Thanks to the stabilization of funding, Adult Education is coming back in places where it was cut or eliminated. One such place is the western coastline of San Mateo County, which has not had an Adult School since 2009 when cuts first hit and decimated Adult School all across California.
Showing posts with label Press. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Press. Show all posts
Friday, February 5, 2016
Thursday, January 14, 2016
Edsource: "Website Tracks State's Progress In Providing Adult Education"
Liv Ames for EdSource
Marco Estrella, right, and Yu Liu practice English in an ESL class at San Mateo Adult School.
California’s experiment in rethinking adult education can now be monitored through a website created by the Legislative Analyst’s Office.
Click the "read more" link to learn more.
Monday, December 21, 2015
Kids Versus Parents - Who Wins and Why?
Too frequently, Adult Schools have been pitted against K-12 schools, as if the populations they serve are utterly separate entities, with utterly separate needs and agendas.
This competition is framed as war for the same precious and/or dwindling resources.
Because we are a culture that claims to value the family, the kids generally "win."
This competition is framed as war for the same precious and/or dwindling resources.
Because we are a culture that claims to value the family, the kids generally "win."
In fact, Adult Schools and K-12 schools serve the same families. Educating children and parents empowers families faster than educating only parents or only children.
Which brings up the questions:
Hit the link to see them.
Hit the link to see them.
Tuesday, June 30, 2015
Older Adults Adult Education in the News and in the Budget
In the final part of the budget process, funding for Older Adults Adult Education ( -- to at least some degree), was added into trailer bill AB104. The new budget was signed by Governor Brown and it goes into effect tomorrow July 1, 2015.
The new trailer bill language in AB104 can be found here.
Here are three articles and an announcement from Assembly Member Roger Hernandez' website:
1. Assembly Member Hernandez Rallies Support for Older Adult Education - Assembly Member Roger Hernandez' website
Today, Assemblymember Roger Hernández (D-West Covina) held a press conference to discuss the importance of keeping older adult education programs a priority in the state budget. Hundreds of supporters came to voice the need to maintain programs which are vital to the success of California’s diverse and multigenerational population available to our senior community throughout the state.
According to the California Department of Aging, almost one in five Californians will be over age 65 by 2030. With a large generation of baby boomers beginning to retire, older adult programs are instrumental to help keep seniors active and healthy in our communities while also providing societal savings in medical costs.
“The benefits of older adult education classes for seniors are invaluable. These classes provide an opportunity for seniors to improve their mental and physical health. It provides them a space to be engaged, to participate in their communities, and remain independent,” stated Assemblymember Hernández. “The voice and needs of our seniors should not be lost as California puts its budget priorities forward.” Read the article in full here.
2. Older Adults Programs Get Last Minute Funding in State Budget June 10, 2015, San Gabriel Valley Tribune
"A group of determined seniors were celebrating Wednesday after a state budget committee changed wording that will allow adult schools to keep their older adult programs.
The Legislative Budget Conference Committee decided late Tuesday to include older adult programs on the list of programs eligible for state funding. The programs, including Baldwin Park’s Older Adult Program, had been on the chopping block after they were excluded from Gov. Jerry Brown’s proposed budget.
“The action taken by the budget conference committee to restore older adult education funding is a victory for seniors in Baldwin Park, seniors in the San Gabriel Valley and seniors across California,” Assemblyman Roger Hernandez, D-West Covina, said in a statement. “I am extremely proud of the community coming together and making older adult programs a top priority. Without seniors in my district who brought this to my attention directly, this would not have happened. They deserve the full credit.” Read the article in full here.
3. LAUSD To Lay Off Teachers in Older Adult Program. City To Pick Up Slack. June 17, 2015, LA Times
"In an effort to save $2 million, Los Angeles Unified officials plan to lay off all 18 teachers who instruct wellness classes for older adults.
This year, the program taught 12,392 seniors how to stay physically active and mentally alert with courses such as yoga and memory training."
4. Last Minute Moves Support Student Discipline, Adult Ed - Cabinet Report, June 24, 2015.
"The list of courses that Adult Education programs may offer is laid out in the final trailer bill language and they include classes for older adults, as has always been the case.
In a major restructuring of how the programs are overseen and funded, Gov. Jerry Brown proposed removing some of the less “academic” type courses often available through Adult Education, including classes for the elderly and some non-credit classes. It appears as though advocates for those groups won out.
For some 150 years, adult education in California has served as a core service to integrating new immigrants into U.S. society as well as a reentry point for high school dropouts and older students who wanted a chance at higher education.
The national recession devastated adult programs, as the state was forced to move money traditionally earmarked for those services to general educational uses. According to the California Community College Chancellor’s Office, which shares jurisdiction over adult education with K-12 schools, overall participation fell by more than 800,000 students between 2008 and 2013.
The budget offers $500 million for adult education that would be distributed based on regional needs by the Community College Chancellor, the state superintendent and the California State Board of Education."
The new trailer bill language in AB104 can be found here.
Here are three articles and an announcement from Assembly Member Roger Hernandez' website:
1. Assembly Member Hernandez Rallies Support for Older Adult Education - Assembly Member Roger Hernandez' website
Today, Assemblymember Roger Hernández (D-West Covina) held a press conference to discuss the importance of keeping older adult education programs a priority in the state budget. Hundreds of supporters came to voice the need to maintain programs which are vital to the success of California’s diverse and multigenerational population available to our senior community throughout the state.
According to the California Department of Aging, almost one in five Californians will be over age 65 by 2030. With a large generation of baby boomers beginning to retire, older adult programs are instrumental to help keep seniors active and healthy in our communities while also providing societal savings in medical costs.
“The benefits of older adult education classes for seniors are invaluable. These classes provide an opportunity for seniors to improve their mental and physical health. It provides them a space to be engaged, to participate in their communities, and remain independent,” stated Assemblymember Hernández. “The voice and needs of our seniors should not be lost as California puts its budget priorities forward.” Read the article in full here.
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| Assembly Member Roger Hernandez' press conference about Older Adults Adult Education |
2. Older Adults Programs Get Last Minute Funding in State Budget June 10, 2015, San Gabriel Valley Tribune
"A group of determined seniors were celebrating Wednesday after a state budget committee changed wording that will allow adult schools to keep their older adult programs.
