Frequently asked questions about the conference
by Mary Kay Peterson, La Communidad Hispana, PAACE President

I’d like to thank the membership for giving me the opportunity to serve you as president this year. It is truly an honor, as has the over a decade of time I’ve spent on the PAACE board. We have a dynamic board of directors that has, I think, the best mix of members with those with many years of experience to new board members Emmett Baxendell, Rob Bender, Frank Nardone, Debbie Hrach, and Joe Morales. Everyone on the board brings an unrivaled skill level and experience and I thank them for giving their time and energies to PAACE.

Now that this year’s Midwinter Conference is a pleasant blur (in my memory) I thought I would address some of the comments many of you took the time to offer on the overall conference evaluations. Most were very positive and appreciative of efforts, some offered constructive criticisms and one or two were just cranky but thanks for those, too!

The most perennial question, every year, is WHY have the conference in February. The first and foremost reason is that it is the cheapest time of year at the Hershey Convention Center. We can’t get a booking from May to November and the rooms would cost twice as much, and we don’t think we’d get much of a draw in December. March to May has many of us tied to our computers with grant writing. The Hershey Convention Center is the only facility outside of Pittsburgh and Philadelphia that can accommodate a conference the size of ours and we know that having to shuttle from hotel to convention center makes folks cranky, too.

A few asked for more computers in the labs. We would like to be able to offer that, but the cost (this will be a recurring theme) is prohibitive and that’s with a significant discount from Penn State.

The remarks around the scheduling of sessions run something like this … ”there were too many of this type” and “there weren’t enough of this type.” Then there are the “rooms were too cold” and “rooms were too hot.” The food was good, the food was terrible, and the negative comment on the vegetarian banquet meal is true.

The Marketplace is open from 8:00 am until 5:00 pm on Thursday because after that, folks have gone for dinner or the banquet and it is a very long day for the vendors as it is. Think of having to stand there, with no real break, all day smiling. All the vendors rave about our conference as having the nicest, most committed and interested attendees, but it’s still a long day. There was a comment about the fact that we had fewer vendors this year and that is true, too. A very visible result of the economy and budget cuts. Vendors pay $425 plus for a booth space, plus travel expenses, and a few of the smaller publishers just couldn’t swing it.

We would have liked to be able to provide breakfast for free as we have in the past but, again, PAACE couldn’t afford to do that this year. We did not want to raise registration fees the same year we raised meal costs, but an early warning: the registration fee will more than likely go up for next year.

I hope that this helps you understand some of the reasons why we do the things we do. And I haven’t even touched on the issues of scheduling 130 workshops! If you have a question or comment you’d like a response to, call or e-mail me at mkpeterson@chesco.com and I’ll be happy to answer!

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TANF and WIA in reauthorization process
by JoAnn Weinberger, Center for Literacy, PAACE Legislative Committee Chair

State Update
Governor Rendell has recommended to the Legislature a hold even budget for ‘04-‘05. At the Midwinter Conference, attendees signed petitions urging an increase. The petitions and list of signers is being sent to members of the House and Senate.

Federal Update
Reauthorization of Temporary Aid for Needy Families (TANF). The United States Senate agreed, via unanimous consent, to provide for a clean three-month extension of the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program. S. 2231 is a bipartisan bill introduced by Senators Charles Grassley and Max Baucus. The bill now heads to the U.S. House for their agreement. S. 2231 provides another temporary lifeline for TANF and its related programs. The current lifeline for TANF, which was agreed to in late 2003, is set to expire March 31, 2004. The extension is both timely and appropriate given that the U.S. Senate will begin debate April 1 on H.R. 4 – the full five-year reauthorization of TANF.

Reauthorization of the Workforce Investment Act (WIA). Although both the U.S. House and Senate have passed their versions of the bill, no conference committee has yet been named to work out the differences. If this bill does not go to conference, differences worked out, pass the House and Senate, and get signed by the President by next Fall, the process will have to begin anew with the new Congress next January. Meanwhile, the current WIA remains in place.

For information on the differences between the House and Senate versions, please click on this link for Cheryl Keenan’s presentation at the PAACE Midwinter Conference: http://paacesite.org/KeenanPAACE04.doc

Federal Appropriations: In his ‘04 budget (which would impact adult basic and literacy education for the ‘05-‘06 fiscal year), President Bush has recommended a hold even budget for state grants and a zeroing out of Even Start. Pennsylvania family literacy advocates will need to make their voices heard!

