Plans Advance for Eradicating Illiteracy in L.A.

Plans Advance for Eradicating Illiteracy in L.A.

Leaders Address How Problem of 3.8 Million Low-Literacy Adults in the County Is Being Tackled; Mayor to Assemble More Resources Toward Literacy

LOS ANGELES, Sept. 8 /PRNewswire/ -- Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, Actor Sean Astin, and LAUSD Board member Jose Huizar joined over 200 literacy providers at the Literacy Network of Greater Los Angeles' Literacy Summit to share their plans for eradicating illiteracy and learn about innovative methods to combat the problem in the region. According to a 2004 United Way report on the state of adult literacy in Los Angeles, 3.8 million adults (53% of L.A. County's working age population) have low literacy skills, posing a serious barrier to their employability. Literacy Network Chair Steven Koltai and Executive Director Jennifer Boxer also offered a progress report on the five-year Action Plan designed to address literacy and achieve a more qualified workforce for Los Angeles.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20050908/LATH147 )

"We raised awareness of the problem and began implementing a coordinated workforce literacy system that links providers with businesses to ultimately enable millions of adults in our region to get family-sustaining jobs," said Boxer. "This system works because our providers collaborate with us to design programs that meet the needs of their users, whether children, adults or employers."

Best practices shared at the Summit included the use of technology to teach basic literacy skills to non-English speakers, techniques for teaching adult learners, and methods for teaching literacy to formerly incarcerated youth. Mayor Villaraigosa and School Board Member Jose Huizar addressed the audience on school reform and fostering an educational environment that helps children complete high school.

"Literacy is crucial to creating job opportunities, supporting workers and their families and eradicating poverty in our region," said Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa. "Literacy must start in homes and classrooms by giving the children of Los Angeles the best education possible to enable them to pursue their goals and become engaged citizens. I am committed to assembling the resources needed to build the skills of our workers and our children."

Sean Astin, a board member for the National Center for Family Literacy encouraged others to follow his lead and volunteer to eradicate illiteracy. "By volunteering, you can help adults, children, and families learn to read and incorporate literacy into their everyday lives." The Literacy Network is currently recruiting 200 volunteers. To volunteer, or to learn to read, call 1-800-707-READ or visit www.literacynetwork.org.

Literacy@Work Action Plan Progress Highlights

* Until 2005, there was no system for implementing workforce literacy; only a variety of independent entities offering adult literacy classes. The new system is linking providers with businesses to meet their specific needs.

* A core group of 14 adult literacy providers was selected in spring 2005 to develop and pilot workforce literacy programming and create partnerships between providers and employers.

* Volunteer recruitment and tools are now in place. Training is slated to begin in 2006.

* Standardized workforce literacy tools are in development and will be completed in 2006.

* WorkSource Centers will now participate in Literacy@Work programming which will provide workforce literacy skills to job seekers in need.

About The Literacy Network

The Literacy Network of Greater Los Angeles is an 11-year old umbrella organization with over 200 members from the five-county greater Los Angeles area, Kern and Santa Barbara. Its goal is to increase the number and quality of literacy programs in the region. The Network supports and promotes individual, family, and workplace literacy efforts through networking, partnerships, resource-sharing and public awareness. For additional information, or to download a Workforce Literacy report please visit www.literacynetwork.org.

Photo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20050908/LATH147 AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org/ PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com Source: Literacy Network of Greater Los Angeles

CONTACT: Yanka Burgos of The Literacy Network of Greater Los Angeles, +1-310-869-4942, burgosy@earthlink.net

Web site: http://www.literacynetwork.org/

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