CFT Local 4681's Resolution to Ensure that Adult Education Exists in Best and Fullest Capacity

CFT Local 4681, out of San Mateo Adult School, passed the following resolution:

Resolution to Ensure that Adult Education 
Exists in Best and Fullest Capacity

Whereas education is a human right for people of all ages, and

Whereas Adult Schools have been serving the people of California from every community, including those with the greatest needs and least resources, for over 150 years, and

Whereas, during the last recession, Adult Education was the only branch of public education in California which was nearly eliminated through a combination of funding cuts and allowing districts to take any and all adult school funds for other purposes (Categorial Flexibility), and

Whereas K-12 adult schools were saved only through the determined action of teachers, students, administrators, and their allies, and

Click the "read more" link to learn more.

Perspective: Run, Don't Walk to See "The Big Short" To Understand How Everything Happened

This is a Perspective piece.  Mine - Cynthia Eagleton's.

Too often, the conditions out of which bad things happen, never get examined.

Poor health, economic collapse, the devastation of Adult Education, or any other bad thing - you can always trace them back to conditions.

In a diabetic coma?  Did you check your blood sugar levels this morning?  Take your meds?  Exercise?  Over exercise?  Fail to exercise?  How did you get diabetes in the first place?  Were you overweight and inactive for decades?  At risk due to a family history?  Look hard and ask the right questions, and you'll understand why you have diabetes and why you're in a coma.

The cuts and closures of Adult Schools in 2009 and the years following came as a result of an economic collapse that was felt worldwide.

How did that collapse happen?

Click the "read more" link to learn more.

CCAE Legislative Analyst Dawn Koepke's Analysis of Gov. Brown's 2016-17 Budget Proposal

From CCAE Legislative Analyst Dawn Koepke:

Governor Releases FY 16-17 Budget Package

 

Last week Governor Brown released his proposed $170 billion ($122 General Fund) FY 16-17 budget package that provides his initial road map for state spending in FY 16-17.  It is merely the opening salvo in a long process that will play out with legislative budget hearings and a revision released by him in May ("May Revise").  The package, with legislative adjustments, must be finalized by June 15th in time for the Governor to sign the package and the new fiscal year to begin on July 1st.   Budget overview hearings will be scheduled in the next couple of weeks with subcommittee hearings scheduled in March/April. 

 

Overall, the package provides significant growth in funding for education, health care and state infrastructure.  Additionally, it continues to build the state's Rainy Day Fund, pay down the "Wall of Debt" and more. 

Click the "read more" link to learn more.

Edsource: "Website Tracks State's Progress In Providing Adult Education"

From Edsource:

Adult Education

Website tracks state's progress in providing adult education

By Susan Frey | January 12, 2016 | 1 Comment

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.

Asm Patty Lopez Highlights Importance of Adult Education Funding

Press Release

Assemblywoman Patty López Highlights Importance of Adult Education Funding 

Created: Thursday, 07 January 2016 08:44 

SACRAMENTO, CA ‒ On the heels of Governor Brown’s speech regarding California’s 2016-2017 budget Thursday morning, Assemblywoman Patty López (D-San Fernando) issued the following statement:

“We live in a state with a population of nearly 40 million people ‒ more than a quarter of whom are immigrants to the U.S.,” López said. “We can no longer ignore the growing need for adult education services that will secure their livelihood and allow them to become productive members of society.”
To address the rise in demand for ESL (English as a Second Language) and citizenship preparation courses as well as Career Technical Education (CTE), which offers students core academic and technical/occupational knowledge, the Assemblywoman plans to introduce new legislation in the coming weeks.

“This year, I will work closely with my colleagues to get adult education funding into the budget to guarantee that these vital programs remain available to those wishing to strengthen their career skills,” she added. “It is a critical investment in the future of California and its residents and is therefore a matter that can affect us for generations to come.”

Assemblywoman Patty López represents the 39th Assembly District, which includes the communities of Arleta, Lake View Terrace, Mission Hills, North Hollywood, Northeast Granada Hills, Pacoima, San Fernando, Shadow Hills, Sun Valley, Sylmar and Sunland-Tujunga.

CONTACT: Caroline Woon, (818) 365-2464

CCAE 2016 Conference April 21-23 - Registration Now Open

From CCAE:

"This year's CCAE state conference, "Adult Education: The Bridge to College, Careers, and Communities," will distinguish our role and the impact adult educators make on a daily basis throughout our state. These past couple of years have been full of transition and change for California Adult Education; therefore, the Bay Section is putting together a conference filled with workshops, keynote speakers, and exhibitors that will significantly assist and equip us as we prepare our students to cross the bridge to college, careers, and communities. This is a professional development event you won't want to miss!"

The conference will be held at the San Francisco Airport Marriot.

Click here to register for the conference.

Click here to nominate someone for CCAE's State Level Awards.

Click here to apply for CCAE's Scholarships for Professional Growth

Professional development opportunities can include registration fees for conferences.

Highlights from the 2015 Network for Public Education Conference

January 2, 2015 - Somehow I neglected to click "publish" on this post.  I'm publishing it now - some 8 months after the conference because I believe the information in it is still relevant and of deep value.  -- Cynthia Eagleton

Hit the link to see the post.