File #: Res 0015-2006    Version: * Name: Establish a New York Student Bill of Rights for Adult Education
Type: Resolution Status: Filed
Committee: Committee on Education
On agenda: 2/1/2006
Enactment date: Law number:
Title: Resolution calling upon the New York State Legislature to establish a New York Student Bill of Rights for Adult Education, which would preserve and enhance the variety of adult literacy programs administered by community-based organizations, public libraries, educational institutions and other organizations throughout New York State.
Sponsors: Letitia James, Inez E. Dickens, Helen D. Foster, G. Oliver Koppell, John C. Liu, Melissa Mark-Viverito, Annabel Palma, James Sanders, Jr., Albert Vann, Thomas White, Jr., Rosie Mendez, David Yassky, Tony Avella, Maria Del Carmen Arroyo, David I. Weprin, Alan J. Gerson, James S. Oddo
Council Member Sponsors: 17

Res. No. 15

Resolution calling upon the New York State Legislature to establish a New York Student Bill of Rights for Adult Education, which would preserve and enhance the variety of adult literacy programs administered by community-based organizations, public libraries, educational institutions and other organizations throughout New York State.

 

By Council Members James, Dickens, Foster, Koppell, Liu, Mark-Viverito, Palma, Sanders Jr., Vann, White Jr., Mendez, Yassky, Avella, Arroyo, Weprin, Gerson and Oddo

 

                     Whereas, Research conducted by the City University of New York reports that twenty-five percent of New York City adults twenty-five years of age and older do not have high school diplomas; and

Whereas, According to the Literacy Assistance Center, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting and promoting the expansion of quality literacy services in New York, twenty-four percent of New York State residents and thirty-six percent of New York City residents are able to sign their name but unable to write a simple sentence; and

                     Whereas, According to the Literacy Assistance Center, approximately 1.5 million New York City residents have significant problems speaking English; and

Whereas, The continued rise in both the immigrant population and in the number of adults needing a high school diploma demonstrates that there will be a steady increase in the demand for adult literacy programs; and

Whereas, The New York City Mayor’s Office reported that up to two million residents are in need of adult literacy programs, but that only sixty thousand people currently enjoy the benefit of such programs; and

Whereas, Adults who successfully enhance their reading, writing, math and English-language abilities through adult literacy programs are better equipped to obtain higher paying jobs, attend post-secondary educational institutions, access and navigate the health care system more effectively and actively participate in their children’s education; and

Whereas, The New York Student Bill of Rights for Adult Education would mandate the creation of a free, effective delivery system of adult basic education which would provide basic literacy, English as a second language, adult secondary education, computer training and vocational education; and

Whereas, The New York Student Bill of Rights for Adult Education would permanently maintain the safe, accessible and effective adult literacy programs currently provided to tens of thousands of adults in New York State; now, therefore, be it

                     Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls upon the New York State Legislature to establish a New York Student Bill of Rights for Adult Education, which would preserve and enhance the variety of adult literacy programs administered by community-based organizations, public libraries, educational institutions and other organizations throughout New York State.

 

 

 

 

 

LS #143

1/26/2006

JE