successful in their own programs. Get it on line at: http://www.cal.org/ncle/digests/video-based.htm, or contact NCLE for it. (See information below) "What do beginning adult ESL teachers, tutors, and volunteers need to know?", answers the title's question and offer resources for new practitioners in adult ESL. The FAQ describes four crucial issues related to teaching adult English language learners: Principles of adult learning, second language acquisition, issues related to culture, and instructional approaches that support language development in adults. Available on line only at http://www.cal.org/ncle/FAQS.HTM#Fourteen Q & A : "Working With Literacy-Level Adult English Language Learners"
addresses this question. The Q & A describes who literacy-level learners
are, examines the skills they need to develop, and discusses the appropriate
scope of literacy-level classes, as well as activities and techniques to
support them. Two veteran practitioners, MaryAnn Cunningham Florez and
Lynda Terrill, wrote this Q & A drawing on years of experience with
literacy-level classes. The Q & A includes an extensive bibliography
of print and online resources. It is available on line at http://www.cal.org/ncle/digests/litQA.htm.
Or contact NCLE c/o Miriam Burt National Center for ESL Literacy Education
Center for Applied Linguistics, 4646 40th Street NW Washington, DC
20015 phone: (202)362-0700, extension 200 fax: (202) 363-7204 email:
ncle@cal.org
From Barb Garner, editor: Focus on Basics Volume 3A, in March 1999, was on multiple intelligences (still available on the Web at http://ncsall.harvard.gse.edu click on publications/fob/topics) Teachers College Press is now proud to announce the publication of "Multiple Intelligences and Adult Literacy: A Sourcebook for Practitioners" by Julie Viens and Silja Kallenbach. Drawn from their NCSALL research, this breakthrough volume presents an overview of Multiple Intelligences (MI) theory along with concrete examples that educators can use in their classroom with adult literacy students. For information about the book and how to order:. http://store.tcpress.com/0807743461.shtml
From Barbara Garner Editor, Focus on Basics: Curriculum. It's at the heart of education. It reflects our educational philosophies and beliefs. What does research tell us about curriculum? How do people create it? The newest issue of NCSALL's Focus on Basics is available online at http://ncsall.gse.harvard.edu Click on the box "Newest Issue of Focus on Basics" on the home page. Articles address curriculum from the perspective of the classroom, the program, and the state. Guidelines for high quality bilingual curriculum development are included, and theories of curriculum are addressed. After you've read the issue, discuss it with peers via a moderated online discussion on the NIFL-AALPD list. To subscribe:http://www.nifl.gov/lincs/discussions/ Civics 101 - website of the RI Secretary of State, at http://www.rules.state.ri.us/civics_101/; a high school curriculum that may be adaptable for adult learners and/or useful for initiating critical reflection about citizenship and communities. The Language of Opportunity: Expanding Employment Prospects for Adults with Limited English Skills , CENTER FOR LAW AND SOCIAL POLICY: Heide Spruck Wrigley, Elise Richer, Karin Martinson, Hitomi Kubo, and Julie Strawn - This report describes the demographics and economic circumstances of low-income adults with limited English proficiency (LEP) as well as the language and job training services available to them. The authors summarize lessons from scientific evaluation research on employment programs for low- skilled adults and provide recommendations for policy and practice that would increase opportunities for LEP adults to gain access to higher-paying jobs. The appendix includes profiles of several programs that are successfully training and working with LEP adults. http://movingideas.c.tclk.net/maabqTuaa0pCpb44rKKb/ The Literacy Assistance Center announces its fall issue of the Literacy Harvest. The theme of the new issue, published in collaboration with the National Even Start Association, is Perspectives on Family Literacy and includes articles from the field on theory, program effectiveness and practice. For an electronic version of the Harvest: http://www.lacnyc.org/publications/harvest.htm from The ERIC Clearinghouse on Adult, Career and Vocational Education: new Trends and Issues Alerts
The Arlington Education and Employment Program (REEP) adult ESL instructional system: materials, lesson plans, and more: http://www.arlington.k12.va.us/instruct/ctae/adult_ed/REEP/reepcurriculum/
e-literacy: The National Institute for Literacy's electronic newsletter is online (new and archived issues) at http://www.nifl.gov/nifl/eliteracy/archive.html NIFL also maintains an online calendar of events at http://www.nifl.gov/cgi-bin/Calendar/calendar_world.cgi search LR/RI - the search function at http://www.brown.edu/lrri has been improved so that the LR/RI website is now searchable. Please try it. Let me know what you think.. Thanks to Bill Dennen at Brown for his assistance in getting it to work. Free education publications are available from ED Pubs, the U.S. Department of Education's Publications Center. To order free books, brochures, videos, and more, visit the ED Pubs Web site (http://www.ed.gov/about/ordering.jsp) or call ED Pubs toll-free at 877/433-7827. LR/RI website: a shortcut. The URL for Literacy Resources/RI's website has not changed; you can now get to it more quickly by using this new address: http://www.brown.edu/lrri/ -- with thanks to Kath Connolly and Bill Dennen at Brown University for making it so. conferences and workshops - conferences and workshops are listed chronologically and are updated with each bulletin
