e-Literacy News

A Publication of Florida's Adult and
 Family Literacy Resource Center

 

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FLC Releases Study Examining Attributes of Successful Adult Learners

Guided by research in adult learner persistence, the Florida Literacy Coalition (FLC) conducted case studies of eight former adult education and literacy students who have successfully obtained their GEDs and went on to distinguish themselves in admirable ways. Using a qualitative research approach, this study used one-to-one interviews, on-line surveys and personality tests to explore the life influences and personality characteristics that contributed to the educational experiences of these individuals.

The findings do provide some interesting information to consider. The high correlation in a number of areas pertaining to adult learner experiences, perceptions and personality characteristics provides insight into subject matter that may be worthy of further study.

These included:

1)  Participants overwhelmingly conveyed the importance of having teachers who were encouraging, supportive and willing to put in the extra effort to help them succeed.

2)  A majority of participants were (A) first born children, (B) grew up in poor or low income families, and (C) moved frequently when they were children.

3)  The majority had negative school experiences and left school before completing the 9th grade.

4)  All attended classes or tutoring sessions with a relatively high level of intensity. The average attendance was 16.6 hours per week.

5)  All participated in small classes or one-to-one tutoring.

6)  Goal setting was an important factor for most of the participants.

7)  There were strong correlations in several personality characteristics, including conscientiousness.

8)  All are involved in their communities, and 7 out of 8 support adult education and literacy as staff or volunteers.

9)  All clearly articulated that adult education changed their lives.

Stories of exceptional individuals can serve to both inform and inspire. It is our hope that the experiences and advice shared by these outstanding individuals will be a resource for adult learners and educators alike.

Thanks to the Dollar General Literacy Foundation for making this study possible.

Read the full study: Success Factors in High Achieving Adult Learners

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October is Health Literacy Month

The National Center for Education Statistics sponsored the 2003 National Assessment of Adult Literacy, which for the first time had a health literacy component.

The study’s findings concluded:

  • 53 percent of adults have intermediate health literacy. 12 percent of adults have proficient health literacy. 22 percent have basic health literacy and 14 percent have below basic health literacy.

  • Women have higher average health literacy then men.

  • Hispanics adults have the lowest average health literacy of any racial/ethnic population.

  • Adults living in poverty have a lower average of health literacy than adults living above the poverty level.

To read the full report go to:

http://nces.ed.gov/pubsearch/pubsinfo.asp?pubid=2006483            

Below you will find examples of state wide events being held during Health Literacy Month.

The Florida Department of Health 's Read for Health Initiative will host "Health Literacy in the Classroom" introducing "The Bernstain Bears Visit the Doctors" during the month of October.

The Florida Area Health Education Centers are offering programs through out the month. One example is the Gulfcoast South is offering "The ABC's of Breast Health" October 19, 2008 from 9 am to 11 am at the Country Inn and Suites, 5730 Gantt Road, Sarasota, FL. The program fee is $20.  To locate events in your region visit http://flahec.org/events.html  

There are many organizations committed to educating individuals, but there is still so much to be done. What are you doing? Share your stories with us at LiteracyNews@floridaliteracy.org  

On-Line Health Literacy Resources 

Health and Literacy Special Collection, World Education

Quick Information for Your Health, U.S. FDA Easy-to-Read Publications

Health Literacy Resource Center, CA. Health Literacy Initiative

Health Literacy Resource Collection, Florida Literacy Coalition

Teaching Health Literacy to Adult English Learners, FL. Technet

The Center for Health Care Strategies

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State Parks Join in Celebrating

Literacy in September

 

Florida State Parks partnered with the Department of Education’s (DOE) Just Read, Florida! Program, Florida Literacy Coalition, the Florida Lottery and Volunteer USA Foundation to host literacy-centered events at state parks throughout Florida. All state parks also offered free admission to anyone with a library card for the month of September.  For more information about events at your Florida State Parks, visit http://www.floridastateparks.org/

 

 

 

The audience at Bill Baggs Cape Florida Park enjoys pirate fun after reading a book about how to be a pirate.

