DOCUMENT RESUME CE 072 773 ED 400 421 Portraits. Colorado Literacy and Adult Basic Skills TITLE Education. Colorado State Dept. of Education, Denver. State INSTITUTION Library and Adult Education Office. PUB DATE 96 NOTE 20p. Reports PUB TYPE Descriptive (141) EDRS PRICE MFO1 /PCO1 Plus Postage. Adult Basic Education; *Adult Literacy; Basic Skills; DESCRIPTORS Citizen Participation; Citizenship Education; Coping; Functional Literacy; *Literacy Education; *Outcomes of Education; *Participant Satisfaction; Self Actualization; State Programs; Workplace Literacy *Colorado; Family Literacy IDENTIFIERS ABSTRACT .This booklet profiles seven participants in Colorado adult literacy and basic skills education programs and describes the effects that participating in literacy and adult basic education have had on participants, their families, and their communities. The first profile illustrates the positive effects that parents' participation in literacy and basic skills education can have on their children's social and educational development. The next three profiles demonstrate how participation in literacy and basic skills education can help individuals achieve citizenship, find success in the workplace, and find employment and participate in community activities despite their disabilities. In the final three profiles, past participants in literacy and basic skills education share their views regarding what their educational experiences have meant to their individual development, self-esteem/self-confidence, family life, and ability to cope with health problems. (MN) *********************************************************************** Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made * from the original document. *********************************************************************** AITS PORTR ), 7`. "PERMISSION TO REPRODUCE THIS U.E. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Office of Educatronal Research and improvement MATERIAL HAS BEEN GRANTED BY ED TIONAL RESOURCES INFORMATION CENTER (ERIC) This document has been reproduced as received from the person or organization originating it O Minor changes have been made to improve reproduction quality. TO HE EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES Points of view or OPInlons stated in this docu- ment do not necessarily represent official INFORMATION CENTER (ERIC)." OERI positron or policy. SKILLS EDUCATION COLORADO LITERACY AND ADULT BASIC BEST COPY AVAILABLE The problem or some 44 million American adults are functionally illiterate 23% Colorado's solution Colorado Literacy and Adult Basic Skills Education 4 has Adult illiteracy is a problem that DIAN BATES EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR COLORADO DEPARTMENT OF far-reaching consequences. It erodes the EDUCATION OFFICE OF ADULT EDUCATION confidence and.performance of the individual, the family, effects are self- the community, the state, and the nation. Its intergenerational perpetuating. The cycle must be broken. solution is The problem of adult illiteracy has a solution. In Colorado, the education. recognized and in place: Colorado literacy and adult basic skills work. Statistics verify that literacy and adult basic skills education programs of Accountability demands more, though, than numbers. The real measure of effectiveness is in how this educational process has improved the quality workforce individual lives, strengthened family unity, and increased productivity whose lives have We bring you Portraits, a publication spotlighting people of Colorado been positively changed through self-determination, the support of literacy and adult basic skills education programs, and the encouragement call local business, social, and civic collaborators, whom we feel privileged to partners in the war against illiteracy. DIAN BATES 5 1 A 0 LI E AC & DULT BASIC SKILLS EDUCATION IN THE FAMILY When Nigeria Adams entered Denver's Adult Learning Source (A.L.S.) she was 19, unemployed, a single mother of two, and without a and her children were "star" high school diploma. A year and a participants. Today she is able to half later, she had her G.E.D., her spend more quality time with first job, and was on her way to Deion and his younger brother COMMUNITY PARTNER JACK DOAK becoming a computer specialist. She G'kar. MARKETING DIRECTOR IKON OFFICE SOLUTION, INC. had also become a better parent. "A.L.S. has taught me to calm DENVER, COLORADO At the beginning of her involve- down and take a look at the "Children whose parents lack ment in the program, Nigeria's son situation before reacting. I have basic literacy skills fall behind their peers by two or more Deion was having difficulties become a better listener. Now I read grades. Soon, they become the adjusting to his preschool environ- more to my children, and they listen next generation of parents lacking these skills, and the ment. He didn't play well with his to me. They pick out the stories and cycle continues. The Adult classmates. Because of this, Nigeria we read together." Learning Source is a program was reluctant to participate in Nigeria has also been selected to devoted to family literacy. These programs are vital if we Parent and Child Together appear on Channel 6's "Parenting are to break this vicious cycle (P.A.C.T.) activities, but personal Works," which profiles families and of poor, or no, literacy skills in the family." drive and the will to succeedfor highlights child-rearing issues. herself and for her childrenkept Currently, she is attending a Nigeria on track. Then she began to computer class at Tec East while her children are cared for on the see results. By the time she earned her Clayton Campus. G.E.D. (November 1995), Nigeria Nigeria is determined to complete her training and set an example for Deion and G'Kar that 11=111 will have positive and lasting effects. 