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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.

January 3, 2000

Bulletin #86

Dear Colleagues, 

Happy new year. News of upcoming professional development events, conferences, meetings, employment opportunities and new online resources. To post information, please contact LR/RI or leave a message (863-2839). Happy holidays. 

Thanks.

Janet Isserlis 

____________________________________________________________

NOTICES

standards : The next meeting to work on the development of standards for adult education for the state will be held on Thursday, January 27 at 1 PM, at the International Institute of Rhode Island. The meeting is open to all; weÕre working to develop draft standards to publicize. A larger meeting to explore the standards work in depth will be held on February 2; information coming soon about that meeting.

Sharing/discussion session for adult educators with an interest in ESOL Tuesday, January 11, 3 PM at the Genesis Center (720 Potters Avenue, Providence). 

On Thursday, January, 20, RI's New England Partnership for Adults with Learning Disabilities team will present its second workshop in a series of three based on the Bridges to Practice guidebooks. The January workshop will be on screening and instructional planning for adults with learning disabilities. This workshop will not focus on formal diagnostic procedures, but will assist practitioners and programs in ways to screen for possible learning disabilities among their learners. A third workshop on instructional strategies will be scheduled for early spring.

Basic information about Bridges to Practice (the information on which much of the LD Partnership training is based, is available online at http://www.ld-read.org. NIFL's website, too, will be a good source of Bridges information within the next few weeks: http://www.nifl.gov/nifl. 

Ninth Annual Action Conference: Advancing the agenda for working familes, Saturday, January 22, 8:30 to 4:30 at the Providence Marriott. For information, contact Bill Flynn at 728-5555. Workshops will cover housing, nutrition, medical, transportation, senior citizens and other critical issues. Registration forms available now; registration for student/low income elderly is $10, and $25 regular fee. For information, contact Bill Flynn at 728-5555. 

last call for substitute teachers - LR/RI substitute teacher roster needs updating. I would like to post the list online. If you would like to add yourself to the list, your phone number and general information (what you teach, hours available) would be public knowledge. If this is a problem, we can revert to the system of responding to calls from program directors and acting as a clearinghouse for information. Please let me know if you want to be on the sub list, and also, if youÕd prefer that the list be posted on line or not. Either way (on line or not), the list will be maintained in an ongoing manner. 

NCSALL's Practitioner Dissemination and Research Network is planning a study circle for Rhode Island Adult Education practitioners interested in learning more about Equipped for the Future as well as the development of standards for Rhode Island. The study circle will examine the ongoing work of the practitioner - driven development of standards in our state and the Equipped for the Future standards, focusing on the connections which may be made between them. While the number and hours of meetings have not been set, it is expected that three meetings of 2 - 3 hours each will be scheduled sometime between February and June. If you are interested in participating and would like more information, please contact David Hayes at PDRNRI@aol.com or at (401) 331-9261. 

call for information: The National Academy on an Aging Society in Washington, DC is working with the Center for Medicare Education to identify efforts in states and communities to help people who have trouble reading or understanding what they read. They are looking for projects geared toward Medicare recipients (and are interested in looking at programs dealing with other populations - such as cultural programs or those helping people of younger ages or those with various diseases or conditions) that also reach out to those with low levels of functional literacy as well.) For example, they are looking for programs that help recipients enroll in Medicare, use health plans or follow instructions for care, and are not really looking for examples of written materials, but rather action-oriented programs. Are you aware of any such programs? If so, could you please provide the relevant contact information to Kristen M. Kilker, National Academy on an Aging Society, 1030 15th Street, NW, Suite 250, Washington, DC 20005-1503, Voice: (202) 408-3375, Fax: (202) 842-1150, email: kkilker@agingsociety.org

NEW ONLINE 

The National Institute for Literacy has posted Literacy Skills for 21st Century America: A Blueprint for creating a more literate nation at http://www.nifl.gov/nifl/policy/summit/blueprint.html This document will inform the national literacy summit, being held next month in Washington. Your input is important. If you have trouble reading the document on line, or need a hard copy, please contact LR/RI.

LR/RI's women and literacy, technology and learning, and internet 101 pages have also been updated. 

PROGRAM INFORMATION - winter 2000

The Rhode Island Family Literacy Initiative (East Providence) will begin its ESL Family Reading Program on January 11, 2000. The class is for adults and children. The adults work in level-appropriate groups with a volunteer tutor. Students will work on reading, conversation, writing and computer skills. At the same time, the children work with a tutor to improve their reading skills and enrich their language arts experience. The program requires the invaluable assistance of volunteer tutors who work closely with a group of students to facilitate the learning process. The class meets twice a week at the Weaver Library 41 Grove Ave., East Providence, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6:30-8 pm for 10 weeks. Volunteers do not need any experience, just a willingness to commit to 4 hours per week for 10 weeks (we are flexible). Some training will be provided. Students or volunteers who are interested should contact Kristen McKenna at 434-2719 for more information.  

