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Adult Ed Programs Could Face Massive Cuts

By HEATHER HADDON

Teacher Karen Griswold switched a recent session of her adult literacy class from the usual focus on reading and writing to a lesson in mathematics. Sitting in a circle, students took turns listing the proposed federal cuts that could decimate their education program.

“We’re in trouble,” said Paulette Williams, in her third year at Lehman College’s Adult Learning Center. “There’s not going to be enough money to teach us.”

Adult education programs nationwide could face that fate if the Bush administration’s proposed budget for this fall comes to pass. The spending plan would slash adult education funds by 64 percent and cut services for approximately 55,000 New York State students, according to an analysis by the Literacy Assistance Center, one of the many advocacy groups mobilizing against the cuts. Classes would be scrapped for more than a third of those participating in CUNY’s adult programming, which includes literacy skills, GED prep and ESL (English as a Second Language).

The extensive federal cuts come on top of state reductions a year ago. “Last year we had to shorten some classes, and drop one,” said Griswold, a Center teacher for almost two decades. “If this goes through, we will have to move to an extremely small program or eliminate all of it.”

While cuts to vital programs are part of the annual budget dance, this year’s federal proposal especially targets vocational programs. In addition to the cuts, the administration seeks to merge adult education with job training initiatives, potentially eliminating a guaranteed funding stream and forcing programs to compete against each other.

The revamp would prioritize job training over adult education programs. As the budget states, adult education provides “little or no evidence of improved outcomes for students despite decades of federal investment.”

Noemi Matos-Matin, who started in Lehman’s program 18 years ago and worked her way up to a GED, begs to differ. After taking college courses, she wound up interning at the Center, and now manages the entire office.

“So many people come here for different reasons,” said Matos-Matin, an Amalgamated Houses resident who chokes up thinking about some of her students.

Annually, about 800 people choose from almost 20 free classes at the Literacy Assistance Center. Advocates say the offerings are essential to help the city’s growing numbers of recent immigrants, those who didn’t graduate high school, or low-income people who want to improve their skills. Participants come to the Center through word-of-mouth, or from referrals if they are too old for high school. Some are striving for a GED, but many seek basic skills that they never learned in primary school.

“My reading level was low and I was afraid to show that weakness,” said Michael, 57, a Bronx resident in his third year of basic education who did not want to give his last name.

A construction foreman for many years, Michael dreamed of opening his own business but was hampered by his reading deficiencies. “Deep down inside I knew I had the knowledge, but I was scared to use it,” he said.

Reanita Sauvagere, 51, was also plagued by fears of reading and speaking. Since coming to the pre-GED program, Sauvagere became a deacon at her Boston Road church.

“I would never have been able to do that before,” she said.” I couldn’t help my children, but I can help my grandchildren now.”

Margarita Rivera, 34, was driven to take ESL classes to help her kids, but now hopes to become a teacher herself. Many, like Pedro Fulgencio, 36, see a GED and college in their future.

“I hope to attend Fordham University to become a priest,” said Fulgencio, a University Avenue resident who came from the Dominican Republic last year.

The waiting list for most Center classes is six months to a year, and even longer for ESL courses. If the federal cuts are approved, things could get a lot worse.

“The number of students who would be turned away from services would only grow by the thousands,” said Ira Yankwitt of the Literacy Assistance Center, which works with adult education centers citywide.

Adult education programs across the country have begun letter-writing campaigns and a New York rally is scheduled for this Friday. There may already be progress as Congress is moving away from consolidating education and jobs programs, according to Yankwitt. Advocates are now focusing on preventing the cuts.

Michael was motivated to advocate against the cuts when he thought of future program students. “I’m thinking about all the people who are coming behind me with a high school diploma but can’t spell,” he said. “This has given me so many of the fundamentals in life.”

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