The Legislative Budget Conference Committee decided late Tuesday to include older adult programs on the list of programs eligible for state funding. The programs, including Baldwin Park’s Older Adult Program, had been on the chopping block after they were excluded from Gov. Jerry Brown’s proposed budget.
“The action taken by the budget conference committee to restore older adult education funding is a victory for seniors in Baldwin Park, seniors in the San Gabriel Valley and seniors across California,” Assemblyman Roger Hernandez, D-West Covina, said in a statement. “I am extremely proud of the community coming together and making older adult programs a top priority. Without seniors in my district who brought this to my attention directly, this would not have happened. They deserve the full credit.” Read the article in full here.
3. LAUSD To Lay Off Teachers in Older Adult Program. City To Pick Up Slack. June 17, 2015, LA Times
"In an effort to save $2 million, Los Angeles Unified officials plan to lay off all 18 teachers who instruct wellness classes for older adults.
This year, the program taught 12,392 seniors how to stay physically active and mentally alert with courses such as yoga and memory training."
4. Last Minute Moves Support Student Discipline, Adult Ed - Cabinet Report, June 24, 2015.
"The list of courses that Adult Education programs may offer is laid out in the final trailer bill language and they include classes for older adults, as has always been the case.
In a major restructuring of how the programs are overseen and funded, Gov. Jerry Brown proposed removing some of the less “academic” type courses often available through Adult Education, including classes for the elderly and some non-credit classes. It appears as though advocates for those groups won out.
For some 150 years, adult education in California has served as a core service to integrating new immigrants into U.S. society as well as a reentry point for high school dropouts and older students who wanted a chance at higher education.
The national recession devastated adult programs, as the state was forced to move money traditionally earmarked for those services to general educational uses. According to the California Community College Chancellor’s Office, which shares jurisdiction over adult education with K-12 schools, overall participation fell by more than 800,000 students between 2008 and 2013.
The budget offers $500 million for adult education that would be distributed based on regional needs by the Community College Chancellor, the state superintendent and the California State Board of Education."
Monday, April 20, 2015
Task Force Breaks New Ground on Immigrant Integration
From The Hill's Congress Blog:
Task Force Breaks new Ground on Immigrant Integration April 17, 2015
This week, the White House Task Force on New Americans released a first-of-its-kind report on integrating immigrants into American society. It breaks important new ground and furthers our national discussion on the issue. Its recommendations represent a step forward that must be built upon.
Crucially, the report recognizes that ensuring that immigrants are able to fully participate in the workforce is sound policy—not just for individual immigrants, but for their American-born neighbors, employers, and the communities in which they live.
Without immigrants, the U.S. workforce will not be sufficient to replace the workers expected to retire between 2010 and 2030. And as our economy has changed, so has the process of incorporating newcomers. Unlike in decades past, a hands-off approach that assumes immigrants will spend their working lives in jobs with little need for workforce training or English skills or is no longer true.Today’s economy demands higher-order English and numeracy skills—even for workers at entry levels. Farther up the ladder, U.S. employers have an unmet need for qualified workers, particularly for middle-skill jobs, which require more than a high school education but not a bachelor’s degree. Approximately 55 percent of today’s job openings are middle-skill, compared to just 44 percent of workers.
Hit the "read more" link to learn more.
Task Force Breaks new Ground on Immigrant Integration April 17, 2015
This week, the White House Task Force on New Americans released a first-of-its-kind report on integrating immigrants into American society. It breaks important new ground and furthers our national discussion on the issue. Its recommendations represent a step forward that must be built upon.
Crucially, the report recognizes that ensuring that immigrants are able to fully participate in the workforce is sound policy—not just for individual immigrants, but for their American-born neighbors, employers, and the communities in which they live.
Without immigrants, the U.S. workforce will not be sufficient to replace the workers expected to retire between 2010 and 2030. And as our economy has changed, so has the process of incorporating newcomers. Unlike in decades past, a hands-off approach that assumes immigrants will spend their working lives in jobs with little need for workforce training or English skills or is no longer true.Today’s economy demands higher-order English and numeracy skills—even for workers at entry levels. Farther up the ladder, U.S. employers have an unmet need for qualified workers, particularly for middle-skill jobs, which require more than a high school education but not a bachelor’s degree. Approximately 55 percent of today’s job openings are middle-skill, compared to just 44 percent of workers.
Hit the "read more" link to learn more.
Monday, January 5, 2015
First Step in the Dance: Brown's Budget Proposal
 |
| "May I have this dance?" |
The MOE - the Maintenance of Effort - Clause, which has been holding the K12 Adult School system up since flex broke it, ends June 30, 2015.
Removing the MOE is like taking a cast off a broken leg. What's underneath? Something healed and solid, able to support the K12 Adult Education system? Or an underfunded, broken system that will not be able to hold up its part of the new Regional Consortia delivery system?
Hit the "read more" link to learn more.
Wednesday, June 18, 2014
LA Family Literacy Program Saved!
August 2014 update... LA Fam is still struggling to survive... getting the latest here.
Awesome news!
Grassroots matters!
A mighty combo platter of Student, Family, and Community voice, along with a great website, twitter feed, press in both English and Spanish, blog coverage, emails, phone calls, coordinated action at rallies and School Board meetings, elected official support (thank you Council Members Zimmer and Kayser!), connecting the dots (A4CAS making the connection the Edsource article about districts having some leeway with funds and LAUSD claiming they don't have the money), and RED for ADULT ED action brought us the good news that Los Angeles Unified School Districts Family Literacy Program - an Adult Education program - will reopen in August.
Awesome news!
Grassroots matters!
A mighty combo platter of Student, Family, and Community voice, along with a great website, twitter feed, press in both English and Spanish, blog coverage, emails, phone calls, coordinated action at rallies and School Board meetings, elected official support (thank you Council Members Zimmer and Kayser!), connecting the dots (A4CAS making the connection the Edsource article about districts having some leeway with funds and LAUSD claiming they don't have the money), and RED for ADULT ED action brought us the good news that Los Angeles Unified School Districts Family Literacy Program - an Adult Education program - will reopen in August.
Yayyyyy!
 |
Like La Escuelita in Oakland, the LA Family Literacy Program is another little engine that could. I think I can, I think I can, I think I can... Yes, we can!
