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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.

September 15, 1998

Bulletin #51

Dear Colleagues,

New announcements, staff development information, employment opportunity, and notice of upcoming meetings. To post information, please contact me at LR/RI or leave a message (863-2839).

Thanks.

Janet Isserlis

____________________________________________________________

NOTICES

Sharing/discussion group for educators with an interest in women's issues in adult education will be held Thursday, October 1st , at 1 PM at the Rochambeau Branch library on Hope Street, in Providence. Please join us in as we continue planning for a half-day conference concerning women and learning to be held in March, and to continue our conversations about women, literacy and learning.

The Adult Literacy Council will meet on Tuesday, Oct. 6 from 11:30 to 1 at the Genesis Center, 720 Potters Ave. Legislative representatives and staff and learners from programs will be meeting to exchange ideas and concerns around adult education in the state. Please RSVP to LR/RI by October 1.

A Pronunciation Workshop for educators with an interest in ESOL in adult education will be facilitated by Nancy Fritz and Sandy Jacobi on Tuesday, October20 at 3 PM at the Genesis Center, 620 Potters Avenue, Providence.

Participants sought for heath and literacy survey: The Practitioner Dissemination and Research Network is looking for practitioners who are interested in completing a short, 39 question survey for a NCSALLstudy on the use of health related issues in literacy learning environments. Any practitioners who have used health-based lessons in their ABE or ESOL classes or who are interested in doing so can obtain a copy of the survey and description of the research project by contacting David Hayes at by phone at 331-9261.

Passing the US Citizenship Exam - Starting September 12, free classes at the LVA Center - Literacy Volunteers of Washington County, Westerly Public Library, 44 Broad Street. Saturdays, from 9 to 11 AM. Call (401) 596-9411 to register or come to a class.

Nursing Assistant and Medical Office Skills programs are available Tuesday and Thursday evenings through the Cranston Area Career/Technical Center. Tuition is $65; courses run about 4 months for nursing assistant and from October through May for Medical Office Skills. Students may take only one course per semester and only those interested in obtaining employment or upgrading job skills may enroll. GED, ABE and ESOL courses are also available, as is free vocational assessment. Call 785-8166. Registration begins September 14, classes start in October.

Windows95 & Microsoft Word97, an introductory course at International Institute of RI. Saturday mornings (9:00 - 12:00) and Afternoon (12:30 - 3:30). Both classes run for 8 weeks; the tuition is $100 includes Registration and Lab fees. Textbook is not included; limit15 people per class. Registration for the next afternoon session is open now until September 30. The class will begin on October 3. For morning class info, please call 784-4610. The International Institute of RI is located at 645 Elmwood Avenue, Providence, RI 02907.

HRIC English for Work Program: ESL with a workplace-centered content. Students should be 18 years or older, and should be currently employed but in need of more English skills in order to advance on the job; or unemployed and looking for work. Classes are held at the International Institute of Rhode Island, Mondays through Thursdays, 9:30 to 11:30 am or 7:00 to 9:00 pm. Cost is $35 per month. To register, contact Julie Fischer at 784-4607.

Shomari S. Husband, a counselor at the RI Educational Opportunity Center (RIEOC) is able to provide information about services provided by the EOC, including assistance with financial aid and admissions applications, career counseling, scholarship information, and other services to help students decide what they want to do and the college they would like to go to. If you would like to know more or are interested in having a counselor give a presentation to your class or group, please contact Shomari Husband at (401) 455-6031, or via email at shusband@ccri.cc.ri.us.