2004 Election: To find out the positions on adult education of the presidential candidates (President Bush and Senator Kerry, as well as PA senatorial primary candidates Senator Specter and Congressman Toomey), PAACE developed the following survey, which has been addressed to each candidate:

QUESTIONS:

1.) The Adult Education State Grant Program creates a partnership among the federal government, states, and localities to provide adult education and literacy services. Its purpose is to assist adults in becoming literate and in obtaining the knowledge and skills necessary for employment and self-sufficiency. President Bush has called for flat funding for FY2005 at $574 million. Literacy organizations nationwide are calling for increasing the federal appropriation for this program to $1 billion. PAACE strongly supports this level of funding to meet basic needs, such as: the rising demand for English as a Second Language (ESL) instruction; funding for at least one full-time teacher for every adult education program; and increasing the use of instruction technology.

Do you support $ 1 Billion for the Adult Education State Grant Program?

2.) The reauthorization of TANF will have a direct impact on many adult education students. PAACE does not support a number of provisions in current versions of the bill, including: Limiting time allowed for education and training programs to 4 out of every 24 months; and increasing state work requirements to 70% of their caseload working 40 hours per week. These measures will force many adult education students to dropout, and will limit their ability to find lasting, good jobs.

Will you work to eliminate these counterproductive new provisions and allow welfare reform to work?

3.) Jobs are becoming increasingly information sensitive. More than 50% of all new jobs will require some post-secondary education. In order to stay competitive in the global marketplace, more of Pennsylvania’s workforce will need to increase their skills through adult education programs. In addition, many new immigrants will need ESL classes to help them become productive members of society.

Do you believe that Adult Education programs are an important part of any strategy to grow the economy?

4.) The American Medical Association estimates that $74 billion in annual health care costs is attributable to the effects of under-education and limited proficiency in English. For example, parents are not always able to read or understand prescription instructions for themselves and their children.

What will you do to address Health Literacy?

5) Family literacy programs encourage reading and other educational activities between parents and children. Family literacy programs have received funding through the federal Even Start program, which this year has been zeroed out in the President’s budget.

Will you seek to reinstate funding for Even Start to its current level of $248 million?

6) The baccalaureate degree is becoming the entry point to the workforce for the majority of students, making it increasingly important that the transfer from two-year to four-year institutions work well. The Community College Partnership Act of 2003 (H.R.1871) has been introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives to encourage partnerships between community colleges and four-year colleges and universities. Improving the effectiveness of transfers from two-year to four-year postsecondary institutions will be the key to national progress in closing the gap among racial groups in degree attainment and has the potential to affect far more students than affirmative action policy.

Will you support initiatives such as House bill 1871 that encourages partnerships between two-year and four-year institutions of higher education to take the lead in preparing America’s multicultural workforce for the 21st century?

7.) Nearly 50% of adults in Pennsylvania need literacy skills to be effective workers, parents, and citizens. State and federal funds for Adult Basic and Literacy Education only reach about 53,000 Pennsylvanians, or 1.5% of the population in need

What will be your legacy with regard to Adult Education?

Watch for the answers to the questions. They will be posted on the PAACE Web site.

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Adult Basic and Secondary Education (ABSE)
Postconference reflections
by Chuck Klinger, TIU #11 Adult Education Dept., PAACE ABSE Division Director

There was nice turnout at the PAACE Conference from the Adult Basic and Secondary Education Division. There was a good mix of presentations for PAACE members to choose from. There were also some good opportunities for conference attendees to network. We did receive some feedback from the conference evaluations and during our division meeting that will be considered in planning next year’s conference and addressed here in PAACE News.

Most people attending our division meeting enjoyed this year’s format of having it earlier in the conference and having ice cream rather than lunch. Of course, this is feedback from those who could attend – if there are those that couldn’t make it and were disappointed at the change in time, please let me know. We had a speaker at the meeting discussing using a CD-ROM version of the GED Practice Test. Those involved with the GED enjoyed this, although maybe this wasn’t the best offering for everyone. I will be happy to hear any preferences you have about our division meeting.

For the coming year, we would like to provide you with some opportunities to network during the year. A lot of times it is possible for people to get together at training events, but we would like to be able to have some events dedicated to networking for our members. Once again, if you have any ideas on how you would like to see this happen, please let me know. My e-mail address is cklinger@tiu11.org.