Afterthoughts:
We in Adult Education are growing in grassroots skills.
Many things were done right with this campaign.
We can learn from how this campaign succeeded.
We can apply what we've learned to save other programs and rebuild Adult Ed across the state.
Our tool kit is growing.
Are there challenges yet to meet?
Sure.
But it seems we are up to meeting them!
Check out this video of testimony at the board meeting where the program was saved. Many good points shared! |
Friday, April 25, 2014
When and Where is Education a Civil Right?
Clearly, this is another Perspective piece. Mine. Yours is welcome. Click "Perspective" to share.
CAELA - Community of Adult ESL and Literacy Advocates, part of Harvard's Graduate School of Education, is holding a Summit on Adult Education entitled, "At What Age Does A Civil Right Expire?" on Saturday, April 26th, 2014.
Hooray for Harvard!
And hooray for our people who benefit wherever and whenever Adult Education is valued, considered, bettered, and funded.
I learned of the Summit because CAELA reached out to the San Mateo Adult School student leadership team. CAELA is interested in how and why the students at SMAS are so active and effective.
CAELA reached out to A4CAS, the Alliance for California Adult Schools, as well. Grassroots efforts from A4CAS, United Adult Students, COSAS, Save CCSF, and others have helped save Adult Education in California and continue to push for its survival, health, and improvement. CAELA is interested in the role that grassroots organizations have had in determining policy.
Hit the "read more" to learn more.
CAELA - Community of Adult ESL and Literacy Advocates, part of Harvard's Graduate School of Education, is holding a Summit on Adult Education entitled, "At What Age Does A Civil Right Expire?" on Saturday, April 26th, 2014.
Hooray for Harvard!
And hooray for our people who benefit wherever and whenever Adult Education is valued, considered, bettered, and funded.
I learned of the Summit because CAELA reached out to the San Mateo Adult School student leadership team. CAELA is interested in how and why the students at SMAS are so active and effective.
CAELA reached out to A4CAS, the Alliance for California Adult Schools, as well. Grassroots efforts from A4CAS, United Adult Students, COSAS, Save CCSF, and others have helped save Adult Education in California and continue to push for its survival, health, and improvement. CAELA is interested in the role that grassroots organizations have had in determining policy.
Hit the "read more" to learn more.
Sunday, April 20, 2014
Adult Education: The Invisible Power
In many ways, this is a Perspective piece - both because it is from my perspective and because it is about how a shift in perspective can change everything. As always, I welcome other perspectives. Contact me at cyn dot eagleton and then the "at" sign and then g and them mail and then dot and then com if you are interested in sharing a perspective piece here.
A little over two years ago, I proposed an Adult Ed Needs a Seat at the Table campaign. We took pictures of students holding up plates that said why they need Adult Education. We made the case that we needed to be at the table when decisions about the future of Adult Ed were made.
Edsource and the California State PTA are holding a Symposium on Public Education Reform in Los Angeles on May 7.
You can read the full article here, "Edsource Symposium to Tackle 'Seminal' Public School Reforms."
From the article:
Public education in California is undergoing radical reforms that change everything – from how students will be tested on what they learn to the fundamental way schools are evaluated.
An EdSource symposium in Los Angeles next month will help the public make sense of the changes and how they’ll shape the future of education in the state.
The May 7 event, offered in partnership with the California State PTA, brings together some of the top experts in their fields to discuss the impact of reforms underway.
There is no mention of Adult Education anywhere on the program.
A little over two years ago, I proposed an Adult Ed Needs a Seat at the Table campaign. We took pictures of students holding up plates that said why they need Adult Education. We made the case that we needed to be at the table when decisions about the future of Adult Ed were made.
I don't disagree with that.
But I have learned and thought plenty since then - and that has shifted my perspective.
Adult Ed does not need a place at the table.
Because Adult Ed has a place at the table.
What Adult Ed doesn't always have is visibility.
Hit the "read more" link to learn more.
Hit the "read more" link to learn more.
Sunday, January 5, 2014
CFT California Teacher Magazine Article on Adult Ed - and Why We Need More Press Coverage
The November/December 2013 issue of the California Federation of Teacher's magazine, "California Teacher," contains the article, "New Regional Consortia Meld Programs." (Page 4)
Full disclosure: I wrote the article. I am also a member of CFT.
My thoughts: I'm glad I could write it. I'm glad CFT ran it. I'm glad for the coverage of Adult Ed.
There is still inadequate understanding and coverage of Adult Education.
Edsource has not run an article about Adult Ed in a long while - and it needs to.
There has been little or no coverage of Adult Ed in the mainstream print media - LA Times, SF Chronicle, Sacramento Bee, etc. for a while now.
Meanwhile, big changes are taking place with little or no public understanding or input.
Hit the "read more" to learn more.
Full disclosure: I wrote the article. I am also a member of CFT.
My thoughts: I'm glad I could write it. I'm glad CFT ran it. I'm glad for the coverage of Adult Ed.
There is still inadequate understanding and coverage of Adult Education.
Edsource has not run an article about Adult Ed in a long while - and it needs to.
There has been little or no coverage of Adult Ed in the mainstream print media - LA Times, SF Chronicle, Sacramento Bee, etc. for a while now.
Meanwhile, big changes are taking place with little or no public understanding or input.
Hit the "read more" to learn more.
Wednesday, June 12, 2013
What We Know So Far
It's like watching ice crystals form.
Or ice crystals melt.
Either way, it's too soon to say we know everything but far enough along to say we know something.
And I think it's fair to say that that something is progress -
with more progress needing to be made.
Here are some clues to what the next few years will look like:
Hit the "read more" link to see them.
Either way, it's too soon to say we know everything but far enough along to say we know something.
And I think it's fair to say that that something is progress -
with more progress needing to be made.
Here are some clues to what the next few years will look like:
Hit the "read more" link to see them.
Saturday, May 25, 2013
Momentum for Good: Be Part of It
Our job: Keep telling our Legislators what we need. Their job: Keep listening and creating policy that will meet our needs. Right now we're both working hard at our jobs and that's creating momentum for good.
Below is a new budget plan from the Assembly Budget Subcommittee. Discussions and voting still have to happen. And whatever the Legislature finally agrees on, Brown can veto specific items.
