Many powerful statements have been made today. I appreciate the opportunity to add to the dialogue. Adult Education Programs and Community Colleges both provide vital services to their communities. There are more adults needing services than all of us can serve. It is important to recognize that we have different service delivery systems, which offers more choices to adult students. Due to their size, adult schools have flexibility that allows them to meet changing community needs in the neighborhoods where students live. A large institution does not always have that flexibility. Thank you Joanne Durkee for pointing out how adult education fits in to the continuum of services. In Santa Clara, we have a good working relationship with our community college, and try to compliment each others services.
In addition, I agree that the effectiveness of services merits evaluation. There is currently a tremendous amount of data being collected statewide regarding adult education effectiveness. In addition, model program standards exist for most of the mandated program areas. These existing tools should be the guides for evaluating the effectiveness of adult education.
Third, while I agree that basic education, ESL and vocational education are important, we should not forget the needs of the adults in our communities who are disabled, elderly or new or struggling parents. Adult education does an excellent job of serving the critical needs of these important populations. Our adults with disabilities are able to increase their independence and become more productive, older adults continue as independent and contributing citizens and are less likely to become institutionalized, and parents are better able to support the health, education and well-being of their children as a result of participating in our classes.
Posted as a reply to:
SB 823 - Adult Education by Charles Ratliff 
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