The RI Family Literacy Initiative (Cranston) will begin its ESL Family Reading Program on January 10, 2000. The class is for adults and children. The adults work in level-appropriate groups with a volunteer tutor. Students will work on reading, conversation, writing and computer skills. At the same time, the children work with a tutor to improve their reading skills and enrich their language arts experience. The program requires the invaluable assistance of volunteer tutors who work closely with a group of students to facilitate the learning process. The class meets twice a week at the Auburn Library 396 Pontiac Ave., Cranston, RI 02910, Mondays and Wednesdays from 6:00-7:30 pm for 10 weeks. Volunteers do not need any experience, just a willingness to commit to 4 hours per week for 10 weeks (we are flexible). Some training will be provided. Students or volunteers who are interested should contact Kristen McKenna at 781-6116 for more information.

Cranston Adult Vocational Programs 

Classes begin February 8 and are offered to students 18 years or older and not in high school. Tuition is $75 per course. Students may only take one course per semester and only those interested in obtaining employment or upgrading job skills may enroll. Courses include nursing assistant - (with $45 testing and $20 application fee for certification) and computer skills, both offered on Thursday evenings, from 6 - 9 (with the nursing assistant course requiring an additional 20 hours practical experience). Registration: Day, at Cranston Adult Learning Center, 41 Heath Ave., (First Avenue off Elmwood), January 18-21, 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.; Evening Cranston Career and Technical Center, 100 Metropolitan Avenue (off Phoenix Ave), January 18, 6:30 -8:00 p.m. For more information, please call 785-8166.

employment opportunities

New Hampshire: The Bureau of Adult Education has an opening for an Educational Consultant I; responsible for: administration of the statewide GED testing system; professional development for local adult education program staff; general monitoring of and technical assistance for local adult education programs, and technical assistance for local programs in the area of ESOL services. Applications may be obtained from the Bureau of Adult Education, NH Department of Education, 101 Pleasant St., Concord, NH 03301, (603-271-6698).Questions: contact Art Ellison at the address and telephone number above.

Program Assistant - The Rhode Island Family Literacy Initiative (RIFLI) and the Cranston Public Library, announce the opening of a part time teacher's position in the Auburn Branch of the Cranston Public Library. Teaching preschool and school-aged children in a Family ESL Literacy program. 8 hours per week, 4 hours are in class and 4 hours are for preparation/administrative duties. Class meets at 5:30-7:30, Mondays and Wednesdays for three 10 week cycles. The first week of class is January 10, 2000. The position will begin the week of January 3, 2000 with training. The pay is $11/hour for 33 weeks of the year. Employees of local community agencies (ex. CCAP) are encouraged to apply, but the position is open to qualified teachers and students seeking a degree in Education or related experience. Interested applicants should call Kristen McKenna, Program Coordinator, at 781-6116 for an interview or email kpam33@home.com

Read/Write/Now, in Springfield, MA, is a participatory, whole language-based adult literacy program with a strong focus on process writing and publishing, health education, computer literacy, learner research projects, and family literacy. 

1. Part-time Evening Adult Basic Teacher 15 hours/week -- Collaborative planning with a team of teachers; Experience with teaching beginning readers preferred. 

2. Half-time GED Teacher/Coordinator 20 hours/week with benefits --Start new evening GED class; Experience with teaching adult basic education; GED preparation with some with some administrative experience preferred. Interested applicants should send cover letter and resume to: Read/Write/Now, 765 State St., Springfield, MA 01109 [413]263.6839 R/W/N is an Affirmative Action-Equal Opportunity Employer. We provide accommodations upon request. 

funding opportunity: Grants to individual women, age 54+ for projects in any field that enrich and empower the lives of adult women. For instructions send SASE to The Thanks Be To Grandmother Winifred Foundation/NAT, PO Box 1449, Wainscott, NY 11975. 

technology planning training

Eastern LINCS is again planning two-part trainings in technology planning to be held at the National Center on Adult Literacy in Philadelphia on February 24 and 25, and May 4 and 5. Selection of ten programs from the eastern region will be made on the basis of the following criteria. Programs should: be non-profit adult literacy programs (community, college, or LEA); be willing to commit a full-time, senior administrator and a practitioner to attend both workshops and champion the tech. planning process (the same people must attend both workshops and commit to the process for six months); ideally serve at least 150 students/year and offer a range of literacy services, (smaller programs will be considered if they meet the other qualifications); have a limited use of technology but a desire to expand its use with adult learners; have an organizational/institutional commitment to a tech. planning process and be willing to spend the energy and time to create and implement a technology plan, and be on line and have an email address. Travel costs will be covered by Eastern LINCS. For information, please contact LR/RI. If you wish to be considered for the training, please contact LR/RI by January 14. 

conferences

Third National PRO-NET Professional Development Conference: Looking to the future: Lessons learned and lessons to be learned in promoting effective professional development. sponsored by the US Department of Education's Division of Adult Education and Literacy and the Pelavin Research Institute, February 10 and 11, 2000 The Madison Hotel, Washington, DC. (hotel deadline for reservations is January 11, 2000. Reservations made after this date will be accepted on a space available basis only and the government rate cannot be guaranteed). 