But the fact the Assembly Budget Subcommittee has come up with this plan is huge and good.
A year ago, we were pushing against a momentum to destroy Adult Education.
Now we are part of a momentum to rebuild it. Big difference.
Here's the news with my comments in italics and suggested action steps at end.
Hit the "Read More" link to get the news and find out what you can do to keep the momentum going - and growing!
Below is a new budget plan from the Assembly Budget Subcommittee. Discussions and voting still have to happen. And whatever the Legislature finally agrees on, Brown can veto specific items.
But the fact the Assembly Budget Subcommittee has come up with this plan is huge and good.
A year ago, we were pushing against a momentum to destroy Adult Education.
Now we are part of a momentum to rebuild it. Big difference.
Here's the news with my comments in italics and suggested action steps at end.
Hit the "Read More" link to get the news and find out what you can do to keep the momentum going - and growing!
Thursday, May 23, 2013
Edsource: Legislators Debate Proposal as Oakland Reinstates Proposal
Edsource is an excellent source of news about education and one of the few news sources to cover Adult Ed adequately.
Here's a good article with the latest news:
Hit the "read more" link to read it.
Hit the "read more" link to read it.
Wednesday, May 15, 2013
Good and Plenty to Celebrate
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| San Mateo Adult School wearing REd for Adult Ed and celebrating the good news in the May Revise (Photo Credit: Tom Jung) |
Check out that great photo of San Mateo Adult School, decked out in REd for Adult Ed, celebrating the GOOD in Gov. Brown's May Revise!
What's the GOOD, you ask? We'll get to that.
First, remember this? "Good and Complicated Budget Update"
That was the blog post about Gov. Brown's first go at the budget. Way back in January.
Can you believe all we've done since then?
That's the FIRST THING to celebrate.
The way we've mobilized. Petitions, t-shirts, letters, emails, trips to Sacramento, essays, bumper stickers, rings around school districts, postcards. We not only found our voice, we used it to deliver a clear message to Sacramento: Adult Education matters! We need designated funding! Keep the K12 Adult Schools!
The Governor heard. And responded. REMEMBER THAT. Hold that truth in your mind and your heart. You have power. We have power. Does it take effort and time and energy to use it? Of course! Should it be used to create and maintain good? Yes! Because the wild thing is: We always have power. It's just a matter of what we do with it. Do we stuff it, deny it, bury it, give it away? Or we do focus it, share it, use it for good? Remember that, too: YOU ALWAYS HAVE POWER. What are you doing with yours?
But wait! There's more!
Look at how we've come together. The fact we now have A4CAS helping to forge connections around the state between Adult Schools. The increased communication between K12 Adult Schools and Community College Non-Credit Programs. The way schools are sharing resources, strategies, and strength to keep Adult Education alive across the state. Powerful, hunh?
We always did it in our classrooms. We did it in our schools and communities when Hurricane Housing Crash hit and the roof started falling in. Now we've learned to do it across the state. We're powerful - and we're more powerful together.
Keep all that in mind as we review the May Revise which you can find here:
Summary of the May Revise (click on "Higher Education" - the section on Adult Ed begins on p 24)
The A4CAS blog post with the Adult Education portion of the May Revise.
Here are the main points with my bits.
(Full disclosure: I am not a policy person! I'm doing all I can to grok this as I go along, learning as I go.)
Okay, so Adult Ed is not immediately being crammed inside the Community College system which was not ready for it, anyway, and where most Adult Schools did not want to go.
This part is trickier... what about the Adult Schools that were scheduled to close? What's going to help them survive in those 2 years? The strong ones will be okay. All schools will have 2 years to get ready for...
First... Yaaaaayyy!! School districts retain their authority over their Adult School programs! And they will have 2 years to get ready for a regional consortium... through which they will receive...
get ready for it...
DEDICATED FUNDING!
Sounds like Allies, right? Sounds like Unity in REd for Adult Ed! I am sure it will take some time to figure that out. And wisdom, and smarts, and big-picture thinking, and remembering at all times that Adult Education exists to serve the community, the students, the people of California, now and into the future.
We've got some time and money to figure things out.
To get the big money, districts need to have an Adult School that is open. What money will help Adult Schools to STAY open in the meantime? Especially, as Chris Nelson points out, schools like Oakland that are hanging on by a thread? That's a good - and important - question. (Thinking caps - put them on! Ideas, questions, suggestions - share them - with each other, Legislators, the Governor, CDE, CCAE, CFT, and Districts in Crisis. I think there needs to be a special website or FB page for "Districts in Crisis.")
Uh oh... Older Adults and Parenting are not part of this funding.
Okay. Hmmm... Problem. How to address? Ask for amendments? Develop a case for a new and separate funding stream specific to those programs? Begin to collect evidence that such programs are needed, especially as the Boomers do the hustle into Retirement and Obamacare goes into effect?
Those are BIG and IMPORTANT questions for a separate blog post and for YOUR REFLECTION.
Meantime, for your enjoyment, because we are trying to celebrate here...
I'm pretty sure everyone in this video
would appreciate being able to take an Older Adults class -
if such classes are available.
And something else... those Boomers? Those folks are dang good at speaking up.
You watch. They'll be speaking up all right. They always do.
I don't care if they are eighteen or eighty. Boomers are always about speaking up.
Watch out.
There is definitely more money and support for Adult Education. Perhaps Parent Ed and Older Adults can survive as part of stronger programs, and/or in part funded through fees. Or support from organizations like the Arthritis Foundation as Irma Becerra Nunez has done in Los Angeles. Again... these are important matters that deserve your consideration and a separate blog post. Leave a comment if you'd like to write one. Contributions welcome!
Meanwhile, back again, to the bulk of the plan.
