An Update from Pavlos Roussos,
State Director for Adult Education and Literacy
Division of Adult and Community Education Texas Education Agency
I would like to take this opportunity to thank adult education and literacy
providers for their on-going commitment for literacy and perseverance
in dealing with challenges resulting from increased demand for services,
funding reductions, and legislative proposals regarding the focus of adult
education and literacy. In FY 1995-96, over 240,000 adults enrolled in literacy
programs funded by the Texas Education Agency, an increase of over 25,000
in 1994-95. As we enter the new fiscal year, it is important to keep in perspective
the various initiatives and developments that impact adult education
and literacy.
The adult education and literacy system administered by the Texas Education Agency received a cut in federal
allocations for the current year (FY 1996-97) as a result of across-the-board budget cuts. Similarly, the
appropriation for state adult education and literacy was also reduced somewhat. And so, this year will present
challenges of trying to keep programs stabilized, maintain quality services, and literally do more with less.
There is some relief on the federal horizon, however. Thanks to the joint efforts of all literacy providers,
Congressional appropriations for adult education and literacy for the next fiscal year have recently been increased
and Texas will receive an additional $6.8 million beginning July 1, 1997. Since the proposed federal workforce
development legislation was not enacted, adult education and literacy programs will continue to operate under
the current adult education regulations. This means that 10% of the federal funds will continue to be set-aside
for institutionalized adults and 15% will be used for teacher training and special projects.
State legislation enacted by the 74th Texas Legislature under SB 1 keeps adult education and literacy as part of the
education system and maintains the broad purposes of adult education and literacy. With adult education
recognized as part of public education in SB 1, the State Board of Education adopted a policy statement for adult
education and literacy. The policy statement declares that "Every Texan, regardless of age, is entitled to a basic
education" and that "The mission of adult education and literacy is to ensure that all adults who live in Texas have
the skills necessary to function effectively in their personal and family lives, in the workplace, and in the community."
The State Board of Education Task Force on Adult Education and Literacy has released a report,
Adult Literacy: A Texas Priority, which complements the policy statement.
Family literacy is addressed in both the policy statement and the report. In its legislative recommendations
for the next biennium, the State Board of Education is urging funding for parent literacy programs as part of the
Governor's Texas Reading Initiative. The TEA has recently received a Statewide Even Start Family Literacy
Initiative grant which will develop technical assistance to improve family literacy services by building the capacity
of local providers to coordinate and integrate existing federal, state and local resources. Also, the TEA is funding
the Texas Family Literacy Assistance Center at Baylor University which provides technical assistance and training.
Federal appropriations for the Even Start Family Literacy program will not increase in FY 1997-98.
The recently enacted welfare legislation (The Personal Responsibility Act of 1996) deletes the JOBS program
effective July 1, 1997 and contains provisions which could have a substantial impact upon adult education services.
Unlike the JOBS program, the Act de-emphasized education in favor of immediate attachment to the labor force.
Further guidance regarding education is expected in the near future.
Statewide adult education projects funded by the TEA this year include the development of an assessment system
for adult education and literacy; the Adult Literacy Clearinghouse at Texas A&M University; Project VITAL
(Volunteers In Training for Adult Literacy); and the Adult Education Professional Development and Curriculum
Consortium. These, and other projects support efforts for program improvement and accountability. The TEA has
also been collaborating with workforce agencies in the development of the One-Stop Career Centers.
The Indicators of Program Quality for Adult Education have been incorporated in the State Board of Education rules
for adult education and will be used in evaluating programs along with accomplishment of federal goals of
recruitment, retention, learner outcomes, and long-term learning gains. Continued collaboration among adult
education literacy providers and involvement of our local communities are crucial to the success of our literacy
efforts. Please feel free to contact me or my staff at (512) 463-9294.
  
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