[act-ma] 3/12 Calling all current and former GED, ESOL, etc students MassAAL Adult Literacy Awareness Day

[Sue Dorfman]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                  

 CONTACT:
Ernest Best, Director
MassAAL
office: 617-482-9485
cell:  857-492-5803
ebest at worlded.org

Adult Literacy Crucial For Massachusetts' Economic Growth
Hundreds To Rally At State House To Preserve Funding

(Boston, MA) Nearly one of every six adults in Massachusetts has less 
than a high school diploma, limited English skills or both, hindering 
their ability to compete in our state's rapidly changing economy or 
support their own child's educational advancement.

On Thursday, March 12 at 11 AM hundreds of current and former adult 
learners and adult literacy practitioners from across the state will 
rally in the Gardner Auditorium in the State House for Adult Literacy 
Awareness Day.

This annual event, organized by the Massachusetts Alliance for Adult 
Literacy (MassAAL), draws participants in GED, Adult Basic Education 
(ABE), and English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) classes to 
tell their stories and urge their local representatives to continue 
bugetary support for these programs. In 2008, more than 1000 attended.

Adult education creates a pathway to success leading people to better 
jobs, higher education and civic participation. Currently there is a far 
greater demand for programs than slots available.

"In this economic climate, when basic math and literacy skills are 
critical, we need at least level funding for adult education," notes 
MassAAL director Ernest Best. A former adult learner himself, Best chose 
a GED over life on the streets and went on to attend UMass-Boston and MIT.

"Change in the economy will depend on an educated work force, " adds 
State Representative Jeffery Sánchez. ""It is therefore important for us 
to recognize the key role adult education plays in our economy, and for 
individuals in providing true economic independence."

The Adult Literacy Awareness Day is sponsored by the Boston Foundation 
and the Hyams Foundation and endorsed by Massachusetts Coalition for 
Adult Education (MCAE); English for New Bostonians (ENB); First 
Literacy, Inc. (formerly the Boston Adult Literacy Fund); Massachusetts 
Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition (MIRA); and Massachusetts 
Workforce Alliance (MWA).

About MassAAL
The Massachusetts Alliance for Adult Literacy (MassAAL) is the voice for 
the adult learner in Adult Basic Education (ABE), English for Speakers 
of Other Languages (ESOL), and GED programs in Massachusetts. MassAAL 
assists the adult learner in developing lifelong leadership skills, 
creates public awareness about the need for adult literacy, and 
strengthens the adult learner's voice in shaping public policy for adult 
literacy services in Massachusetts. For more information on MassAAL, 
visit http://www.sabes.org/student/massaal.htm

FOR more information
Ernest Best, Director
MassAAL
office: 617-482-9485
cell:  857-492-5803
ebest at worlded.org

###

-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://act-ma.org/pipermail/act-ma_act-ma.org/attachments/20090306/cd8b7289/attachment.html>