Here's a good article from Edsource about it:
"Governor Tries to Fix Adult Ed Plan, but Controversy Remains" - Edsource
And here's Bob Harper's insightful comment on the article (shared with permission):
"The incentives to have greater collaboration between the delivery systems – articulated pathways, common assessments, referral procedures, integrated basic skills training – and bringing in additional community partners (the Workforce Investment Boards, community based-organizations, private sector) is welcome. It is exactly what the CDE’s strategic plan for adult education recommended. It is what was proposed by the LAO’s report last December. It is in alignment to the targeted outcomes for 2014-2015 of the Workforce Investment Act and the National Reporting System. It is already pursued in many places in the state, including the Silicon Valley ALLIES Initiative in San Mateo and Santa Clara counties. It is hugely significant that the Governor and the DOF have been responsive to all the advocacy and dialogue on the last four months. It is also true that unless dedicated funding assures that K-12 adult schools continue to deliver services the “consortia” planned for 2015-2016 will be greatly diminished in capacity and expertise. Having 30 million to prepare partnerships, like ALLIES, is a great step. Unless K-12 has standalone funding as LCFF moves forward it is likely that the “unintended destructive consequences” will continue unabated and increase in pace. I surely hope it really is unintended. I must also point out that the $634 million “before the recession” is incorrect. In 2008 there was almost $750 million that supported adult learners in adult schools, and another $200 million that supported non-credit adult education programs in community colleges. What was $950 million in 2008 (which was insufficient to the demand then) becomes $500 million in 2015, with the possibility that the expertise, focus, and outcomes of the K-12 systems have eroded away by then. The legislature and the Governor will continue to work on this; I am confident they will understand that having collaboration between the two systems, adequately resourced, will mean that the critical capacity will be in place to provide low skilled adults with literacy, job skills, and immigrant integration." - Bob Harper, in response to Edsource article.
The Internet is ablaze with articles about the Revise, responses to the Revise, and ideas about how it can be improved.
Here's a very, very short one:
Sac Bee Capitol Alert - Gov. Brown announcing May Revise (with video)
And some video of Gov. Brown presenting it:
Let's move from Brown to what he was talking about at the start of his speech:
Californians who need and deserve our support.
Here's La Escuelita Family Literacy Program of Oakland, fabulous lin their REd for Unity for Adult Ed:
They are the little acorn that remains of Oakland Adult School's once mighty program, which served over 20,000 people, 20,000 which still live there, by the way, 20,000 in need of Adult Education.
It's the little acorn we all need to support, as it makes every effort to survive so that Oakland - and California - can thrive.
To support La Escuelita, and Oakland, and every other community across this great state, means continuing to use our skill and power, our wisdom and smarts to work together and deliver the message:
Adult Education Matters.
That's the good news.
That we can and are doing this. That we have the skill and the power and the will to speak up.
That Sacramento is at the table with us. Listening.
That change is happening. Good change.
Is there more to do?
Sure.
But that's okay. That's life. That's what we're here for.
And that's good and plenty to celebrate, all by itself.
But of course... there is more... so can we hear that good news one more time?
K12 Adult Schools - remain open!
Designated Funding - is coming! (We'd love it if it came sooner!)
Adult Education matters and more and more people know it - including Gov. Brown!
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| We hear you, Governor. There's a budget surplus. Don't eat it all now. Use it wisely. We agree. And we remind you and the Legislature: It's your job to make sure it's shared fairly. After all, we're the ones who paid for the candy. |
Tuesday, May 7, 2013
If You're Not At The Table...
There's a saying in Sacramento...
What's that mean for us?
Especially the K12 Adult Schools?
It means we need to be part of decision making in Sacramento.
Especially now - the week before the "May Revise" -
(that's Gov. Brown's revise of his budget proposal...
you remember...
the one where he wanted to put all Adult Ed
inside the Community College system...
Yeah... that one! Important!)
So how do we do we become part of the decision process?
Click the "read more" to learn how...
What's that mean for us?
Especially the K12 Adult Schools?
It means we need to be part of decision making in Sacramento.
Especially now - the week before the "May Revise" -
(that's Gov. Brown's revise of his budget proposal...
you remember...
the one where he wanted to put all Adult Ed
inside the Community College system...
Yeah... that one! Important!)
So how do we do we become part of the decision process?
Click the "read more" to learn how...
Monday, May 6, 2013
Calling All Journalists
Adult Education -
how it's structured, who it serves, how it used to be, how it's now, how it might be -
these are pretty complicated things, actually...
and very, very important to understand.
Because when you're in a mess, understanding how you got there is part of understanding how to get out.
So what to do?
Keep slogging away at the blog posts?
Definitely!
But what about the skills and scope of journalists and large-scale bloggers?
What about a good comprehensive series or an investigative piece on Adult Education -
how things came to this pass, what's at stake, and how California can benefit if it creates a way out of this mess and into repair and renewal?
How about calling on journalists to bring their skills, smarts, and light to the subject?
The more requests they get, the better -
because journalists respond to need and need is demonstrated by frequency, urgency, and intensity.
Please join me in contacting one or some to ask that they look into Adult Education
what's happening, why, and what's at stake.
Click the "read more" for information about who and how to contact journalists...
how it's structured, who it serves, how it used to be, how it's now, how it might be -
these are pretty complicated things, actually...
and very, very important to understand.
Because when you're in a mess, understanding how you got there is part of understanding how to get out.
So what to do?
Keep slogging away at the blog posts?
Definitely!
But what about the skills and scope of journalists and large-scale bloggers?
What about a good comprehensive series or an investigative piece on Adult Education -
how things came to this pass, what's at stake, and how California can benefit if it creates a way out of this mess and into repair and renewal?
How about calling on journalists to bring their skills, smarts, and light to the subject?
The more requests they get, the better -
because journalists respond to need and need is demonstrated by frequency, urgency, and intensity.
Please join me in contacting one or some to ask that they look into Adult Education
what's happening, why, and what's at stake.
Click the "read more" for information about who and how to contact journalists...
Tuesday, March 19, 2013
Good News! Assembly Committee Rejects Brown's Plan to Shift Adult Ed to Community Colleges
From Edsource -
"Assembly Committee Rejects Plan to Move Adult Ed Programs to Community Colleges" -
by Susan Frey
In a clear message to Gov. Jerry Brown, an Assembly subcommittee voted unanimously Tuesday to reject his proposal to shift responsibility for adult education programs from K-12 districts to community colleges.
The bipartisan vote Tuesday followed a flurry of pink slips issued by school districts to adult educators last week.
The vote was meant as a message to school districts considering abandoning their adult ed schools that the Assembly supports current district programs and that there will be funding for those programs, said Assemblymember Susan Bonilla (D-Concord), chair of Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 2 on Education and Finance.