Rhode Island - Training/events around employment issues for people with disabilities http://www.ric.edu/uap/training.html The Student Coalition for Action in Literacy Education presents SCALE's Read. Write. Act. Conference October 31 - November 1, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill http://www.readwriteact.org/conference.html Please join us for the only national conference created specifically for campus-based literacy programs, college student tutors, program coordinators, adult learners and community partners. Come experience a terrific weekend of workshops, keynote speakers, panel discussions, networking opportunities, and reflections on issues surrounding literacy work. [If you are interested in presenting a workshop, please visit http://www.readwriteact.org/conference.html to submit a proposal.] You will have the opportunity to participate in quality workshops offered by national leaders in the literacy field. You will also meet individuals from other campus-based programs, building a new network of peers to support you in your efforts. No matter your role in campus literacy work, the Read. Write. Act. Conference will enhance your professional development and result in real program improvement. Student Rates: SCALE member schools: $75 non-member schools: $100 For more information, visit the website above, Email scale@unc.edu -or call (919) 962-1542. ProLiteracy Worldwide Conference, November 14-17, Washignton, DC http://www.proliteracy.org The First Binational Symposium of Education Researchers March 12 and 13, 2004 Mexico City, Mexico http://simposio.asu.edu Information can be obtained from: Southwest Center for Eduation Equity and Language Diversity Arizona State University PO Box 871511 Tempe, AZ 85287-1511 The theme of Mexican immigrant student dropouts in U.S. schools (K-12), under-education in Mexico, and the relationship between the two. Both qualitative and quantitative studies will be accepted. Some of the researchers involved in this effort are special education researchers. Tanya Shuy email: tshuy@nifl.gov
other events and conferences http://www.nifl.gov/cgi-bin/Calendar/calendar_world.cgi TESOL worldwide calendar of events http://www.tesol.org/isaffil/calendar/index.html
from previous bulletins: REMINDERS, RESOURCES:
SABES Resource Lists Available. From Carey Reid [full message here]: As you might know, Massachusetts now has a rigorous, stand-alone ABE teacher's license. SABES, the System for Adult Basic Education Support, is a state-wide staff development system funded by MassDOE. Ö[S]months ago I asked if NLA subscribers were interested in helping SABES build resource lists, by standard, in support of teachers seeking the new license here in Massachusetts. Many of you helped out, thank you, and we've also worked with small groups of people locally to build these 29 lists, now with over 150 resources--books, articles, websites, and videos. The lists are now available on SABES's license support website at http://www.sabes.org/license. You can get quickly to the lists by clicking on the "new resources added" link under What's New, or at any time by using the resources link on the bottom of every webpage. When you arrive at the chart listing the 29 standards, click on any standard to go to the resource list we've compiled for it. The lists are annotated; with the annotations, teachers who wish to improve their knowledge and skills in respect to a particular standard can be more assured they're getting the resource they want or need. If the resource can be viewed or downloaded on the Net, we've provided a link. Additionally, we want to improve these lists, so please email me
if you'd like to suggest additions or changes. BTW, the full list
of resources is also collected in a ProCite bibliography file, so if you
use that software and would like to have your own "instant" database, let
me know and I'll email you the file. As stated earlier, SABES is funded
by the Massachusetts Department of Education. To avoid confusion,
the website is not an official DOE site but rather one of SABES's means
of supporting license-seeking teachers in our state. Links to Massachusetts
DOE webpages, however, are provided on the site.
breathe - everyday yoga at your desk. http://www.mydailyyoga.com/yoga/everyday_yoga.html Professional development initiative: In 1998, I spent time at the RI Dislocated Worker Program, facilitating classes for teachers there so that they could have an opportunity to observe one another's classes and to reflect on their learning and teaching. (The full text of their reflections is available on the LR/RI web site at Writing from the Field - or contact LR/RI for a hard copy). Please let me know if you would like to participate in this process of professional development. All that's required is your willingness to share your reflections about the observation/learning process for others. I hope to build a block of writing and thinking about this and other forms of our own professional development both through the bulletin and the web site.
Please contact LR/RI if you have information, questions or announcements to share with adult educators in Rhode Island. Bulletins go out at least twice a month; more frequently when there's more to share. To submit information for the next bulletin, please contact LR/RI by phone (401-863-2839), mail (PO Box 1974, Brown University, Providence, RI 02912) or email. back to LR/RI home |
