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Community Programs at the Swearer Center

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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.

7 May, 1997

Bulletin #8

Dear Colleagues,

On Friday, May 2nd, Paulo Freire died at the age of 75 in Sao Paolo, Brazil. Paulo Freire's understandings of literacy and critical consciousness have influenced literacy learning and teaching around the world for many years. His obituary in the New York Times (6 May/97) contains Freire's observation that "[i]t is not systematic education which somehow molds society, but, on the contrary, society which, according to its particular structure, shapes education in relation to the ends and interests of those who control the power in that society."

Information about and copies of Freire's work are available widely -- in libraries, bookstores, and very likely in many program professional collections. Or contact me at LR/RI.

Janet Isserlis 

____________________________________________________________ 

NOTICES

If you're not sure about someone's eligibility, contact LR/RI for a full copy of the posting (covering regulations, kinds of disabilities, documentation required, etc.). If you know you need the Medical Certification for Disability Form N-648, (a new INS form, for a licensed medical doctor or clinical psychologist to certify the disability), call the INS Forms Line at 1-800-870-3676 or ICIRP at (312) 441-2990. 

David Hayes has taken the position as Practitioner Leader as part of the National Center for the Study of Adult Learning and Literacy (NCSALL) project to disseminate information about its many research projects. These projects include research into staff development, adult multiple intelligences, adult learners' literacy practices, impacts of programs, adult development, and the impact of the GED. David will be contacting practitioners through the bulletin and by mail shortly. In the meantime, questions about the project can be addressed to David or to me c/o LR/RI. 

This is a national campaign, and education workers and learners are welcome to make it your own in any way that suits you. If you want more information, if there are learners in your programs who would like to be interviewed by community or statewide newspapers or other media, and/or if you have suggestions about approaches to the campaign for the state, or know of people in the media who might be interested in providing coverage, please let me know. This is not a fundraising campaign, but rather focuses on raising awareness about the importance of adult education generally, and adult literacy education in particular. In short, this can be an advocacy campaign. While we're hoping for media attention during Adult Education Day (May 22nd), we also hope to educate the public about the important connections between adult learning and adult learners' capabilities; we don't need more attention thrown on what it is people say adult learners can not do. 

As mentioned in the last bulletin, LR/RI, with assistance from the Swearer Center for Public Service at Brown, is trying to organize professional development activities for the summer. A few people have responded with some interest, and I hope to hear from more of you. There will be two strands of activity this summer. The first is a technology strand which will be open to adult educators who have had limited previous experience with basic computing and internet use and whose programs have, or will soon have, access to computer and internet technology. This strand will run once a week, probably on Friday mornings, for two to three hours. Zach Franklin, a soon-to-be Brown graduate, will assist practitioners in learning basic word processing skills, using the internet for email and access to the world wide web. This will probably run for two four-week sessions, (10 participants in each) with additional assistance being available on an as-needed basis.

The second piece, open to everyone, is a reading/discussion group. Later next month, I1ll be sending one or two short articles to programs and will invite anyone who has the time and inclination to meet informally once a week (late in the afternoon) to discuss these articles, and then, I hope, to bring other articles/issues to the group. Both events will begin late in June of this year. If interest is sufficient this summer, it will then be possible to consider looking at funding for future funding for professional development activities for summer 1998. 

The Center for Applied Special Technology (CAST) in Peabody, Massachusetts is an educational research and development organization, with a mission of expanding opportunities for individuals with disabilities through innovative uses of computer technology. CAST is looking for a Director of Family and Community Literacy, a full time position for its Family and Community Literacy Project, which uses computers and other technologies to train parents in supporting their children1s learning. The project also helps parents (many of whom have learning disabilities) and teachers develop collaborations around children's learning. A more complete description of the project can be found at CAST's web site:http://www.cast.org, and/or is available by mail (39 Cross Street, Peabody, MA 01775; telephone: 508-531-8555. tty 508-538-3310). Overall, the candidate for this position is required to have skills in the areas of project management, adult education, writing and applied research. A masters degree is required, and candidates should have experience in community education, knowledge of family literacy issues, contact with other similar projects, experience with implementing projects in public school and community service agencies, and knowledge of both Mac Window operating systems. For a full copy of the job description, please contact LR/RI. The position will be open in June of 1997.

TEACHER SHARING SESSIONS

There have been two intergenerational literacy practitioner sharing sessions, and one, last week, for ESOL workers. Another three meetings are planned, and all are welcome to attend these informal sessions. We1ve looked at materials, articles and explored both problems and successes in each respective area. Dates for upcoming sessions are as follows:

• LEARNING DISABILITIES teacher share, 2:30 - 4:30 on Friday, May 30th. Lisa Roseman Beade will facilitate this session which is open to everyone with an interest in LD. This session will most likely occur at the International Institute of Rhode Island, but please call or check the next bulletin for site confirmation. The date is firm.
• ESOL teacher share - Thursday, June 5th, from 4:00 to 6:00 PM at Genesis Center, 620 Potters Avenue, Providence. Participants are encouraged, but not required, to bring a lesson, an idea, or a particular material that has been useful or worked particularly well with learners.
• Intergenerational literacy/language teacher share - Friday, June 6th from 1 to 3, at International Institute of RI, 645 Elmwood Avenue, Providence, RI. 

REMINDER: SUMMER PROGRAM and DIRECTORY UPDATE INFORMATION

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.