“I’ve heard from many of my colleagues in the Assembly and from many constituents that the governor’s proposal is going to be devastating to adult ed,” she said. Bonilla said the Legislature’s previous actions that eliminated dedicated funding for adult education beginning in 2009 occurred “in the midst of a great financial crisis.” As the state budget tightened, $634 million previously earmarked for adult education became “flexible,” allowing school districts to use the money for any educational purpose. With budgets eroding due to the recession, many districts channeled those funds into K-12 programs and greatly reduced or shuttered adult education offerings.
“It was never the intention to destroy adult ed,” she said. “We know we’ve weakened it; it is now a very fragile system. We’re not going to continue down that path. It’s far too critical for thousands and thousands of Californians as the place where they can have their education needs met.”
Adult schools offer community based–classes to some of the state’s neediest adults, ranging from the unemployed, the disabled and the elderly to ex-offenders re-entering society and immigrants trying to learn English and become citizens. They are typically located in schools or neighborhood centers providing easy access to these students, who often are intimidated by college campuses.
Gov. Jerry Brown’s proposal includes setting aside $300 million in dedicated funding for adult education, something the subcommittee supports, Bonilla said. But, she added, she has heard from a number of community college representatives that say the colleges will not be ready by July 1, the beginning of the next fiscal year, to assume full responsibility for adult ed.
Currently some community colleges, such as San Francisco City and San Diego City, run their own adult ed programs. But many of the 112 community colleges do support adult ed programs or have only a few classes. Duplication of effort by adult schools and community colleges as well as the abandonment of adult education by many school districts when they were able to use adult school funds for any educational purpose convinced the governor that shifting responsibility to community colleges was the best way to ensure adult education for the future.
Bonilla and Dawn Koepke, a lobbyist for two statewide groups — California Council for Adult Education (CCAE) and California Adult Education Administrators Association (CAEAA) — said they will be working with the governor’s office, Sen. Carol Liu (D-Glendale), who is working on a bill, and the Department of Finance to fashion a compromise that will ensure funding for the state’s existing district adult education programs and create clear pathways from district adult schools to college — another criticism of the current adult education system. The Senate is scheduled to consider the governor’s proposal on April 11.
“We consider this vote very important,” Koepke said. “Comments made by the Assembly members showed their understanding and appreciation that access, skills, programming and services are best served under the K-12 system. The subcommittee chair made it very clear that neither the governor’s proposal nor the committee’s actions should be a path to layoff notices or closed adult schools.”
Access has been a key argument for those opposed to the governor’s proposal. Many adult education students’ first contact with the state’s education system is through literacy classes at their children’s school.
Suzanne Ludlum, who teachers at Koreamatsu Discovery Academy and Esperanza Elementary in East Oakland, said mothers move from her literacy class to her GED class or into the job market.
“They have enough English to work and provide support for their families,” she said, adding that her “hidden agenda” is to encourage these mothers to go on to college.
Chris Nelson, president of the California Council for Adult Education and director of Oakland’s adult school, which trustees recently voted in February to close, called the subcommittee’s action “a good step in the right direction.”
“There absolutely needs to be dedicated funding for adult education in K-12 schools,” he said. “That’s the only way adult education is gong to survive.”
Going deeper
California Council for Adult Education (CCAE)
California Adult Education Administrators Association (CAEAA)
Assemblymember Susan Bonilla (D-Concord)
Senator Carol Liu (D-Glendale)
Restructuring California’s Adult Education System, Legislative Analyst’s Office, December 2012
At Risk: Adult Schools in California, EdSource, June 2012
Linking Adults to Opportunity, California Department of Education, Sept. 28, 2010
Adult Education, California Department of Education
Serving Students, Serving California: Updating the California Community Colleges to Meet Evolving Demands, Little Hoover Commission, February 2012
More articles on the good news:
In the LA Times: Assembly Panel Rejects Piece of Jerry Brown's Education Plan
In the Sacramento Bee: Assembly Committee Rejects Adult Education Program Shift
Truly, at last, the value of Adult Education is being seen.
We, the people, know it.
And we, the people, are taking on the job - our job - of making sure our representatives in Sacramento know it.
And they are listening.
It's not to late to sign the petitions. And they matter!
Each signature and comment is instantly shared with both the Legislature and Gov. Brown.
Sign and share!
Rebuild Adult Ed: K12 and Designated Funding Stream
and
Stop Gov. Brown's Plan to Shift Adult Ed to the Community College System
"Assembly Committee Rejects Plan to Move Adult Ed Programs to Community Colleges" -
by Susan Frey
In a clear message to Gov. Jerry Brown, an Assembly subcommittee voted unanimously Tuesday to reject his proposal to shift responsibility for adult education programs from K-12 districts to community colleges.
The bipartisan vote Tuesday followed a flurry of pink slips issued by school districts to adult educators last week.
The vote was meant as a message to school districts considering abandoning their adult ed schools that the Assembly supports current district programs and that there will be funding for those programs, said Assemblymember Susan Bonilla (D-Concord), chair of Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 2 on Education and Finance.
“I’ve heard from many of my colleagues in the Assembly and from many constituents that the governor’s proposal is going to be devastating to adult ed,” she said. Bonilla said the Legislature’s previous actions that eliminated dedicated funding for adult education beginning in 2009 occurred “in the midst of a great financial crisis.” As the state budget tightened, $634 million previously earmarked for adult education became “flexible,” allowing school districts to use the money for any educational purpose. With budgets eroding due to the recession, many districts channeled those funds into K-12 programs and greatly reduced or shuttered adult education offerings.
“It was never the intention to destroy adult ed,” she said. “We know we’ve weakened it; it is now a very fragile system. We’re not going to continue down that path. It’s far too critical for thousands and thousands of Californians as the place where they can have their education needs met.”
Adult schools offer community based–classes to some of the state’s neediest adults, ranging from the unemployed, the disabled and the elderly to ex-offenders re-entering society and immigrants trying to learn English and become citizens. They are typically located in schools or neighborhood centers providing easy access to these students, who often are intimidated by college campuses.