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FLC Welcomes New Staff

Welcome:

                                 

Yari Payne                                 Alexza "Lexxie" Pantoja              Courtney Landl

Education and Training                Resource Specialist &                 Intern

Coordinator                                 Administrative Assistant

Yari's background includes educational meeting and conference planning from her time as the Education Program Manager for the Association of Clinical Research Professionals in Washinton DC. Recently she worked in Orlando at Dynetech within the event planning department, and at MyMediaWorks, as a Seminar Coordinator negotiating meeting space. When she’s not at work, you can find her spending time with her family and dogs.

Lexxie has worked in the public health sector for over 10 years with responsibilities ranging from nutrition/welfare to work programs in Massachusetts to family support worker/vaccine accountability for the Orange County Health Department.  She enjoys new challenges and looks forward to continuing her career with the Florida Literacy Coalition.

Courtney is a senior at the University of Central Florida majoring in Event Management within the Rosen College of Hospitality Management. She is currently interning with the Florida Literacy Coalition as an Event Coordinator Intern. Courtney enjoys traveling, meeting new people, and many outdoor activities. She looks forward to graduating in Spring 2008.
 

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Points of Light

The Points of Light also recognizes businesses that dedicate their time to participate in community service projects. The award for Excellence in Workplace Volunteer Programs honors businesses for their volunteer efforts. Many businesses partake in volunteering to boost employee morale, improve community life, and develop future workers. Please take the time to nominate a person or business you know who has committed time to helping build a stronger community. To place your nomination, visit the foundation’s website at The Points of Light Foundation and Volunteer Center National Network http://www.pointsoflight.org/awards/nominate.cfm

In Florida, the Governor’s Points of Light Award was established seven years ago as our state’s highest volunteer recognition. This awards program honors Florida residents and organizations that have demonstrated exemplary volunteer service to their community. Each week the program honors a new individual or organization. To make a nomination, go to http://www.volunteerfloridafoundation.org/pol_nominate.php

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National Study Assesses U.S. Adults' Financial Literacy

Eight in 10 U.S. adults think it is important that financial literacy be taught.  These individuals expressed a desire to enhance their own personal financial knowledge to assist them with saving and preparing for the future. 

“Like literacy, financial literacy needs to be viewed as a lifelong endeavor" stated David Godsted of  Networks Financial Institute. he went on to say, “It stands to reason that basic literacy and ESL students are probably in great need of financial literacy instruction.  Providing this information for students is a wonderful way to make math and numeracy lessons relevant.”

A copy of the Adult Financial Literacy Study is available online at: www.isunetworks.org

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Report Offers First-Time English Instructional Estimates 

The report sites that to get to a level of proficiency necessary for civic integration or to begin post-secondary education, approximately 5.8 million adult lawful permanent residents (LPRs) currently in the United States will need about 277 million hours of English language instruction a year for six years.   If only half of adult LPRs were to participate in classroom English instruction, the additional cost of meeting their English instruction needs would be about $200 million a year over and above current expenditures.  In the event of a broad legalization program for today’s unauthorized population, total projected English instruction costs would increase $2.9 billion a year for six years.

In Florida alone, the Institute said there are about 317,000 adult lawful permanent residents and another 327,000 unautherized immigrants ages 17 and older who have yet to achieve a level of English proficiency necessary for integrating into American civic society.

The report includes a series of funding recommendations for meeting existing English instruction needs. The authors note that investing in immigrant education leads to increased tax revenues, lower social welfare payments, and improved educational and workforce outcomes. The authors offer recommendations for maximizing this investment by setting benchmarks for success and deepening accountability.

Read the full report:  Adult English Language Instruction in the United States: Determining Need and Investing Wisely

This publication is made possible through the support of the Florida Department of Education, Office of Workforce and Economic Development AmeriCorps*VISTA.