Preparing for the November Elections: From Literacy to Action is the second Voter Education, Registration and Action (VERA) Institute, being held on Saturday September 26 from 9 to 4 at Northern Essex Community College, Lawrence Campus, MA. Workshops covering National Election issues, skills building for political participation as well as an afternoon performance by singer/songwriter Charlie King are planned. Registration is free, but required as the Institute is limited to 60 participants on a first come, first served basis. Deadline to register is September 16. A listing of workshops and registration forms are available at LR/RI, or contact Marie Horchler at World Education, (617) 482-9485.

conference, September 28: Using Functional Context Education and Intergenerational Approaches to Improve Workforce Development ($50.00 before 9/15,$65.00 after 9/15). Dr. Thomas Sticht, researcher and advocate for literacy education and training, will assist practitioners in gaining an understanding of what Functional Context Education is, how programs are successfully integrating it into workforce and literacy programs and how you can change/improve your practice as an adult education professional. For information/to register, contact: Georges Marceau, Tom Sticht Conference, Central New York Staff Development Consortium, 6075 E. Molloy Rd.Syracuse, NY 13211 Phone: 315-437-4253 Email: CNYSDC@aol.com .

conference: Literacy Liftoff '98 - Literacy Volunteers of America, the National Institute for Literacy and the National Alliance of Urban Literacy Coalitions - Houston, October 22 to 24. Early registration, due by September 18 is $195 for members and $225 for non-members. Students can go for $100. For information please contact lvanat@aol.com or LVA, INC, ATTN: Conference Manager, 635 James Street, Syracuse, NY 13202. Complete registration information, including pricing for Pre-Conference and single-day attendance, is on-line at http://www.literacyvolunteers.org Discounted travel arrangements are available; phone (800) 472-7447 and identify yourself as an LVA '98 participant. To receive the brochure by mail, e-mail a request to LVANAT@aol.com, fax (315) 472-0002, or phone (315) 472-0001 x200.

Secretary's Award for Outstanding Adult Education and Literacy Program - The US Dept of Education will recognize outstanding adult education programs, anticipating three or four awards to be made in its four administrative areas. The Department will focus on comprehensive program models featuring promising practices in family literacy, workplace literacy, out of school youth, welfare or corrections. Nominated programs cannot have received the Secretary's award within the past 5 years. The deadline for submitting nominations to Bob Mason is September 21. If you have not received forms and would like to nominate a program, please contact Bob Mason or LR/RI.

NETWORK '98 Massachusetts Coalition for Adult Education (MCAE) 1998 conference, October 28-29 at the Royal Plaza Hotel, Marlborough, MA. Workshops in the areas of health, math, civic/economic literacy, curriculum innovations, GED/diploma programs, technology, ESOL, family literacy and workplace education, as well as plenary sessions and exhibition hours. Early registration due by October 2; $45/day MCAE members, $65/day for non-members; $75/day after 10/2/98. For more information, contact LR/RI or MCAE at 1-800-339-2498.

For information about MATSOL (Massachusetts ESOL) professional development events (held on Saturdays) contact LR/RI, and cover workplace learning, standards and assessment, bilingual and ESL education. Registration is required; events are held at various locations throughout Massachusetts.

THE CHANGE AGENT is looking for an editorial assistant for its next issue on the theme of WORKING ACROSS DIFFERENCES - related to race, culture, class, gender and sexual orientation. Responsibilities: procure and edit articles in consultation with volunteer authors; co-facilitate two editorial board meetings; research and write one or more articles, and develop supplementary activities. Qualifications: excellent writing and communication skills; experience in editing other people's writing; background in adult literacy, GED or ESOL, committment to social justice. People of color are strongly encouraged to apply. Compensation: $20/hr, up to 125 hours on a flexible schedule, Septeber, 1998 to February, 1999. Send letter, resume and writing sample to Silja Kallenbach, NELRC/World Education, 44 Farnsworth Street, Boston, MA 02210 phone: 617-482-9485, fax: 617-482-0617, email: skallenbach@worlded.org.

CALL FOR ARTICLES for The Change Agent newspaper (see theme description, above)

Educators, Adult Learners: We want to hear your opinions, ideas and experiences in and outside of the classroom on this theme. We look for different kinds of writings: learning project descriptions, sample lessons, book and movie reviews, personal stories, interviews, dialogues, plays, poems, math activities. And we are always in search of cartoons, drawings, graphs, photographs. The mission of The Change Agent is to provide, in the form of a low cost newspaper, news, issues, ideas and other teaching resources that inspire and enable adult educators and learners to make civic participation and social justice related concerns part of their teaching and learning. It is published by the New England Literacy Resource Center. Please send your writings (on PC disk, if possible) and pictures or drawings to: Marie Horchler NELRC/World Education, 44 Farnsworth Street, Boston, MA 02210 phone: 617-482-9485 fax: 617-482-0617 email: mhorchler@worlded.org

Please let us know your intent to submit by October 31. All articles must be received by November 20, 1998. All articles will be considered. Final decisions about content are made by The Change Agent Editorial Board. We also welcome referrals to people and programs working on projects related to the theme of this issue.

