RE: The role of Adult Education

Mr. Novick has described the function of adult education and the deep concerns many adult tachers/adminsitrators have with the proposal of merging adult ed. under the community college system. In addition to the programs he cites, we must consider the many "marginalized" students adult education serves.  Think of the many senior citizens served in community centers, parks and senior homes.  Think of the many adults with disabilities served in collaboration with CBOs.  And there are parent education classes for parents of infants/toddlers/school-aged/teens.  These adult students contribute greatly to our communities and need to be served if the concept of life-long learning in all adult roles is to be honored.  I fear that such students (who do not have academic or work skills development as their learning goals) will be easily dropped from the "radar" of program planners and budget analysts.  Is that really what we want to do in the California Master Plan for Education?