Advice from Adult Ed Advocates in Montebello

From Adult Education Advocates in the Montebello Community:

 

 

C  A  L  I  F  O  R  N  I  A 

     ADULT EDUCATION

                                                        A Newsletter on Adult Education in California August 2014

 

 

FALL 2014:  ADULT EDUCATION IN A TIME OF  OPPORTUNITIES, UNCERTAINTIES, AND CHAOS
 

As the state legislature finishes its two-year session on August 31st, Adult Education enters a period of uncertainty unlike any other experienced in recent years. With Fall 2014 around the corner, it is a good time to focus on the advocacy that is necessary to make sure Adult Education is funded in July 2015. The immediate looming items are the state collection of AB 86 consortia plans and the Governor’s 2015-16 budget introduction on January 10th that will send the first signals on what to expect in Adult Education funding for 2015-16. 

Meanwhile, as the state Legislature wraps its session, legislators are making plans to work primarily out of home district offices. This becomes an excellent time to reach out to local legislators and tell them your adult education story. 

Fall 2014 promises to be a challenging period for Adult Education in California because of the uncertainties on the future of the program. But this period also provides opportunities to balance the effects of the uncertainties: 

Opportunities:     

These include, but are not limited to, the following:

• A New Program with State Support: Based on the expectations and work of AB 86 Adult Education consortia, the potential exists to establish a sound adult education program that matches California’s needs for adult literacy and job training with its employment opportunities.

 • Defining Roles and Responsibilities: AB 86 outcomes also have the potential for defining roles for K-12 adult education and non-credit community college, including delineating who is responsible for delivering which program.

• Adequate Funding: A model that supports instruction and support services. 


Certainty:     

A commitment for Adult Education funding is in AB 86: “It is the intent of the Legislature to provide additional funding in the 2015-16 fiscal year to the regional consortia to expand and improve the provision of adult education.”


Risks:     

Negative consequences could be the result of the continued use of phrases that are counter-productive:

• Reinforcing the idea of community colleges taking over Adult Education.

• Continuing to say that Adult Education does not have 2015-16 funding.

• Taking on the Governor by mounting a campaign aimed at him rather than focusing on advocacy with the 140 legislators.


Chaos:   

The lack of a clear and positive statement on what to expect for 2015-16 will add to the rumors and confusion regarding the future of the Adult Education. 


WHAT TO DO? . . . .

Advocate at the local offices of state legislators, and make sure your AB 86 consortium plan includes Adult Education 2015-16 funding recommendations. 


Developed by Adult Education Advocates in the Montebello Community

Montebello Adult School