Conference designed to consider future trends and developments in professional development and to reflect upon the last decade of research and development. The conference will include plenary and concurrent sessions to enable attendees to participate in a variety of presentations and activities. Representative sessions include: 

Implementing systemic change - 5 essential steps for implementing change. Professional development opportunities must be designed to ensure that people at different levels within the system understand and carry out their roles and responsibilities if constructive change is to occur. How do we know if professional development works? - ways of assessing the impact of professional development; levels of assessment and needs of different audiences: instructor, organization, and adult learner. Getting connected: Using technology for professional development - ways in which technology can be used to deliver effective professional development. Introduction to instructor and management competencies - a practical set of instructor competencies with accompanying performance indicators. This information can be used to help improve the quality and effectiveness of adult education instruction. In addition to information for instructors, a set of management competencies will also be introduced. An introduction to mentoring - drawing upon experiences of several programs engaged in mentoring. Panel members will discuss how they used mentoring, as well as strengths and barriers to effective mentoring. Training instructors in teaching employability skills - aspects of instruction, including curriculum content, assessment, and teaching employability skills. For conference and registration information contact Renee Sherman at (202) 944-5327 or via e-mail at rsherman@air.org

Cancer, Culture and Literacy 2nd Biennial Conference May 4-6, 2000 Clearwater Beach, Florida. 

Our goal for this unique interactive conference is to assist health professionals to develop effective cancer communications that are multicultural, multilingual, and literacy appropriate. Healthcare professionals interested in developing effective cultural and literacy appropriate cancer prevention and cancer control programs and messages; health educators, nurses, physicians, researchers, community leaders, outreach workers, faculty, students/ trainees, policy-makers, literacy specialists and other healthcare professionals. Information: Moffitt Cancer Center Education Program: Susan Easter, M.S. (813) 632-1775 [seaster@moffitt.usf.edu] http://www.moffitt.usf.edu/Promotions/ccl/index.htm Conference brochures and on-line registration available January 2000 Jointly sponsored by the University of South Florida and the H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute in collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Cancer Institute, National Institute for Literacy and Cancer Research Foundation of America 

Bet on a Better Future: LDA 2000 and Beyond. International conference of the Learning Diabilities Association of America, February 16 - 19, 2000, Reno Nevada. For information, please contact LR/RI.

To Promote the General Welfare: Ending Women's Poverty, A strategic conference for action to end women's poverty, March 6-7, 2000, Georgetown University Law Center, Washington DC. Registration, $100, with limited scholarships available upon request. For information, please contact LR/RI, or see online contact information at http://www.nowldef.org/html/policy/conf2000.htm Hotel reservation deadline is February 7.

Commission on Adult Basic Education National Conference - COABE Conference 2000 March 5-8, 2000, Chicago, Illinois. Conference registration and hotel information will be available online soon at http://cait.org/iacea/coabe/ .

TESOL 2000 will be held in March, in Vancouver, BC. Information is available online at http://www.tesol.edu. 

relatively new on the website:

- Research Agenda for Adult ESL The National Clearinghouse for ESL Literacy Education, in collaboration with National Center for the Study of Adult Learning and Literacy and with additional sponsorship and support from Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages, has published a Research Agenda for Adult ESL. Its objectives are to provide funders with clear priorities for funding; to provide researchers with support for proposing specific projects; and to provide a focus for dis-cussion about how to improve adult ESL programs. The document incorporates feedback from learners, instructors, program administrators, policymakers, and researchers, and is available, free, from NCLE, 4646 40th street NW, Washington, DC 20016; (202) 362-0700 extension 200, or can be downloaded from NCLE at http://www.cal.org/ncle (and is also linked to LR/RI's ESOL page).

- The Key on line - Monthly newspaper for adults in Wisconsin's basic education and ESL programs.  http://www.keynews.org/(and is linked to LR/RI's learner page).

from previous bulletins: REMINDERS, RESOURCES: 

list servs: 

- LR/RI's list serv does not require membership, and eagerly welcomes additional participants. To join the list, please send your email address to janet_isserlis@brown.edu. Anyone with an interest in adult learning is encouraged to join.

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). 

women and literacy listserv. 

To participate, subscribe by sending an email message to: LISTPROC@LITERACY.NIFL.GOV with the following request in the body of the message: subscribe NIFL-Womenlit firstname lastname Substitute your first and last name spelled exactly as you would like it to appear. For example, to subscribe to the NIFL-Womenlit list Sue Smith would type: subscribe NIFL-womenlit Sue Smith There should be no other text in the message (e.g., your signature block). It is recommended that the subject line be left blank if possible. 

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. 

David Rosen has asked that we have a look at the inquiry maps on the Adult Literacy Resource Institute's 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). 

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.