SPRING HAS SPRUNG!
A4CAS Weekly Update
3/24/13
Today is the birthday of OK! This is timely considering the great news from Sacramento that we received on Tuesday. Yes, we are okay -- for now. The next hurdle to leap over will be on April 11th, when the Senate Subcommittee convenes to vote on the proposal.
A4CAS was created in response to Governor Brown’s budget proposal, but from the beginning the hope has been that it becomes a virtual meeting place for adult school communities. Historically, many great alliances were born out of a crisis situation, the resulting camaraderie is the silver lining. As was eloquently stated in a comment on the “Rebuild K-12” petition, “Adult education is vital to a free and prosperous society.” In the age of technology, it makes sense to have a place to gather and work together, in good times and bad.
The California taxpayers cared deeply enough to pass the propositions supporting public education in the midst of extreme economic hardship. These are the same citizens who understand the importance of adult schools and want to keep them in their communities with the new funds they have created. If in doubt, peruse the heartfelt comments on the petitions. With every petition signature and comment, our elected officials are immediately gaining the opinion of a constituent. What great use of technology! If you do one thing to support our mission, please sign and promote the petitions any way that you can!
The California taxpayers cared deeply enough to pass the propositions supporting public education in the midst of extreme economic hardship. These are the same citizens who understand the importance of adult schools and want to keep them in their communities with the new funds they have created. If in doubt, peruse the heartfelt comments on the petitions. With every petition signature and comment, our elected officials are immediately gaining the opinion of a constituent. What great use of technology! If you do one thing to support our mission, please sign and promote the petitions any way that you can!
As adult school teachers, we know that if we can provide a glimpse of the transformative power of the adult school experience, those who have the power to decide our fate will make the right decision. We have invited Governor Brown and our legislators to visit our classrooms and see what takes place. We have contacted the press and extended the same invitation. During Adult Education Week, we saw the success stories of students illustrated in essay contests and special activities across the state. In the case of Univision14’s visit to San Mateo Adult School, it was a student who prompted it with a telephone call.
Adult schools have never been known for tooting their own horns, but now we are getting the word out that Adult Education Matters! The Waverly Wellness Center at Conejo Valley Adult School illustrates that we are always thinking of ways to contribute to our local communities. Kristin Pursley recently posted on her blog a letter to ESL colleagues from Leigh Anne Shaw of Skyline College. The post is titled Coordination between Adult Schools and Community Colleges: The Legislative Analysts Office Report and the Governor’s Budget Plan. It is worth reading, as is Keeping Adult Education with K-12 Districts: Better Access to Education for All Californians.
Thank you for all that you’re doing every day to ensure that adult education survives intact and ready to rebuild when this budget cycle ends.
Karen
"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world." - Margaret Mead
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