Gov. Jerry Brown’s proposal includes setting aside $300 million in dedicated funding for adult education, something the subcommittee supports, Bonilla said. But, she added, she has heard from a number of community college representatives that say the colleges will not be ready by July 1, the beginning of the next fiscal year, to assume full responsibility for adult ed.
Currently some community colleges, such as San Francisco City and San Diego City, run their own adult ed programs. But many of the 112 community colleges do support adult ed programs or have only a few classes. Duplication of effort by adult schools and community colleges as well as the abandonment of adult education by many school districts when they were able to use adult school funds for any educational purpose convinced the governor that shifting responsibility to community colleges was the best way to ensure adult education for the future.
Bonilla and Dawn Koepke, a lobbyist for two statewide groups — California Council for Adult Education (CCAE) and California Adult Education Administrators Association (CAEAA) — said they will be working with the governor’s office, Sen. Carol Liu (D-Glendale), who is working on a bill, and the Department of Finance to fashion a compromise that will ensure funding for the state’s existing district adult education programs and create clear pathways from district adult schools to college — another criticism of the current adult education system. The Senate is scheduled to consider the governor’s proposal on April 11.
“We consider this vote very important,” Koepke said. “Comments made by the Assembly members showed their understanding and appreciation that access, skills, programming and services are best served under the K-12 system. The subcommittee chair made it very clear that neither the governor’s proposal nor the committee’s actions should be a path to layoff notices or closed adult schools.”
Access has been a key argument for those opposed to the governor’s proposal. Many adult education students’ first contact with the state’s education system is through literacy classes at their children’s school.
Suzanne Ludlum, who teachers at Koreamatsu Discovery Academy and Esperanza Elementary in East Oakland, said mothers move from her literacy class to her GED class or into the job market.
“They have enough English to work and provide support for their families,” she said, adding that her “hidden agenda” is to encourage these mothers to go on to college.
Chris Nelson, president of the California Council for Adult Education and director of Oakland’s adult school, which trustees recently voted in February to close, called the subcommittee’s action “a good step in the right direction.”
“There absolutely needs to be dedicated funding for adult education in K-12 schools,” he said. “That’s the only way adult education is gong to survive.”
Going deeper
California Council for Adult Education (CCAE)
California Adult Education Administrators Association (CAEAA)
Assemblymember Susan Bonilla (D-Concord)
Senator Carol Liu (D-Glendale)
Restructuring California’s Adult Education System, Legislative Analyst’s Office, December 2012
At Risk: Adult Schools in California, EdSource, June 2012
Linking Adults to Opportunity, California Department of Education, Sept. 28, 2010
Adult Education, California Department of Education
Serving Students, Serving California: Updating the California Community Colleges to Meet Evolving Demands, Little Hoover Commission, February 2012
More articles on the good news:
In the LA Times: Assembly Panel Rejects Piece of Jerry Brown's Education Plan
In the Sacramento Bee: Assembly Committee Rejects Adult Education Program Shift
Truly, at last, the value of Adult Education is being seen.
We, the people, know it.
And we, the people, are taking on the job - our job - of making sure our representatives in Sacramento know it.
And they are listening.
It's not to late to sign the petitions. And they matter!
Each signature and comment is instantly shared with both the Legislature and Gov. Brown.
Sign and share!
Rebuild Adult Ed: K12 and Designated Funding Stream
and
Stop Gov. Brown's Plan to Shift Adult Ed to the Community College System
Wednesday, January 16, 2013
California Report Radio Program on ESL Classes
The California Report produced a short, excellent report on the status of Adult Education ESL classes - both in terms of previous cuts and possible future shifts to the community college umbrella.
Click to hear to go to the The California Report website and listen to the report online.
Full episode for Wed, Jan 16, 2013
Click to hear to go to the The California Report website and listen to the report online.
Full episode for Wed, Jan 16, 2013
Thursday, January 10, 2013
Good & Complicated Budget Update
Today, Thursday, January 10, 2012, Gov. Brown released the budget for 2013-14.
It is a template because it needs to be approved by the Legislature and before it is approved and there will be certainly be tweaks (and probably a few squawks, as well).
The end result never looks exactly like the beginning.
Which is why we need to stay involved.
But to the news:
First, things are looking up for public education, in general. It's a priority and funding is increasing.
Yay, public education!
As far as Adult Education is concerned, there is both good and more complicated news.
It is a template because it needs to be approved by the Legislature and before it is approved and there will be certainly be tweaks (and probably a few squawks, as well).
The end result never looks exactly like the beginning.
Which is why we need to stay involved.
But to the news:
First, things are looking up for public education, in general. It's a priority and funding is increasing.
Yay, public education!
As far as Adult Education is concerned, there is both good and more complicated news.
Tuesday, December 11, 2012
Designated Funding Matters
Just out from Edsource:
Legislative support elusive for adult ed funding plan
California’s Legislative Analyst’s Office says the state’s embattled adult education system needs a dedicated and permanent funding stream that can’t be appropriated for other school programs when the state budget goes south.
Restructuring California’s Adult Education System calls for the state Legislature to restore adult education as a categorical program. Adult Ed advocates lauded the proposal, even though it relies on funding that is speculative and requires a commitment from legislators and Gov. Jerry Brown that they have so far not shown.
Adult schools are an important strand in the state’s safety net, offering community-based classes to some of the state’s neediest adults, ranging from the unemployed, the disabled, and the elderly to ex-offenders re-entering society, immigrants trying to learn English and become citizens, and high school dropouts seeking to earn their GEDs.
Legislative support elusive for adult ed funding plan
Restructuring California’s Adult Education System calls for the state Legislature to restore adult education as a categorical program. Adult Ed advocates lauded the proposal, even though it relies on funding that is speculative and requires a commitment from legislators and Gov. Jerry Brown that they have so far not shown.
Adult schools are an important strand in the state’s safety net, offering community-based classes to some of the state’s neediest adults, ranging from the unemployed, the disabled, and the elderly to ex-offenders re-entering society, immigrants trying to learn English and become citizens, and high school dropouts seeking to earn their GEDs.
Until the 2008-09 academic year, adult education was funded through one of the dozens of categorical programs that could be used only for their stated purpose. But as part of the February 2009 state budget
plan, legislators approved what’s known as “categorical flex,” giving school districts the authority to use funds from 40 categorical programs, including adult education, for any educational purpose.
