Archived Information

Students & Families Adult Education Adult & Community Learning Services
Adult and Community Learning Services

Curriculum Update, March 2009

Useful Resources:

Materials that may be useful in conjunction with MA Economic Stimulus Information

In the Workforce Development Updates section of this mailing, Andrea Perrault added information about the Economic Stimulus Bill and how ABE programs might collaborate with the workforce development system and local school districts to provide services to adult learners. (ABE Program Directors also received this information in an emailed memo from Anne Serino.) As we learn more, we'll send the information to you. Below are a few resources that might be helpful in considering how ABE programs could collaborate with the Workforce Development System.

• The Asian American Civic Association has created a new, interactive web site aimed at helping immigrant workers improve their communication skills with supervisors. Called "Communicating at Work," the web site is now available for anytime, anywhere learning at http://www.aaca-boston.org/caw/.

• A number of useful resources, including Integrating Career Awareness into the ABE/ESOL Classroom, by Martha Oesch and Carol Bower: http://www.sabes.org/workforce/system.htm

• SABES Workforce Development Initiative http://www.sabes.org/workforce/initiative.htm

• SABES Workforce Development / Workplace Education Resources in SABES Library. These materials may be mailed to users if needed. http://www.sabes.org/resources/bib/bibwork.htm

• A new guide on developing contextualized curriculum for workplace educators, by Jenny Lee Utech, formerly of the MA Worker Education Roundtable. This excellent guide will be on SABES' website shortly, but in the meantime, practitioners may receive a copy by contacting Connie Nelson at the Massachusetts Worker Education Roundtable:
  

  Connie Nelson, Executive Director, Mass Worker Education Roundtable
  48 Wyman Street Jamaica Plain, MA 02130
  Phone: 617-983-3667
  Email: Connie_nelson@hotmail.com

National Coalition for Literacy Launches Online Advocacy Toolkit

WASHINGTON - The National Coalition for Literacy (NCL), a national leadership organization dedicated to advancing adult education in the United States, announces the launch of its new online Advocacy Clearinghouse and Toolkit www.ncladvocacy.org. Developed with an aim to change the conversation about adult education in the U.S., the Toolkit provides adult education and literacy advocates with the tools and knowledge to raise awareness and speak for the needs of 30+ million Americans with limited literacy and the 11+ million who cannot communicate in English.

Recent statistics from the National Center on Education Statistics (NCES) showed that 1 in 7 U.S. adults have below basic literacy skills. They have difficulty finding employment, supporting their children's education, and negotiating the health care system due to low literacy, lack of a high school education, and limited English skills. Although the numbers remain little changed from similar statistics taken 15 years ago, federal support and resources for adult education have steadily declined over the years.

During this period of economic crisis, millions of adults are in search of improving their education and work skills in order to re-enter the workforce. There is no greater time than now for states and the federal government to invest in adult education, and NCL hopes to push that effort forward by providing the tools and resources to adult education advocates across the country.

Containing dozens of resources, facts, and reports provided by member organizations of the NCL, the Advocacy Clearinghouse and Toolkit is a "one-stop shop" for all advocates interested in improving adult education. This project has been generously supported by the Dollar General Literacy Foundation, which invests millions of dollars each year in literacy programs that help individuals reach their full potential.

The NCL is a national adult education leadership organization comprised of member organizations and adult education professionals, committed to promoting adult education and literacy, family literacy, and English language development in the US. NCL advances adult education, language, and literacy by fostering collaboration at the national level among public and private organizations. (Contact: Jennifer Maloney, Director, National Coalition for Literacy, PO Box 11592, Washington, DC 20008. 301-602-6358 (cell) jennifer.maloney@ncldc.net Web: www.national-coalition-literacy.org

Message from the FDIC

During our changing -- and challenging -- economic times, consumer financial education takes on added importance. This issue of Money Smart News provides timely resources for financial educators to use to help people of all ages and income levels understand how they can more effectively manage their money.

FDIC Web Site Features Resources on How and Why to Save Money

Savings are critical in helping consumers handle everything from surprise expenses to income disruptions to paying for a home or college education. A new FDIC Web page provides links to savings-related resources for financial institutions, community-based organizations, and others involved in financial education. Go to http://www.fdic.gov/deposit/deposits/savings.html

Federal Programs Promoting Economic Recovery Via Financial Education

The FDIC has partnered with the White House, the U.S. Department of the Treasury, the Commerce Department, and other federal offices to produce a Web site that focuses on how Americans can protect their savings. Financial educators and their students can learn more by visiting www.economicrecovery.gov. Also, given the current challenging economic situation and the need for financial education, the FDIC highlights the availability of grants for financial educators from two Money Smart partners in the federal government. One program, from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Assets for Independence, provides funds for financial education and asset building for low-income families. For more information, visit: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ocs/afi/. The other program, from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, offers grants for colleges and universities to work in the area of financial education in their local communities. To learn more, visit: http://www.oup.org/programs/programs.asp

Promoting Financial Education at IRS Tax-Preparation Sites: Success Stories

Money Smart partners are making a difference in local communities by helping to offer free tax help to eligible wage earners through IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) sites. To read how Money Smart can be used with the VITA program to deliver financial education at a "teachable moment," see the latest installment of our "Success Stories." (Read this story and tips.)

FDIC Publication Helps Consumers Understand Changes in Deposit Insurance Coverage

The Fall 2008 FDIC Consumer News explains recent changes in the deposit insurance rules -- primarily a temporary boost in the basic insurance limit from $100,000 to $250,000 through December 31, 2009 -- and provides other information to help bank customers understand how their deposits are protected. Educators and students can subscribe free to the online version of the newsletter. (See the latest newsletter and subscription information.)

New Spanish-Language Web Site Helps Depositors Understand Their Money Is Federally Insured

The FDIC has created a Web site devoted to material and information the agency makes available in Spanish on deposit insurance coverage. The site -- www.fdicseguro.gov -- features the FDIC's new version of our Electronic Deposit Insurance Estimator (EDIE), as well as a Spanish public service announcement that encourages consumers to keep their funds in federally insured institutions where their money will be safe and can grow. Readers of the Fall 2008 Money Smart News may recall the FDIC launched a similar Web site -- www.myfdicinsurance.gov -- in English.

Questions? Please contact Jane Schwerdtfeger at janes@doe.mass.edu