1,519 Coloradans moved from literacy and adult basic education classes into 6 employment in 1995. a "I have learned that once I put my mind to it, I can achieve it, and my children will learn that from me. f 004111111K.twi a , ,` - 4-Vq 411,418. , - - 4-- ...1 , 1 - ` .2" - ... -irr- : '..i-i...'710 '' . % ic... 44 .:.. -..- /S.' ;,.". ' . ' ;.'..: -41,0r, .:-' . - t ,f,: , ''''."..1..*(f.'.". ',,,,,..41" .:410e ,c, - .1.12..41.....: 4 ........ : '.' ' ,,,f-,. 7 ,:-.it , : :::.K.-ftill' pe°":--* : k f...-4.1k..4rr4 4e . - r"...74:0',. -C-!'..>;,' . .--.. ``,. . . .....c......:2.-...P.J:t. ' ' .1..,;.,,, 1...i.x....?.."... .. l' i...'4.i.'.-'2..i.:4-,.: ...411. '.:.":".......1.; . l'Il: - ...f..",'";4:1.-.71. :', 1 :. .r..: ...,,,'4 ...iirt.anr.... 0.r...... k"st! - .-: ,-.....,44 2. . ."./ e.47;17'4` 2. '''' '',014*474;it,',:g :. A.t;-,... z?...,. 7* .. kiat 4:: *'f.:- firdia.r2; ?, ;!7'T-S:*:e*"':... '.'4.7;;;AZ BEST COPY AVAILABLE 0 0 0 CIA MIS CADISLTSAShC UCATION (St CITIZENSHIP I O E When Mary Stoner met her husband in Mexico 20 years ago, she spoke only Spanish, and he confidence grew, and soon she spoke only English. Since then, began working as a crossing guard Mary has been working on improv- for her children's school. When it ing her English-language skills. finally came time to be interviewed Mary began working with Gertrude, COMMUNITY PARTNER by the Immigration and Naturaliza- SENATOR TOM NORTON her Right to Read volunteer tutor, PRESIDENT OF THE STATE SENATE tion Service, Mary was ready. GREELEY, COLORADO in 1993. On July 29, 1994, Mary After gaining her citizenship, "My hope is called Gertrude to say she had Mary proudly wrote to her state that many more of passed all the tests and was now a our citizens can achieve senator. She received a proclama- naturalized U.S. citizen. A week theii goals with the tion from the Colorado Legislature wonderful assistance later, she registered to vote. When offered by this kind and a letter from Senate President Mary voted in her first election, of program." Tom Norton. In it he commended Gertrude claimed Mary probably Mary and the program that had knew more about the issues than helped her. she did! Now that her children are all in Gertrude and Mary were school full time, Mary has begun neighbors. When Mary began working at Northern Colorado talking about applying for U.S. Medical Center and continues citizenship, Gertrude, a trained working with the Right to Read volunteer, willingly offered to help. Program. Her next goal is to obtain The pair studied U.S. history, her G.E.D. For a learner with a government, reading, writing, and sixth-grade education in another math. As Mary studied, her language, this may seem a lofty 65 Colorado literacy and adult goal, but when that learner is Mary basic education students Stoner, it seems very possible. became citizens and 118 registered to vote for the first time in 1995. 4 ; "After being a legal alien for 20 years, on July 29, I became a naturalized U.S. citizen. A week later I exercised my privilege as jetliPt . w: will and a citizen, registered to vote. 9 1 ORQ B S C S DUCATION IN THE WORKPLACE LITERA DU LL CO Rosie Cloucrworked for Coors Ceramics in Grand Junction when to allow her to pass the G.E.D., she began her studies with the Mesa with reading sections ranging in County Public Library District level from ninth- to twelfth-grade. Adult Reading Program (A.R.P.). Dennis Wooters, Rosie's She needed to get her General COMMUNITY PARTNER JOHN TROTTER supervisor (pictured with her, Equivilency Diploma (G.E.D.) in DIRECTOR OPERATIONS COORS CERAMICS opposite) says, "To compete in the order to stay with Coors, and she GRAND JUNCTION, COLORADO workplace takes knowledge and the also wanted to learn more about "Businesses are continually trying ability to communicate. Through to improve processes to make a American culture. Seven years later, better product_ These new hard work, dedication and the help Rosie has her G.E.D. and is one of procedures are in written form, of A.R.P., Rosie was able to identify Coors' most valuable employees. so employees' literacy becomes even more essential to a and obtain the skills that she needed Shipping highly technical products business's success." to reach her goals. Rosie has become to thousands of customers all over a major contributor to the success of the world, she is responsible for Coors Ceramics Company." millions of dollars' worth of goods. Rosie, in turn, greatly appreci- Rosie was born in Vietnam, ates Coors' role in her learning then moved to the United States in process: "I work for a very good 1975. She dropped out of high COMMUNITY PARTNER company. They didn't look down school because she was reading at JANET COMERFORD MANAGER ADMINISTRATION on me when I started the program. less than a fifth-grade level. Lack of COORS CERAMICS GRAND JUNCTION, COLORADO They encouraged me to learn and cultural knowledge played a large "As an employer, it is in our best gave me great support." part in her language difficulties. interest to invest in and support When asked what she values Rosie later worked with an A.R.P. programs that promote literacy and basic skills training. most about having worked with an volunteer tutor almost nonstop-for Literacy is good business and A.R.P. tutor, Rosie says, "I have a two years. In that time, her reading the foundation for personal and professional success." lot of confidence in dealing with level improved dramatically, enough people. If you have confidence, you 0111liiiiMENII can do so much more." 7,354 Coloradans earned 1 0 their G.ED.s in 1995. ST COPY MIAMI