The LAO report says that move signaled “adult schools’ lower priority within the K-12 system.” Since then, local school boards have funneled as much as 70 percent of statewide adult ed funds to support K-12 programs, according to Chris Nelson, president of the California Council for Adult Education.
At least 35 programs have shut down as a result, and many of the 300 remaining programs are operating on shoestring budgets. Altogether, the LAO estimates that in 2011-12, the state and federal governments spent about $400 million on district-run adult schools, down from $854 million before flex started.
Many community colleges also offer adult education classes, spending about $1.7 billion last year, according to the LAO, but the colleges take that money from their regular state funding and not from separate categorical accounts.
Categorical flex is due to expire at the end of the 2014-15 school year, and the LAO is recommending that starting in 2015-16 adult education be restored as a categorical program with a dedicated funding stream. The program is a good candidate for restoration of funds, said Paul Steenhausen, who wrote the LAO report, because it reaches a distinct, underserved population.
“Adult education is a different animal,” Steenhausen said. Because it doesn’t serve K-12 students, it is “fundamentally different from other categoricals.”
However, many observers believe that the current level of flexible funding will continue beyond 2014-15 unless Gov. Brown convinces the Legislature to reconfigure the school finance system using a weighted student formula (WSF). Under this approach, money would follow the student, so schools enrolling students with greater needs, such as English learners and those from low-income families, would receive more funds. When Gov. Brown first proposed WSF last January, he didn’t support separate funding for adult education, leading advocates to oppose it.
Even the recent passage of Proposition 30, which increases funding to schools through a combination of a small sales tax increase and higher income taxes on the wealthiest Californians, has not revived support for adult education, according to Nelson.
“We’re still hearing that programs are being threatened with being cut more,” Nelson said. “I have not heard of anybody who has said they’re going to get an increase because of Prop. 30.”
Instead, Nelson said he believes that school districts will be under pressure to use increased revenues to provide raises for teachers. “We’re all fighting for every little dollar, and it’s unfortunate how this has played out – one program against another.”
Nelson described the situation in Sonoma County, which had 11 adult education schools a few years ago, but has only one remaining program, in Petaluma. That program is being inundated by prospective students from all over the county. Nelson expects that Petaluma, which doesn’t have the capacity to serve so many people, will soon have to restrict its program to city residents.
One reason adult education may lack support from some legislators is the program’s uneven distribution across the state. Adult ed schools are more common in urban than rural communities.
The LAO is predicting that as the economy improves, the state will soon be receiving more funds that must be spent on K-14 education. The report recommends that some of this new money should be allocated to adult education based on regional needs and the ability of districts, colleges and local businesses to work as a team to avoid duplication of services and provide smooth pathways for students to jobs and college. The LAO also recommends that funding be allocated based on student outcomes – such as how many successfully complete courses – the way federal funds are now distributed.
But, finally, “the bigger issue is how is adult ed going to get funded,” Nelson said. “The LAO does recommend designated funding for adult ed, and that’s very key.”
plan, legislators approved what’s known as “categorical flex,” giving school districts the authority to use funds from 40 categorical programs, including adult education, for any educational purpose.
Chris Nelson, State President of the California Council for Adult Education. (Photo courtesy CCAE). click to enlarge.
The LAO report says that move signaled “adult schools’ lower priority within the K-12 system.” Since then, local school boards have funneled as much as 70 percent of statewide adult ed funds to support K-12 programs, according to Chris Nelson, president of the California Council for Adult Education.
At least 35 programs have shut down as a result, and many of the 300 remaining programs are operating on shoestring budgets. Altogether, the LAO estimates that in 2011-12, the state and federal governments spent about $400 million on district-run adult schools, down from $854 million before flex started.
Many community colleges also offer adult education classes, spending about $1.7 billion last year, according to the LAO, but the colleges take that money from their regular state funding and not from separate categorical accounts.
Categorical flex is due to expire at the end of the 2014-15 school year, and the LAO is recommending that starting in 2015-16 adult education be restored as a categorical program with a dedicated funding stream. The program is a good candidate for restoration of funds, said Paul Steenhausen, who wrote the LAO report, because it reaches a distinct, underserved population.
“Adult education is a different animal,” Steenhausen said. Because it doesn’t serve K-12 students, it is “fundamentally different from other categoricals.”
However, many observers believe that the current level of flexible funding will continue beyond 2014-15 unless Gov. Brown convinces the Legislature to reconfigure the school finance system using a weighted student formula (WSF). Under this approach, money would follow the student, so schools enrolling students with greater needs, such as English learners and those from low-income families, would receive more funds. When Gov. Brown first proposed WSF last January, he didn’t support separate funding for adult education, leading advocates to oppose it.
Even the recent passage of Proposition 30, which increases funding to schools through a combination of a small sales tax increase and higher income taxes on the wealthiest Californians, has not revived support for adult education, according to Nelson.
“We’re still hearing that programs are being threatened with being cut more,” Nelson said. “I have not heard of anybody who has said they’re going to get an increase because of Prop. 30.”
Roadmap to restructuring Adult Ed, California Legislative Analyst’s Office. click to enlarge.
Instead, Nelson said he believes that school districts will be under pressure to use increased revenues to provide raises for teachers. “We’re all fighting for every little dollar, and it’s unfortunate how this has played out – one program against another.”
Nelson described the situation in Sonoma County, which had 11 adult education schools a few years ago, but has only one remaining program, in Petaluma. That program is being inundated by prospective students from all over the county. Nelson expects that Petaluma, which doesn’t have the capacity to serve so many people, will soon have to restrict its program to city residents.
One reason adult education may lack support from some legislators is the program’s uneven distribution across the state. Adult ed schools are more common in urban than rural communities.
The LAO is predicting that as the economy improves, the state will soon be receiving more funds that must be spent on K-14 education. The report recommends that some of this new money should be allocated to adult education based on regional needs and the ability of districts, colleges and local businesses to work as a team to avoid duplication of services and provide smooth pathways for students to jobs and college. The LAO also recommends that funding be allocated based on student outcomes – such as how many successfully complete courses – the way federal funds are now distributed.
But, finally, “the bigger issue is how is adult ed going to get funded,” Nelson said. “The LAO does recommend designated funding for adult ed, and that’s very key.”
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