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With today’s lifestyle of juggling family, work, and other important responsibilities, going back to school is not high on the priority list of most adults. According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), 64% of the students who graduate high school but have no higher degree are in the workforce (NCES, Digest of Education Statistics, 2002). This is not for lack of wanting that degree but more likely the fear of entering an unfamiliar environment at an older age than the “traditional college student.”

There also are those who did go to college right after high school but fell into non-academic distractions that made their transcripts less than perfect. After years of working up the corporate ladder, they may now be well-respected members of the workforce and in a good position in life. But they may be in a position that the Sunday classifieds list as “Bachelor’s degree or related work experience preferred” and they may be wondering if they should go back and get a degree.

In today’s market of corporate takeovers and mergers, many positions, especially middle management and lower-end jobs, are in danger. A bachelor’s degree would look good on a résumé and give an edge, or at least equal the playing field, when looking for a new job or a promotion. The NCES projects that over 1,160,000 students will earn a bachelor’s degree by the year 2009, a jump of 8% from the year 1997 (NCES, Projection of Education Statistics to 2009, 1999).

Education in the Pittsburgh area

Pittsburgh-area colleges and universities have been offering classes for adult students for many decades. Evening and Saturday courses have been a staple at most schools. Community Colleges have always offered flexible scheduling for the working student. Now, more and more institutions are recognizing the growing need to offer degree programs for the nontraditional adult student. Schools like Robert Morris University, the first institution in the area to offer a program in which students could take all of their classes on Saturday to earn a bachelor’s degree. Duquesne University followed shortly after with a one-day-a-week Saturday program. Robert Morris University and Point Park University have offered evening and Saturday classes for their adult students for almost as long as they have been around.

Now, colleges and universities in the Pittsburgh area are focusing even more on the adult student. The University of Pittsburgh has opened a department dedicated to the teaching and learning of adult students, called Learning Solutions. Carlow College has an Adult Degree Center with over 13 degree programs in the evenings and Saturdays. Robert Morris University has created a new school dedicated to the nontraditional learner, the School of Adult and Continuing Education, and, as many schools are starting to do, offers some of their classes exclusively online.

Competitive market?

Other “traditional” schools that are not in the immediate Pittsburgh area have moved to convenient locations near the city to better serve adult students. Geneva College, Waynesburg College, and California University of PA offer classes at multiple locations near Pittsburgh. So you can see that the education arena has expanded and become more competitive in regards to the adult student.

But the competitiveness is not a fierce one. The Continuing Education Association of Pennsylvania (CEA/PA, PAACE partner) has made sure of that. A chapter in Western PA is comprised of over 20 schools in the Pittsburgh area and beyond that are involved specifically with the education of adults, whether undergraduate, graduate, or for personal enrichment. CEA/PA’s mission is to help promote higher education in Pennsylvania and to promote cooperation rather than competition. The association meets every month to share thoughts and ideas on how to attract the adult student to return to school and finish that degree. Each year they hold an Adult Expo in the Pittsburgh area where the schools set up booths so that students can compare programs. The association promotes professional development among its members so they can better serve the adult student population.

With innovative programs aimed at adult students in place and growing, the excuses for not earning the bachelor’s degree are running out. There is time to go, there are convenient locations, one doesn’t have to sacrifice family time, one doesn’t have to quit their job, and, best of all, it won’t take 20 years to complete a degree. When you add education into the equation it can only equal advancement, both professional and personal.

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The Act 48 clock is ticking
by Chuck Klinger, TIU #11 Adult Education Dept., PAACE ABSE Division Director

A lot of PAACE members hold Pennsylvania teaching certificates, so we thought it would be a good idea to provide some information about Act 48. As you probably know, Act 48 requires anyone holding an active teaching certificate in Pennsylvania to obtain 6 college credits or 180 hours of professional development credit every five years. Anyone holding a teaching certificate in Pennsylvania not meeting these requirements will have their certificate deemed “inactive.”

This began July 1, 2000, meaning anyone holding a certificate at that time needs to complete their requirements by June 30, 2005. Teachers awarded a certificate after July 1, 2000, have five years from the date their certificate was awarded. At the end of the five-year period, the requirement begins again: 6 credits or 180 hours during the next five-year period.

Unlike Continuing Education Units (CEU), which the training participant collects and maintains, Act 48 hours are very tightly monitored. The training provider is required to upload the hours to the PDE database as well as maintain complete records of the event. Any participant not completing the paperwork exactly as instructed does not receive credit. If you would like to know how many Act 48 hours you have accumulated, you can find out on the Act 48 section of the PDE Web site and select: Check an educator's Continuing Education progress.