Preparing for the new Millennium: Creating a Lifelong Learning System for all adults National Association of Adults with Special Learning Needs 8th annual conference, September 23-26, St. Louis, Missouri. Full conference (members) $150, (non-members) $195, with prices decreasing if with varying meal options. Sessions on accommodations, promising practices, advocacy and other key issues. Information: contact LR/RI or email dglass@ksbe.state.ks.us

Native Armenian adult GED student seeking English tutor for twice a week sessions. Willing to trade languages--will teach Armenian and/or Turkish in exchange for English. Also willing to negotiate salary. Contact Ani at 401-353-7575.

volunteer opportunity

The Rhode Island Family Literacy Initiative, a library based literacy program, needs volunteers. The initiative offers classes in most RI libraries. In the East Bay we need volunteers for 2 classes, East Providence (6:30-8:00) and Warren (10:30-12:00). Both classes are Tuesdays and Thursdays, starting October 6, 1998 for 10 weeks. Volunteers will receive training on teaching methods and more. We focus on beginner to intermediate ESL, offering conversation, written and computer literacy for adults. Meanwhile, we offer preschool and school aged programs while adults are learning. For volunteer information contact Kristen McKenna at 434-2719. Please pass the word on to interested students as well. We are directly associated with the Providence Public Library's literacy programs; for more information about area programs contact Debbie Peterson at 455-8016 or email dpeterson@edgenet.net

THE COUNCIL FOR ADULT AND EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING 1998 INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE - LEARNING IN THE FAST LANE: Any time, any place, anywhere November 5-7, 1998, Crowne Plaza, Phoenix, Arizona.

New technologies are revolutionizing educational and training institutions, putting the adult learner in control and challenging educational providers to rethink curricula, instruction, assessment, support services, quality, and costs. The Conference will focus on Technology, an area addressed by Recommendation III from the report engendered by the Commission for a Nation of Lifelong Learners. Sessions will focus on: Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) technological support for students, Workplace learning, Interactive and asynchronous learning strategies, On-line and computer-based services, Lifelong learning implementation, Public policy and PLA, Cultural diversity and lifelong learning, Adult learning theory and assessment. Contact 1-888-734-CAEL (2235) for more information (until October 30, 1998),or online: HTTP://WWW.CAEL.ORG/CONFWORK/INDEX.HTM

GRADUATE SCHOOL TUITION HELP FOR NEW AMERICANS

November 30 is the deadline to apply for graduate tuition help from the Paul & Daisy Soros Fellowships for New Americans (online at http://www.pdsoros.org). Eligible candidates must be between the ages of twenty and thirty (not older than 30 as of November 30, 1998.); candidates must hold a Green Card or have been naturalized as a US citizen or be the child of two parents who are both naturalized citizens. Information is available by contacting Soros Fellowships at: 400 West 59th St., NY, NY10019; Phone: 212/547-6926; Fax: 212/245-8381; email: pdsoros_fellows@sorosny.org.

Charles Kernaghan, director of the National Labor Committee, is scheduled to speak at Leung Gallery at Brown University on Monday, September 28 at 8:00 p.m. A vigil/rally against child labor and sweatshops will take place that same day from 5-6 p.m.at the Wal-Mart in Seekonk, MA on Rt. 6, at which Kernaghan and several Rhode Island clergy members will speak. For more information contact Chuck Schwartz, at the Institute for Labor Studies and Research, 463-9900. 

The U.S. Postal Service has released its Fund the Cure stamp to help fund breast cancer research. It is important that we contribute what we can to cure this disease that kills and disfigures so many women. It is also important that we enhance public awareness to keep women vigilant of this potential deadly harm. Instead of the normal $.32 for a stamp, this one costs $.40. The additional $.08 will go to breast cancer research. If all stamps are sold, an additional $16,000,000 will have been raised for vital, life-giving research. Just as important as the money is our support.

