ACTIVITIES OF THE ADULT LITERACY INITIATIVE

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP88G00186R000400390056-9
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 6
• Document Creation Date: December 22, 2016
• Document Release Date: March 25, 2011
• Sequence Number: 56
• Content Type: REPORT

STAT
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/03/25: CIA-RDP88GO0186R000400390056-9
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/03/25: CIA-RDP88GO0186R000400390056-9
 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/03/25: CIA-RDP88GO0186R000400390056-9
PURPOSE:
To work with literacy efforts in all offices within the Department, other
Departments and agencies, and national groups from the private sector, service,
church and volunteer organizations. To promote public/private sector
partnerships in literacy. To promote awareness and advocacy with the
general public. To advise the Secretary. To represent the Secretary at
national meetings and conferences. To plan and conduct national meetings
to encourage networking, coordination and new interest in literacy.
TO GET PEOPLE AT ALL LEVELS AND IN ALL SECTORS WORKING TOGETHER ON A VARIETY
OF SOLUTIONS TO THE PROBLEM AND TO STIMULATE NEW INTEREST AND RESOURCES.
In conjunction with the Division of Adult Education Services, work clust1v
with the Adult Education community and leadership.
In cooperation with the Coalition for Literacy, promote national public
awareness.
Conduct, through NIE contract, the National Adult Literacy Project to
study and disseminate information about successful programs and practices.
Conduct, with Adult Education and the National Diffusion Network, a satellite
teleconference on literacy (to about 10,000 viewers in 38 states).
Promote the utilization of work-study students in literacy programs. Through
the Office of Post-Secondary Education, fund pilot projects. Through the
National Association of Student Employment Officers and a literacy expert,
develop a manual of successful strategies for the use of work-study students.
Recruit other colleges and universities to use existing work-study funds
for literacy.
Once regional planning is complete, begin the active recruitment of Federal
employee volunteers (to perform widely varying roles) and Federal office
space for local literacy programs. Work with the Federal Interagency Committee
on Education and its literacy sub-committee to recruit volunteers and to
recognize exemplary volunteer efforts.
To encourage the development of new literacy technology which is adaptable
and technically sound.
To conduct, through the National Assessment of Educational Progress, a Young
Adult Literacy Assessment in the Spring of 1985.
In cooperation with the Business Council for Effective Literacy, promote
public/private sector partnerships for literacy.
Institute an electronic mail/telecommunications system called LitNet for the
purpose of sharing information about such things as funding sources,
program models, advocacy strategies, and technical information and to provide
a vehicle for on-line communications between literacy groups.
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/03/25: CIA-RDP88GO0186R000400390056-9
 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/03/25: CIA-RDP88GO0186R000400390056-9
In cooperation with the National Institute for Handicapped Research and in
consultation with 22 national associations and organizations, conduct a
conference on networking for the improvement of literacy services for
disabled populations. The purposes are: (1) to create a national network
concerning literacy among the various special population groups; (2) to
display examples of on-going successes in the area of literacy training for
special populations; and (3) to discuss' networking at the local level.
To convene an interagency team to focus on the unique problems and programs
for Native Americans, Hispanic, Asian-American and other minority language
groups.
To work cooperatively with the National Assault on Illiteracy Program as they
organize State and local groups to address the promotion of literacy for
Black Americans.
To work with Governors as they personally join in the promotion of literacy
activities in their States.
To encourage media attention to the problem of adult functional illiteracy
and publicize information on behalf of the Secretary. Attention has been
devoted to literacy in Nation's Business, the New York Times, Business
Week, Work America, Westing ouse Broadcasting, (oo Morning America, ABC
News, CBS Newt, All ings Considered, Voice of America, CBS Radio, the
Black news networks, the Black Monitor, American Education, the Wall Street
Journal, among others.
To focus the attention and resources of the Department and other Departments
on literacy as an integral part of their legislatively-mandated education
and training activities.
To meet with service groups, volunteer organizations, business and industry
to encourage direct involvement with literacy activities. For example,
the American Legion will encourage such involvement by the 16,000 local
posts and 12,000 local Auxilliary Units. The Appalachian Regional Commission
is planning a major focus on literacy. The Volunteers of America are
developing literacy programs in several cities.
