What We Do
2011 U.S. Conference on Adult Literacy Call for Proposals ProLiteracy is seeking presentation proposals for the newly formed U.S. Conference on Adult Literacy (USCAL) in Houston, Texas, Nov. 2-5, 2011. USCAL’s central mission is to forge new partnerships, while also providing expert professional development and training opportunities for programs and providers from adult literacy and education, family literacy, workforce development, library, corrections, and social service organizations, in order to expand and improve services. Program Focus
Adults and older youth face enormous challenges obtaining the basic education, training, and information they need to pursue careers that pay living wages and to fully participate in civic roles and responsibilities. Those whose first language is not English face additional challenges. The adult literacy, basic education, and workforce development fields today face enormous challenges related to funding, changing federal policy, and a push for more evaluation and outcome measures—all while experiencing an unprecedented increase in demand for services in a down economy. USCAL recognizes the intersection of these challenges with social justice and social change efforts and seeks to explore what these challenges mean for program leaders, managers, instructors, service providers, adult learners, and volunteers. USCAL also seeks to explore innovative solutions to these challenges and the important connections between adult and family literacy, workforce development, community development, libraries, corrections, social services, and the broader education community. The conference planning team is looking for proposals for presentations focused on one or more of the following: - Creating successful collaborations and/or community linkages to expand and improve services
- Improving instruction in adult literacy, basic education, or English language learning programs
- Raising awareness and advocating effectively for adult literacy work in communities, libraries, corrections, and workforce development programs
- Recognizing literacy as a human right and the connections between literacy, social justice, and social change
- Looking at adult literacy in global contexts
- Supporting learner leadership in programs, workplaces, communities, and advocacy efforts at all levels
- Leading and managing adult literacy programs in tough economic times
- Using technology to enhance learning and digital literacy, provide new services, and solve problems
- Transitioning adult learners to new learning environments, the workplace, and post-secondary education
All proposals must be submitted online by Friday, June 3, 2011. Initial selection of proposals will be made in June 2011. Presenter Online Application Form Questions? Please contact the USCAL conference team at [email protected]
or call Jane Greiner, professional development coordinator at 315-422-9121 ext. 283
Conference Partners
American Association of Adult and Continuing Education (AAACE)
American Library Association (ALA)
Association of Adult Literacy Professional Developers (AALPD)
Center for Applied Linguistics (CAL)
Correctional Education Association
Council for Advancement of Adult Literacy
Home Builders Institute
Home Safety Council
Houston READ Commission
Interweave Solutions
Jobs for the Future (JFF)
KET, Kentucky Educational Television
Literacy Funders Network
Literacy Powerline
Literacy Texas
National Association for Adults with Special Learning Needs (NAASLN)
National Coalition for Literacy
National Forum on Information Literacy (NFIL)
ProLiteracy Council of State Organizations
Senior Service America
Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)
Texas Center for the Advancement of Literacy and Learning (TCALL)
The Coalition of Lifelong Learning Organizations (COLLO)
Voice of Adult Learners United to Educate (VALUE)
Women Expanding Literacy Education Action Resource Network (WE LEARN)
World Education
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