Adult Literacy's Impact on Public Schools

Krystal and I started this blog when we were both working for an organization focused on adult education and literacy. No surprises then, when that particular topic comes up frequently on the blog: it is our passion.

Last week we both attended an awesome panel discussion hosted by Academy of Hope and Defeat Poverty DC about the connection between adult literacy and K-12 education. Speakers from various organizations in the District were invited to speak about the connection between the two. Individuals from DCPS and local schools, a business professional, individuals from non-profit organizations and research institutes all came together to discuss this challenging topic and new approaches to the age-old problem with poor performance in K-12 schools.

Finally, a holistic approach on the larger problems we are seeing nation wide in our public schools. It's not solely a problem with teachers, it's not solely a problem with money, and it's not an issue of kids not caring anymore. The problem is largely about what happens at home. A school could have top-performing teachers, state-of-the-art facilities, and money pumped in to the system (as the District schools do-- many DC schools spend more dollars per child than anywhere else), but if education isn't continuing at home, it's not going to be a priority at school.
If parents can't read or weren't successful in school, they will not be able to help their children with homework. Similarly, if parents didn't have a good experience with school, they might not instill a value of learning and education in their kids. They might not join PTA organizations or attend parent/teacher conferences. There is no one at home to model behavior that lends itself to learning and growth at school.

Conversely, a huge reason, in fact,  that adults come back to school is because they realize they aren't able to help their kids with homework.

Schools are starting to look at this and are now providing more ways to implement family literacy and ways for parents to get involved. As a country, we must shift our perspective and take a look at the issue at it's root. We can strictly standardize and evaluate teachers and we can provide opportunities in schools for children to excel; children will not take advantage of these things if their parents are not supportive of their education.
Adult education and literacy impact our future generations. They are not a generation where it's "too late"--they are directly involved with the health of this nation and our next generation of thinkers, job-holders, and leaders.
Like all social problems in this country, this is deeply entwined with other roots of injustice such as poverty. It is hard to separate and define what came first and unravel the problem to it's end, and instead schools are now attempting to remedy the big picture at once.

In addition to schools and non-profit organizations, corporations are also seeing the value in getting involved with education. As a member of our community, corporations can also do their part to spur health and vitality in a community. Giving proceeds to community organizations, volunteering time, and using their influence, money, and position in society to advocate for those that need it (and thus to the overall health of the community) are some ways that businesses can get involved with social issues and affect change.

Consider the idea that everyone benefits from adults learning and children succeeding; the community would thrive. The nation would thrive. Putting time, money, and resources into education is an investment, and ultimately everyone will benefit from better communities. Adult education is a large piece of the puzzle to wholeness and improvement in our nation. It is important to consider this piece when attempting to remedy the issues at hand.

--Megan

Who is to blame?

It is becoming very obvious that bullying is one of the important societal issues that the media is using as their pet project. By pet project I mean it seems like every so often there is something that the media wants us to worry about and focus on and right now that issue is bullying. You have heard and seen several different instances of bullying and some ending fatally, but many covered by the local and national media. This past week the media's bullying focus shifted to a 68 year old bus monitor who was verbally attacked by students on the bus. Below is the harsh video of this incident.

Now since this video hit mainstream media money has been raised for the victimized and the children have apologized for their actions. The question I would like to pose is who all is to blame when incidents like this occur. Obviously the children are at fault,but what about their parents? Or what about the media itself and the society we live in? When asked about this incident one of the children involved said they didn't think it was a big deal because they had seen so many people post bullying videos before on you tube and get popular for doing so. It's sad when people truly don't see the harm in something because they only see the fame they can receive from the action.


Who all would you blame for this type of incident? What type of punishment should these children receive?


--Krystal

Being Successful Before Work

Not everyone enjoys getting up early, but studies show this might be the best time to do something meaningful and important.
In What the Most Successful People Do Before Breakfast, author Laura Vanderkam writes, "Seizing your mornings is the equivalent of that sound financial advice to pay yourself before you pay your bills. If you wait until the end of the month to save what you have left, there will be nothing left over. Likewise, if you wait until the end of the day to do meaningful but not urgent things like exercise, pray, read, ponder how to advance your career or grow your organization, or truly give your family your best, it probably won’t happen. If it has to happen, then it has to happen first."
It makes sense to me. In the morning I'm most clear headed and the day hasn't started to weigh on me. Things can also come up after work--maybe you end up needing to stay later, or friends want to meet for drinks so you forgo the gym. After work, people often just want to unwind and give their tired minds some peace. 
Make some time each morning for something that's important to you--whether that's exercising, meditating, reading, corresponding with friends, or working on a side project or hobby.  Summer, with the early sunrise, is a particularly good time of year to attempt this experiment. Your body will adjust, and soon you will be fine with waking up earlier in order to incorporate something important into your routine. Plus, when your work out-- or your reading or whatever project-- is out of the way, your day is less stressed and frazzled. You can "go with the flow" and see where work or the day takes you, as you've already checked the important things off your check list. You can say "yes" to fun or spontaneity after work without compromising the things that are important to you. It feels good to have taken time out for yourself and done something of value to you; you'll feel accomplished. 


Read some tips to enable you to incorporate this new routine in your life from the upcoming book here!


