With the economy still a topic of concern for the American people and state legislatures, Women In Government (WIG) continues to focus on adult education as a driver for economic success. Women In Government is pleased to announce that three states – Maine, Michigan, and North Carolina – will be hosting a team comprised of WIG staff and a representative from the Council for Adult and Experiential Learning (CAEL) for state briefings on adult learning.
In October 2009, Women In Government held a National Adult Learning Summit, in Washington, DC, which presented specific information on the varying ways adult education can impact the economy. The two-day meeting included segments on workforce development, the federal government’s interaction with state initiatives, minorities and adult education, and how budget decisions affect policy.
As a follow-up to the successes of the Summit, Women In Government and CAEL will provide state legislative briefings in selected states and a forum through which policymakers can access up-to-date information and data, share best practices, and brainstorm effective policy solutions. The goal of the one-day briefings is to both inform – through use of specific state data – a wide group of state stakeholders about adult learning issues and opportunities in their states and to increase legislative or policy activity around the topic. Invited participants in the one-day briefings include key legislators and their staff, as well as other state government officials from education, workforce, or economic development agencies, depending on the state.
Following the 2009 Summit, Women in Government and CAEL identified 20 states in which the need for adult learning policy changes was matched by a promising political landscape and existing efforts to enhance adult learning opportunities. From the original field of twenty, three states – Maine, Michigan, and North Carolina – were selected based in criteria which included:
- A strong, bi-partisan record of participation at WIG events;
- A favorable political landscape in the legislature, such as both chambers being controlled by one party, a record of adult education legislation, or strong legislative connections with relevant stakeholders within the state;
- A Governor who has shown an interest in adult education, workforce development, or higher education as a whole; and
- A strong community of adult education stakeholders within the state.
For each of the three states, the Council for Adult and Experiential Learning (CAEL) has researched and updated the states’ data from its 2008 Adult Learning in Focus report. Karen Steinberg, a consultant with CAEL, will be on-hand at each of the three briefings to present their latest research findings, assist participants in identifying priority issues that emerge from the data in the states, and collaborate with participants in strategizing potential policy solutions for the issues identified.
Representative Kim Meltzer and Sen. Martha G. Scott will host the Michigan briefing on February 25. The briefing in Maine will be held in late March and hosted by Rep. Kimberley Rosen, while Sen. Katie Dorsett will host the North Carolina briefing on May 19. More information on WIG’s hosts for the briefings, as well as a profile on each state’s history and current status on adult education, follows below.
Thanks to our sponsor, the Lumina Foundation for Education, for their loyal support on this topic. WIG would also like to thank our partner, the Council for Adult and Experimental Learning (CAEL), for providing technical research and analysis, along with on-site assistance at the three briefings.
