SAVE ADULT LITERACY RALLY!

June 2, 2011

For more photos see our Facebook Page

Funding for Literacy, GED, and English classes

is threatened on every level!

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Petition urging Mayor Bloomberg to fund Adult Literacy

NYCAL Steering Committee members Alyson Grant, Anthony Ng, and Bruce Carmel went to City Hall last Friday February 4, 2011 to present petitions signed by over 4,000 people requesting $8.15 million a year to fund literacy programs in community-based organizations. The petitions were presented to Deputy Mayor Dennis Walcott’s staff and staff from from City Council Speaker Christine Quinn.

Alyson Grant, Anthony Ng, and Bruce Carmel at City Hall

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NYCAL Mission Statement

The New York Coalition for Adult Literacy (NYCAL) is comprised of adult literacy teachers, managers, students, and allies from community -based organizations, CUNY campuses, libraries and Dept. of Ed programs across NYC.  NYCAL advocates for an adult literacy system that provides quality, comprehensive and accessible educational services to the over 3.9 million adults in NYC who need them. NYCAL believes that being able to read and write, learn English, obtain a GED, and enter training and post secondary education are the rights of every New Yorker, and the cornerstone to an equitable and just society.

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Stay Connected to NYCAL

NYCAL Discussion List

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Next General NYCAL Meeting:

Mark your calendars for the next General Meeting

Friday, Jan 6th, 9:30am-11:30am, International Center, 50 W. 23rd, 7th floor, Manhattan

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Press Conference on Steps of City Hall, April 6, 2010

The New York Coalition for Adult Literacy (NYCAL) and Literacy New York organized a successful press conference on April 6th to urge state leaders to restore funding for GED testing sites and Adult Literacy Education (ALE) in the state budget. Adult education students, service providers and advocates, joined by City Council member Sara Gonzalez, spoke about the importance of these programs and the state funding to support them.

City Council Speaker Christine Quinn has become a leading spokesperson for GED access and improvement, and she has publicly expressed her concerns about the state cuts.

The issue has received significant media attention, including articles in The Daily News, The NY Post, coverage on NY1, and other local papers (links below).

As most of you know, the State has not yet passed a new budget for FY 2010-11, which began April 1st. The State Legislature and Governor are resuming budget negotiations today. None of the budget proposals released by the Governor, Senate, or Assembly include restored funding for GED testing. So, it is critical that we continue to press the Governor and State Legislators to include the $1.15 million for GED testing sites in the final state budget. The Governor and your State Legislators need to hear from you!

Media Links:
State cuts threaten GED test funding
GED cuts earning a bad grade
State seeks to cut $$ for GED testing
GED Program Threatened By Possible State Budget Cuts