--Megan

Tour de Fat

The Tour de Fat from New Belgium Brewing Co. is rolling into town this Saturday. This event is all about demonstrating societal benefits of bikes over cars. The traveling bike festival will hit 15 cities this summer, bringing parades, circus acts, prizes, music, and beer.
D.C.'s Tour de Fat will kick off with a bike parade this Saturday, leaving from Yard's Park and touring the city. The rest of the festival, including music from the famous Mucca Pazza marching band, will be held at Yard's Park. There is also going to be a car trade-in, where someone who is willing to hand over the keys to their car will be given a new bicycle for commuting.
This is the 5th year of Tour de Fat, and they hope to drive their message even deeper this year. I am very interested to see what they say and if they can reach people who aren't already bicycle converts!
This event is put on by New Belgium Brewing Co, a company passionate about environmental stewardship and sustainable business practices. They believe that (from their website) in order to be good to the environment, the company ought to:

1. Lovingly care for the planet that sustains us.
2. Honor natural resources by closing the loops between waste and input.
3. Minimize the environmental impact of shipping our beer.
4. Reduce our dependence on coal-fired electricity.
5. Protect our precious Rocky Mountain water resources.
6. Focus our efforts on conservation and efficiency.
7. Support innovative technology.
8. Model joyful environmentalism through our commitment to relationships, continuous improvement, and the camaraderie and cheer of beer

Can't wait to check out the event this weekend! 

--Megan

Let the games begin...

Recently while visiting family in North Carolina I saw a new report on the upcoming Presidential election. This report discusses how this year the negative campaigns have begun earlier than ever in the key election states. With North Carolina being one of the swing states that Obama won in 2008 this territory is crucial for both parties. And in the most critical areas come the most negative ads as seen below.

Not only have these negative ads for both sides began running so early this year in the campaign, but both sides have already spent more that candidates spent in 2008 in these same states. Both parties have huge sources of financial resources and the overspending will only continue.

What I find the most interesting about the ads and the finances used to produce them is that when polled most voters have already decided who they are voting for. And I think this is something really interesting to consider. I am a strong believe that ads can make or break candidates in smaller elections or primaries, but don't most citizens voting in the Presidential election have their minds made up already?

 I think although many voters may know who they would like to vote for the importance of commercials and ads is to inspire those voters to actually go to the polls and vote. There are so many registered voters who for some reason or another don't show up to vote.

What do you think? How large of a role did ads play in the presidential election? Could a good ad potentially sway your vote?


--Krystal

River Run Ride and Picnic

Saturday night I went on a full moon bike ride hosted by BicycleSPACE with more than 100 people. We started the ride just as the sun started going down and enjoyed the full moon and quiet DC streets. It was such a cool experience to see all the flashing bike lights and hear the bells. We were instructed to wave and smile and greet people we saw with cheer. People loved it; they filmed us, asked us what we were doing, cheered us on. The ride was leisurely and about 10 miles in total. We met near the BicycleSpace shop in Mt. Vernon Square and meandered through downtown to Capitol Hill and eventually along the river path. I'm not sure that the ride had any intention other than to be enjoyable (what's not to love about a casual twilight bike ride through some historic parts of DC on a gorgeous summer night?), but I think 100+ bikes made an impact on the community. It could've brought awareness to the number of bikers in the city. It was a way of being a community with others, and it was a way of spreading kindness and good energy to others. We gave out a lot of high fives, "Happy Saturdays!" and waves, and were returned with cheers, whistles, smiles, and encouragement. It was awesome to see so many people out in the community enjoying the evening, and to be doing something to cause a scene and raise awareness without harming anyone or anything. It was certainly a spectacle, I'll never forget approaching the shop and seeing the vast expanse of bikers.

BicycleSPACE did an awesome job putting this on. The ride finished at Yards Park with an awesome musical surprise and a picnic. They plan to hold more rides like this during July and August and I would highly encourage anyone to go.

--Megan

It's Hard Being 25

Twenty-five can look a variety of different ways. Some people are married with children, others are living with their parents rent-free. Some people have started careers, others work odd jobs, and still others go to school. With 25 looking so different from person to person, it's hard to know what you're supposed to be doing.
I think that is what makes being a twentysomething particularly confusing; there is an abundance of options, all appealing. No matter what you are doing, someone else is doing something else--living in a new city, studying a new language, planning a wedding, or advancing in a career.

I am constantly feeling pulled in all directions at once--wanting to dabble in a little bit of it all. With no set rubric for these years, it is a challenge to measure what you should be striving for and what your life should consist of.

Compound all that with money and economy woes and the pressure to make your twenties the best time of your life, and it's no wonder the mid-twenties can be a stressful and confusing time. Of course you want to make the best choice for you and your life, but it doesn't all have to be done RIGHT NOW. There's this sense of urgency that goes along with it, that things need to be done, crossed off, accomplished, planned out, with  a new experience to follow.
 As I wrestle with my mid-twenties, trying to determine what I want and who I want to be, I also know I ought to be enjoying the ride and letting life work out. There might not be any "end goal" for this phase of my life (such as a degree, as in landmarks past), but there will be new opportunities and experiences leaping out at me, if I slow down and will my self to detour from my "plan." Mid-twenties ought to be enjoyed, the rest always figures itself out.

Anybody else out there know this feeling?

--Megan