Funding for a new National Adult Literacy Survey is also included. For GPRA, we are embarking on a series of regional meetings providing technical assistance to States administrators in developing and using performance measures. The Institute is doing important work in improving services for adults with learning disabilities, and they are developing a framework for identifying what adults should know and be able to do in their roles as workers, citizens, and community members. It is also engaged in activities to identify, promote, and disseminate effective adult education practices, build the capacity in the field to offer high quality education tied to rigorous content standards, and promote public support for literacy programs. If we are to prepare our youth and adults adequately for our changing economy, we need a major transformation in our schools and adult education programs.
More education needs to take place outside the formal classroom.
We must make much better use of technology. We must be innovative about the contexts in which learning occurs and in developing partnerships between education and business, community, and family. The Federal Government has long been a catalyst in providing resources to spur such reforms. My colleagues and I will be happy to respond to any questions you may have.