Publication: Is this Story Literacy , Decent Jobs or Political Will?

• Education Writers Association

Six reporters in diverse areas looked at how their
communities were responding to adult literacy, basic
skills, and workplace literacy programs. This guide
contains six reports, three in each of its two parts: (1)
Reporting on Welfare Reform--Is the Story Literacy or
Decent Jobs? and (2) Reporting on Literacy Programs--Is
There a "Literacy/Basic Skills" System? Part 1 contains the
following papers: "San Diego--Gain, but at a Big Price"
(Sharong Jones); "Akron--Training for 'Slave Labor,'"
(Thrity Umrigar); and "Belle Glade--Heavy on Referrals,
Light on Jobs" (Christopher Boyd). Part 2 contains the
following papers: "Laurel--Adjusting Again to Higher
Skills" (Lea Anne Brandon, Reagan Walker); "Tucson--Skills
Gap in Two Languages" (Susan Knight); and "Westchester
County--Cracks in the Systems" (Rhoda Gilinsky). The
following conclusions are presented: (1) few data attest to
the success of these programs; (2) math skills may be more
important than reading skills; (3) lack of support services
is a significant barrier to program success; (4) no single
system for adult literacy exists; (5) more coordination
between programs and employers is needed; and (6) programs
are more successful if participants improve literacy skills
while preparing for jobs. (NLA)