Office of Training and Development Social Service/Counseling Course list has been posted, and includes sessions on lead poisoning, trauma, conflict resolution, violence and other topics. For information, please contact LR/RI.

employment opportunity

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES AT THE GENESIS CENTER:  

FULL TIME ESOL INSTRUCTOR NEEDED IMMEDIATELY!:  

QUALIFICATIONS: At least two years of post secondary study, including education course work including English as a Second Language; at least 1 year experience teaching ESOL with adults;  experience with urban neighborhoods/populations; flexibility and creativity a must.   Ability to work some evenings required  

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES: Provide learner centered ESOL instruction for both intermediate and high intermediate adult classes;  help developing curriculum units to integrate preparation for employment training and work with ESOL instruction; work with team of teachers to carry out classroom inquiry and reflective practice;  work with Case Manager to create individual occupational plans; support follow up with all learners.  

TENTATIVE SCHEDULE FOR WORKING & CLASSES: 27.5 hours per week; Monday & Friday, 12:00 to 6 p.m.;  Tues., Wed., Thurs., 2:30 p.m. to 8:30  (27.5 hours, 1/2 hour for lunch;  full benefits provided; 10 months, until June 20, 1999; possibility of 3 year employment on this contract)

ALSO, PART TIME ESOL INSTRUCTOR POSITION - 20 HOURS - FIVE DAYS - FOUR HOURS PER DAY - TWO HOURS TEACHING, TWO HOURS CASE MANAGEMENT & PREP PER DAY   INTERESTED APPLICANTS CONTACT: SALLY GABB, DIRECTOR OF ADULT EDUCATION, THE GENESIS CENTER, 781 - 6110  

new on the website:

Legislation - the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (HR 1385) - has been linked to LR/RI's homepage. Information about finding texts of legislation is on the home page as well as a direct link to HR 1385.

ESOL - links to ESOL sites around the web, as well as teaching ideas from an area practitioner.

Making Connections across culture: Critical reflection on a feminist adult education resource - by Arlene Wells. A report on a research project that examines the way in which one feminist literacy resource does and doesn't accommodate the needs, strengths and cultures of women learning and teaching in adult literacy programs. The report moves beyond an analysis of one curriculum document into a careful reflection of the ways that race, class, and gender (among other things) interlock and contribute to helping or hindering women's learning. The welfare reform page has been updated, as have other pages around the site. Please contribute your input and feedback to the site.

Program start up - If you are aware of information about programs resuming/continuing, please contact LR/RI. The most recent available information about/listing of programs appears on LR/RI's website, but special funding and projects, and particular start up dates often change from year to year. If you're interested in a particular program, it's best to contact the agency offering that program. If your agency is offering a new program, looking for staff or otherwise wanting to share information through the bulletin, please contact LR/RI.

REMINDERS, RESOURCES:

The National Center for the Study of Adult Learning and Literacy has recently released a set of informative fact sheets outlining for practitioners and others the projects with which NCSALL researchers are currently engaged. Project histories, plans, and implications for practice are all highlighted in the fact sheets. Projects include studies of Learner Motivation, Impact of Literacy Programs on Adult learners, Adult Multiple Intelligences, Home Literacy Uses, Adult Development and Literacy Learning, Staff Development, Assessment, GED Impact, Health and Literacy, and Reading Diagnostics, Anyone interested in reading about one or all of the projects or anyone who may be interested in project participation information may receive copies by contacting David Hayes at (401) 331-9261. (The PDRN bulletin, including a link to the NCSALL fact sheets is also available online.

From a July 13 NIFL press release: New Report Explores Connection Between Low Literacy and Poor Health

Incorporating health education directly into literacy programs could be an important step towards helping low literate adults improve their health. Research has found a close connection between low literacy and poor health.  A key factor is that health education materials are generally written at the 10th grade reading level or beyond, so adults with low literacy levels generally do not benefit from the information.