To work with National groups to promote literacy services for aging
citizens and the involvement of older persons as resources.
To work with Head Start to assess the need and resources available to
Head Start parents.
To explore the application of technology for disabilities to the promotion
of literacy.
To encourage involvement by the private school and college students, parents
and faculties in literacy activities.
''I Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/03/25: CIA-RDP88GO0186R000400390056-9
 T Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/03/25: CIA-RDP88GO0186R000400390056-9
~~~ ~ rein ~,Va^ ~~
5NE
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/03/25: CIA-RDP88GO0186R000400390056-9
 THE NEED
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/03/25: CIA-RDP88GO0186R000400390056-9
INITIATIVE ACTIVITIES
At least 23-27 million Americans - or one in Cooperation with
five - are functionally iUiterate...unable to fill ? Federally-funded State Adult Education
out a job application, understand instructions Programs
on a medicine bottle, pass awritten driver's test. ? Volunteer Literacy. Programs
THE IMPACT
Literacy is a right and an obligation of every
citizen. It impacts on our national security, our
international competitiveness, our productivity,
our democratic freedoms and our commitment
to the right of all citizens to achieve their full
potential. In other words, we pay a high indi-
vidual and societal cost. Literacy skills in read-
ing, writing and computation are critical, both
now and in the future.
THE RESPONSE
The Adult Literacy Initiative
Coordinates Federal literacy activities
Promotes awareness, voluntarism, and the
recruitment of new service groups
Collaborates with and builds on all existing
efforts
? Business/Industry/Unions
? Service Organizations
? Religious Groups
Cooperation with the Coalition for Literacy in a
NATIONAL AWARENESS Campaign calling for
volunteers and funds (with an 800 number and
computer database of Local Programs)
Participation in the NATIONAL ADULT LITER-
ACY PROJECT funded through contract by the
National Institute of Education to the Far West
Lab.
Involvement of COLLEGE AND HIGH SCHOOL
STUDENTS through
? The College Work-Study Program
? For-credit Courses
? Voluntarism
NETWORKING ACTIVITIES
? LitNet Electronic Mail and Tele-
conferencing System
? National Meetings and Conferences
? For Disabled Out-of-school Youth
and Adults
? For Minority Populations
Active recruitment of Federal Employee volun-
teers and office space through the FEDERAL
EMPLOYEE LITERACY TRAINING PROGRAM
(F.E.L.T.)
Encouragement of PUBLIC/PRIVATE SECTOR
PARTNERSHIPS AND STATE LITERACY IN-
ITIATIVES
Stimulation of increased VOLUNTARISM and
the involvement of groups new to the literacy
effort
Promotion of young adult literacy assessments
and Multi-Technology Capacity for Literacy
"It will take a united effort by all our people to
achieve ourgoal: The elimination of adult func-
tional illiteracy in the United States.
In this decade, America faces serious chal-
lenges on many fronts: to our national security,
our economic prosperity, and our ability to com-
pete in the international marketplace. If we're
to renew our economy, protect our freedom, we
must sharpen the skills of everyAmerican mind
and enlarge the potential of every individual
American life. Unfortunately, the hidden prob-
lem of adult illiteracy holds back too many of
our citizens, and as a nation, we, too, pay a
price.
Let us today resolve to roll up our sleeves and
get to work, because there's very much to be
done. Across this great land, let those of us who
can read teach those of us who cannot. Let the
lights burn late in our classrooms, our church
basements, our libraries and around our
kitchen tables, wherever we can gather to help
others help themselves to the American
dream. "
President Ronald Reagan
September 7, 1983
The White House
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/03/25: CIA-RDP88GO0186R000400390056-9
 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/03/25: CIA-RDP88G00186R000400390056-9
FEDERAL EMPLOYEE LITERACY TRAINING PROGRAM
LAUNCHING CEREMONY
DECEMBER 10, 1984
REGISTRATION FORM
Please complete this form and return to registration desk.
MR.
MRS.
MISS
MS.
DR..
MAILING
ADDRESS:
TELEPHONE
NUMBER:
Please check if you are your Agency's contact person Eor
FELT.
,11 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/03/25: CIA-RDP88G00186R000400390056-9