Channel 13 Hosts 15th Annual Literacy Conference
By Gillian Granoff
Channel Thirteen recently
hosted the fifteenth Annual Literacy Day Conference. The
conference, with 148 participants, brought together adult
literacy educators, computer and technology and community
outreach professionals, and representatives from New York’s
Department of Education. The emphasis was on finding ways
to improve curriculum and resources to combat Adult Illiteracy.
The Conference featured
a series of engaging speakers on topics ranging from advocacy
in adult literacy to presentations featuring the latest innovations
in technologies to help facilitate curriculum planning. The
day opened with opening remarks from Ronald Thorpe, The Vice
President and Director of Education Channel Thirteen/WNET
New York. “Since 1990, Adult Literacy Day has been our
opportunity to bring together adult literacy educators and
leaders to share these resources and many others with the network
of institutions in the adult basic education community and
ultimately the students who are empowered through our efforts.”
Participants had the
opportunity to attend workshops on a range of issues from
advocacy to action. Speakers spoke of the challenges faced
by Adult ESL students, the challenge of sustaining adult
literacy programs in a climate of government cutbacks. Channel
Thirteen executives presented a sample screening of Channel
Thirteen’s four major adult literacy programs:
TV411, GED Connection (a biweekly program which includes lessons
on reading, writing, mathematics, social studies and science
to help prepare students to pass the new GED), GED en Espanol,
and Learn to Read (which airs Monday through Friday 5:30 to
6 p.m.). Anthony Tassi, Special Assistant to Mayor Bloomberg,
spoke on the Mayor’s behalf to express appreciation and
support to the adult educators for the important work they
do and affirmed the Mayor’s commitment to support their
effort. Jeanne B. Mullgrave, the Commissioner of the New York
City Department of Youth spoke passionately about the critical
role of parent involvement in fostering adolescent literacy.
She encouraged parents to be involved and support their children
in their homework and schools even if they do not understand
the material. Afternoon breakout sessions presented workshops
on a range of topics from community outreach, activism and
advocacy, curriculum development, and strategies to expand
literacy services. The sessions featured hands-on workshops
for adult educators on how to utilize the latest visual and
computer technologies to enhance their curriculums. Keith Eisenberger,
a representative from Channel Thirteen’s KET affiliate
station in Kentucky presented a workshop on how teachers can
use the stations on air broadcasts as an adjunct to classroom
instruction.
Toni Schefflin, Manager
of Instructional Television, introduced educators to Channel
Thirteen’s latest innovation. The
Video On Demand Programs, a project still in development, that
integrates video from a local website to help instruct students
on a variety of topics using downloading video clips. A Workshop
Encouraging Independent Writers, emphasized instruction methods
that encourage ESOL students to correct their own writing.
Sessions also included basic information on the GED, and Post-GED
Academy, the collaborative effort of four alternative high
schools that help prospective graduates to interview, resume
write and filling out applications.
Elyse Barbell Rudolph, the Executive Director of the Literacy
Assistance Center, also spoke passionately about the importance
of advocacy and perseverance for adult literacy in a challenging
political era of government cutback.
The conference came
on the heels of a rally challenging the proposed 64 percent
budget cuts to adult education. The proposal, called “The Workforce Investment Title II,” proposed
a decrease in spending in adult literacy programs from $569
million in 2005 to $207 million in 2007. A workshop gives educators
skills to increase lobbying and to increase government spending,
while using local resources to enhance community awareness.
The air of enthusiasm
and camaraderie reflected the deep-rooted commitment and
devotion of these educators to their cause. President and
CEO of Channel Thirteen Bill Baker echoed Thirteen’s
commitment. “Thirteen Literacy Services are a major part
of what we do in this community. And they are at the heart
of what sets this television station apart from others. Broadcasts
of GED Connection and GED en Espanol, TV 411, and, of course,
Learn to Read are among the most important programs we put
on the air. Through online resources, educational newsletters
and resources guides, tutorials and help lines, and professional
development activities, Thirteen provides invaluable resources
to the institutions that serve adult learners.”
The conference helped
to empower educators and inspired them to continue to improve
adult literacy, empowered with practical tools to families
to become more effective communicators become productive
and successful and functional member of the community (I’m having trouble getting at what this sentence is
trying to say—I don’t know if I can correct it!).
Yvonne Neil, a computer teacher and adult educator was inspired
to bring to the variety of resources and thing she learned
to back her work as a caseworker in the classroom. “In
my room, students come down and talk about problems such as
housing issues and how to fight on their own behalf without
physical violence. I learned that I can be my own best advocate.” Indeed,
this valuable lesson is one she hopes to impart to her own
students by applying the skills she acquired in the conference
to her work as a computer teacher and caseworker. #
