Federal funding for adult literacy is in endangered

Federal funding for adult literacy programs would be gutted if President George Bush’s federal budget is upheld in Congress. The President called for slashing funds for adult education, including the Even Start Family Literacy Program, by almost two-thirds, from $569 million in 2005 to $207 million in 2006. Moves to restore at least some of the funding already have been quashed.

The Ad Hoc Legislative Committee of the GMLC was formed to advocate for full funding of adult literacy programs. The committee – Marilyn Hegge, Chris Breihan and Diane Steigerwald, welcomes additional members and ideas. Contact steigerd@matc.edu.

The committee decided that it is important to keep our senators and representatives informed of the successes and accomplishments of our adult literacy programs. To that end, The Key Newspaper invited them to the Readers as Writers celebration on May 4, and to the GED graduation at MATC on June 1.

The committee also urges all GMLC members to contact their senators and representatives, explaining how cuts would affect their students and urging them to fight for restored funding for adult literacy. It is effective to have students write letters, too.

GMLC agencies well represented
in statewide Celebration of Literacy

Four of the seven winners of Wisconsin Literacy’s Celebration of Literacy are members of groups represented in GMLC. In addition, 13 GMLC nominees received honorable mention. The statewide celebration was held May 19 in Madison with awards being presented by Lisa Schubert, Executive Director of Wisconsin Literacy, and First Lady Jessica Doyle.

Outstanding Achievement in a Workplace Literacy Program

UAW Local 438 Skill Center at Delphi E &S in Oak Creek

Since 1996, the DEED (Delphi Electronics Educational Development) program has allowed employees to pursue educational opportunities during their 40-hour workweek and earn their full hourly wage and benefits and be guaranteed a job when they achieve their goals. Instead of having employees remain idle or be subject to a layoff when work in the plant is at a low level, the option is given to enter the DEED program.

The program is supported by both the union and company management. Eleven employees have taken advantage of this program to obtain their high school diplomas while studying in the Skill Center. MATC teachers staff the Skill Center and help the students with their learning. In addition, 13 employees have pursued post-secondary degrees. Accepting the award were Jay Reinke, Skill Center site administrator, Edgar Russell, site administrator when the DEED program was instituted, and Mary Moze, Skill Center instructor.

-- Mary Moze

Tutor of the Year

William Heiser, Council for the Spanish Speaking

He began, in the early 1990s, by preparing students to take their citizenship test. He also worked with students who needed one-on-one tutoring with reading. After taking a leave when his wife was ill and subsequently passed away, Bill’s skills and knowledge landed him in the GED preparation program. Now he works three to four days per week, three or more hours per day.

One of Bill’s greatest attributes is his patience when working with students. Being a successful business owner, he also shares an employer’s perspective when students have questions about getting a job, asking for a raise, etc.

-- Kay MacKenzie

English Language Learner of the Year

Leticia Zuniga, Racine Literacy Council

Leticia Zuniga was born in Mexico and came to the U.S. in December 1997. When Leticia began meeting with her tutor in 2000, she knew no English. She is now at the Low Intermediate ABE level, and her goal is to get her GED and then study to become a nurse.

Leticia became a U.S. citizen on January 20, 2004. She registered to vote and voted in November’s election. She has also earned her driver’s license, bought her own car, obtained a mortgage and bought a house. She got a better job in February, 2004.

In 2004, she wrote a story, “Setting Goals," for Life’s Voyages 2, Racine Literacy Council’s book of student writings. Leticia is a member of the National Adult Education Honor Society and volunteers her time helping with administrative work at the council.

-- Diane Snell

Courage Award for Achievement in a Jail or Correctional Setting

Por Choua Yang, Racine Youthful Offender Correctional Facility

Por Choua Yang arrived in Wisconsin in 1986 from an overseas refugee camp. He was two months old. Por's father died when he was eight. His mother remarried and the family moved to Appleton. His parents spoke only Hmong.

Por struggled in school, but reached the 10th grade. Then a bad choice on his part landed him in a correctional setting in 2003. Upon his arrival he decided he wanted to graduate from school and make his family proud of him. With help from teachers and tutors, Por’s reading has improved as a result of working on computer programs with emphasis on organization and vocabulary skills. In January 2005, Por Yang became the first member of his family to graduate.

Por is glad that his mother and teachers never gave up on him. He will be leaving corrections shortly to embark on a V.T.A.E study program at his community technical college.

-- Francis Feltman