As time is running out, teachers should be checking their hours to see if they are making sufficient progress. If you are concerned about not being able to meet the requirements of Act 48, here are some considerations:

• You can combine different credit types. Each college credit counting toward Act 48 equals 30 professional development hours. So, if you feel you can obtain 90 hours, you could take one approved, 3-credit college course to get your other 90 hours. If you feel you can get 120 hours, a 2-credit course would suffice. Or, take two 3-credit courses and you don’t need to worry about professional development hours. Remember, before shelling out big bucks for a college course to make sure it will count toward your Act 48 credit.
• You can make your certificate voluntarily inactive. Keep in mind, some employers require an active certificate, even those outside of K-12 schools. Also, there are requirements before you can re-activate it. A certified educator may apply for inactive status any time during their five-year period by submitting the PDE-338R form from the PDE Web site or contacting the Bureau of Teacher Certification and Preparation at (717) 787-3356. When applying for removal of inactive status, educators must present evidence of having completed 30 hours of continuing education within the 12 months preceding their application to the Bureau of Teacher Certification and Preparation. They must then complete the same number of credits/hours within the same amount of time as existed at the time inactive certification was granted. Do your homework before selecting this option.
• It is possible to apply for an extension of the five-year period due to extenuating circumstances. For more information, contact the Department of Education ASAP. The Act also provides for an educator's right to appeal a notice of inactive certification.
• In addition to professional development offerings you may be familiar with, there are Act 48-eligible online courses at http://PA.ProfessionalEducation.org or search for offerings at https://www.perm.ed.state.pa.us/offerings.asp.

These are just some suggestions for anyone concerned about their hours. Please check out all of your options before exploring voluntarily deactivating your certificate. Anyone interested in learning all of the ins and outs of Act 48 should visit that section of the PDE Web site at www.teaching.state.pa.us/teaching/cwp/view.asp?a=11&Q=32371.

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Stephen Gatlin, president of Gatlin Education Services (GES), spoke at the PAACE Midwinter Conference about how online career and workforce training programs can equip adult students with the skills that are in high demand today. GES is a provider of online career training programs to colleges and universities. GES works in partnership with noncredit units at major colleges and universities nationwide, offering over 30 comprehensive online career training programs in:

• Healthcare
• CompTIA Certification
• Networking/Microsoft Certification
• Internet/Graphic & Web Design/Technical
• Business/Travel

Visit www.gatlineducation.com for program descriptions and demos. Courses are open enrollment and GES offers a financial loan program for students who need financial assistance. GES provides each student with an instructor for one-on-one assistance throughout the program. All materials are shipped directly from GES to the student upon registration. Students enjoy the convenience of a self-paced, online, instructor-supported course. Students usually complete a course in 90-180 days. The school provides a certificate upon successful completion.

For colleges and universities interested in partnering with GES, there is nothing to buy and no up-front costs, and you will generate substantial revenue on every enrollment. The most unique feature of working with GES is that we invest marketing dollars to help you create community awareness for these programs. If you would like to view samples please go to our marketing site at www.gatlineducation.com/marketing. If your school is interested in offering any of our programs, please contact me by phone at (866) 253-3884) or e-mail, tony@gatlineducation.com.

PAACE does not endorse this or any other commercial offering and provides the above information as a service to its members.

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Jackie Abel-Stavropoulous	Sister Ann Marie Harrison	Gina Rogers
Dorie Alger	Jim Hotton	Lisamarie Rollins
Melissa Baney	Sra Hyer	Marla Ryan
Jenice Barrett	Yvonne Jones	Carolee Schivley
Sue Barrow	Sarah Kraus	Dereck Schmidt
Wendy Barton	Nancy Laidacker	Ginger Shade
Connie Bennett	Asher Lapping	Ayesha Shahid
Christy Boyle	Georgean Leith	Mary Shelton
Minika Bryson	Crys Lemke	Andrew Simpson
Julie Capwell	David Lester	Joshua Smith
JoAnne Carrick	Eileen Lewbart	Murry Soash
Patrice Chudnovsky	Erika Loperbey	Peggy Soash
Bridget Davidson	Patricia Lundberg	Szilvia Szekely
Donna Dencler	James Mader	Cecelia Taddonio
Patrick Devine	Jeritta Maldovan	Lutfi Taleb
Caroline DiGiacomo	Esther Mefferd	John Trudeau
James Diller	Keith Mernin	Holly Vukson
Inez Dotson	Shannon Miscchler	Victoria Wayman
Alex Dow	Jamie Moffit	Stephanie Webb
Cecelia Eggers	Pierre Montagano	Margie Weitzel
Allegra Elson	Destiny Myers	Merrilynn Wheeler
Wyman Fowler	Mary Nardo	Becky Whoolery
Eliot Frieson	Ava Jean Oskin	Robert Wilkerson
Brenda Garcia	Glenn Pascal	Valerie Woodring
Christopher Glover	Marilyn Paylor	Theresa Wydan
Lori Grady	Gesine Politz	Debra Yaw
Sarah Gries	Jean Pursel	Lora Zangari
Kim Griffith	Tara Radzinski	Dorothy Zeppenfelt
Jane Hannon	Luis Rivera
Patricia Harrell	Joel Rodriguez