The report, Empowerment Health Education in Adult Literacy: A Guide for Public Health and Adult Literacy Practitioners, Policy Makers and Funders, identifies ways of incorporating health education into literacy programs and includes suggestions for how to best bring information on early detection of breast, cervical, and testicular cancer into the adult literacy classroom.  Ideas for incorporating family violence issues into the curriculum are also included. The report is the result of a 2-year participatory action research project conducted by Marcia Drew Hohn, Ed.D., SABES Director at Northern Essex Community College in Lawrence, MA, and is available at no cost by calling at 1-800-228-8813. Dr. Hohn conducted the research and produced the report as part of a Literacy Leader Fellowship award from the National Institute for Literacy.

From Jan Richter, KidsCampaigns Outreach Specialist, Benton Foundation jan@benton.org on the NIFL-family listserv: I am the Outreach Specialist for KidsCampaigns, a comprehensive web site (http://www.kidscampaigns.org) providing information and tools for people to act on behalf of kids, from volunteering to voting. One of my duties is to compile and write the KidsCampaigns Weekly, a weekly email newsletter that briefs kids' advocates on what's in the news about kids' issues and what's new on-line to inform and engage KidsCampaigners -- advocates, concerned citizens, parents, service providers, etc. If you're interested in subscribing to the KidsCampaigns Weekly, you can sign on by sending an email to listserv@cdinet.com, with the message subscribe kids-weekly YourFirstName YourLastName

list servs:

LEARNER is intended primarily for adult learners. LITERACY is a general list for adult literacy practitioners and others. Information on these electronic lists is below.

LEARNER To subscribe to LEARNER, send an email message to: listserv@nysernet.org

Skip the message header and in the body of the message, type: subscribe LEARNER Yourfirstname Yourlastname All submissions to LEARNER should be addressed to: LEARNER@nysernet.org Questions regarding the list should be sent to: Beverly Choltco-Devlin Moderator, LEARNER bdevlin@dreamscape.com

LITERACY To subscribe to LITERACY, send an email message to: listserv@nysernet.org

Skip the message header and in the body of the message, type: subscribe LITERACY Yourfirstname Yourlastname All submissions to LITERACY should be addressed to: LITERACY@nysernet.org Questions regarding the LITERACY list should be sent to: Beverly Choltco-Devlin bdevlin@dreamscape.com

Welfare to work listserv: from Glenn Young - For those interested in the subject of welfare reform and learning disabilities, there has been a listserv created through NIFL. To sign up, please send a message to: listproc@literacy.nifl.gov write in the body of the message subscribe nifl-wtwld and your name. Do not write anything in the subject line and do not use any dots or dashes other than between nifl and wtwld. (Click here for more information on listservs).

Stats resource available: The State of Literacy in America: Estimates at the local, state and national levels, is now available, free of charge from the National Institute for Literacy. While the use and abuse of statistics can be daunting, the volume is of interest - it projects literacy abilities and problems on local levels using the National Adult Literacy Survey (NALS) as a basis for these estimates. For a copy of the publication, call 1-800-228-8813.

Resource available: Teaching and Learning with Internet-based Resources, by Susan Cowles, is available in hard copy or on line at http://www.nifl.gov/susanc/inthome.htm From the on-line introduction: "Literacy students, instructors, program administrators, and other life-long learners are all in the group moving along the information superhighway. Some people have been running for a while; others are just starting down the road. Beginning to use the Internet can sometimes seem as grueling as participating in a marathon. This short course is designed to make the journey as informative and enjoyable as possible." To order a hard copy of the document, please call 1-800-228-8813. Susan Cowles is a Literacy Leader Fellow for 1996-97; this document is her fellowship report to the National Institute for Literacy.

from previous bulletins:

LEGISLATIVE INFORMATION ON-LINE (from Fran Keenan at the Center for Applied Linguistics): http://www.StateServ.hpts.org provides current and exclusive state legislative information on welfare reform & immigrants. The 1996 welfare law rewrote the rules for immigrants, originally cutting $24 billion in cash, medical, and food stamp benefits. Although $12 billion in SSI benefits were restored in 1997, states are still challenged by the cost shifts from federal to state and local safety net programs, and are determining whether and how to serve particularly vulnerable immigrant populations. State legislation is summarized by cash assistance, medical assistance, nutritional assistance, and naturalization. Also available on-line are the Project's popular new series of issue briefs "Welfare Reform & Immigrants." Currently posted are briefs on: State Trends, Nutritional Assistance, and TANF. The website was launched by the Health Policy Tracking Service at NCSL. StateServ also provides information on state policies and legislation in the areas of adolescent health, HIV/AIDS, and youth access to alcohol. The website is supported with grants from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the Ford Foundation. For more information on StateServ, call The Health Policy Tracking Service at 202-624-3567 or e-mail them at: info@hpts.org.

For more information on Welfare Reform & Immigrants, contact Ann Morse, Immigrant Policy Project, (ann.morse@ncsl.org) or Jeremy Meadows (jeremy.meadows@ncsl.org). We welcome your comments. (The IMMIGRANT-NEWS-L distribution list is a service of NCSLnet, the Electronic Information Network for State Legislatures. National Conference of State Legislatures. For information on NCSLnet services send a blank e-mail message to: NCSLnet-Info@ncsl.org).

AIDS RESOURCES ONLINE

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention1s national AIDS clearinghouse is located at http://www.cdcnac.org. It's Up to Us: An AIDS Education Curriculum for ESL Students and Other English Language Learners, by Henry Lesnick, is available on line at http://www.hostos.cuny.edu/homepages/lesnick/AIDS. AVERT, AIDS Education and Research Trust, a British site, is at http://www.avert.org/ World AIDS Day is observed on December 1st, but the need to work on appropriate educational strategies around HIV and AIDS prevention education persists year round.

PROJECT BASED LEARNING AND ACCESS TO THE INTERNET

How is the internet being used in adult education? What are some helpful uses, and how do we sort through the huge amount of material available on line? Susan Gaer is interested in helping programs link to one another, and has been doing so through an email project homepage on-line, at http://www.otan.dni.us/webfarm/emailproject/email.htm. If you have or know of similar learner work on line, please contact Susan at SusanG2@aol.com. As well, David Rosen (who in addition to advocacy work, has done a great deal of work on and research into using the internet) has asked that we have a look at the inquiry maps on the Adult Literacy Resource Institute1s home page. As he explains, "[a]n Inquiry Map is a group participatory research process on a topic of high interest to the group. Participants (in this case, adult learners) make their own questions, and then set about finding answers to them. The Inquiry map is a process which is never finished. Many of the questions go unanswered, are only partially answered, or have only one answer given where other points of view are possible. So, there is room for other participants to join in the process at any time, to add their answers, their comments on the answers already given, and questions which they might also choose to research." Questions, answers and comments can be posted to David Rosen <DJRosen@world.std.com>, and he'll add them to the inquiry map. So, it keeps on being an inquiry process with each new person who reads and adds to it. He welcomes additions of questions and answers; as you may know, many internet sites run threaded conversations on a variety of topics. The ALRI sites are: http://www2.wgbh.org/MBCWEIS/LTC/ALRI/I.M.html and http://www2.wgbh.org/MBCWEIS/LTC/ALRI/IM3.html (How to make inquiry maps). The LR/RI website has added a page about technology and learning as well. The page consists of the beginning of a discussion about the ways in which technology can be used interactively -- is the screen just a big flashy workbook, or is there more to it? Your comments can be sent by email, fax or regular mail, and will be added to the page to continue the conversation.

and also from previous issues:

Workshops available - During the past few years I've worked with a team of women from around Canada, through the Canadian Congress for Learning Opportunities for Women, on Making Connections: Literacy and EAL Curriculum from a Feminist Perspective. The curriculum was developed for learners in basic education and English language programs. A series of workshops have been developed and are available to anyone in the area with an interest in learning more about incorporating the curriculum and its approaches into their own work. Please contact me (Janet) at LR/RI for more information and/or to schedule a workshop. Information about the curriculum is also available online at http://www.nald.ca/canorg/cclow/EAL.HTM. While the cost of the curriculum document itself is $20, there is no charge for the workshops.