New Life Members

Rose Brandt

Linda Herr

Tana Reiff

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PAACE Journal is released

PAACE Journal of Lifelong Learning 2004 is in the mail. One copy is sent to each PAACE member as a member benefit. You can expect to yours to arrive in the next few weeks. Thanks to co-editors Dr. Trenton Ferro and Dr. Gary Dean, of the Department of Adult and Community Education, Indiana University of Pennsylvania.

In the PAACE Midwinter Conference program book, some key information was omitted in error from the New Readers Press advertisement. The new five-level ESL series English—No Problem! that appeared on page 77 is published by New Readers Press. For more information, visit the series Web site at www.enp.newreaderspress.com or the overall New Readers Press site at www.newreaderspress.com or call their customer service at (800) 448-8878.

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Making Math Real 4 Academy
Sharing Session
Friday, April 23, 2004, Noon to 5:00 PM
Holiday Inn City Line Avenue, Philadelphia
(Lunch provided)
Information: Sue Snider, Greater Pittsburgh Literacy Council, ssnider@gplc.org

Next day is meeting of the Adult Numeracy Network; see below.

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Workplace Education Conference
May 4-5, 2004
The Penn Stater, State College
The Workplace Education Conference will feature the most current information and best practices relating to the field of both pre-employment and incumbent worker basic skills training.
Information: KayLynn Hamilton, klh267@psu.edu

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Reading and Writing Institute
May 10-11, 2004
Radisson Penn Harris, Camp Hill
Information: Ellen McDevitt, emcdev@earthlink.net

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Northwest and Southwest Interregional Conference
June 11, 2004
Sharon Radisson, Sharon, PA
Information: Bootsie Barbour, nwpdc@stairwaysbh.org

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Information: Myrna Manly
12865 Silver Wolf Rd
Reno, NV 89511
E-mail: mmanly@earthlink.net
URL: http://shell04.theworld.com/std/anpn/

First sponsored in 1958, National Library Week is a national observance sponsored by the American Library Association (ALA) and libraries across the country each April. It is a time to celebrate the contributions of our nation’s libraries and librarians and to promote library use and support. All types of libraries – school, public, academic and special – participate.

Information: www.ala.org/ala/pio/factsheets/nationallibrary.htm

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2004 COABE Conference

AAACE 2004 Conference
Weaving Tradition and Innovation

November 3-6, 2004
The Galt House, Louisville, Kentucky

Conference Proposal deadline is May 31, 2004: www.aaace.org/conferences/forms/index.html

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Whatever your interest in adult education may be, the LINCS conference calendar has something for you--actually, LOTS of things for you. Check out this thorough list of conferences and events related to adult education, technology, and affiliated topics at: www.nifl.gov/cgi-bin/Calendar/calendar_world.cgi

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If you are a PAACE member and are not subscribed to the members e-mail list, you may use the simple sign-up process by going to www.paacesite.org, clicking on the link on the main page for the PAACE lists, and following the link for the members@paacesite.org list. Subscribers also may follow the link to change subscription information. Currently, Technology Committee chair Scot Mentzer is moderating the list but is still looking for assistance. List moderation is aimed at eliminating spam e-mail. Only subscribers may post to the list.

PAACE members are encouraged to be on the e-mail list in order to receive announcements and late-breaking legislative news.

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PAACE has an e-mail address. Write to paace@paacesite.org for general inquiries and information. Joan Leopold, PAACE executive director, will answer your questions or direct your e-mail to the appropriate person.