RE: Adult Education

It is true that there has been a lot of confusion swirling around the Master Plan's approach to adult continuing education.  Obviously, students and teachers are passionate about their programs, and are concerned about the possible harm that will result from an ill-conceived change in governance.

The problem is that one can read and re-read Recommendation 38, and still see if for the "quick fix" that it is. While from "on high," a simple shift in administrative responsibility for adult continuing education might seem appealing, what we are really talking about is future opportunity and the quality of life of millions of adult students, and their families.   

Again, as Jim Delong asks, where's the data?  And where is the financial analysis on which you propose such a radical change? 

I appreciate Charles Ratliff's invitation to "adult education providers to assist us in thinking constructively about ways to achieve the intended objectives, to better serve the huge numbers of California adults who want educational services, and to do so in a cost effective manner."

When it come to the Master Plan and adult continuing education, we all need to step back and give the issue the serious consideration it deserves.  We need to come up with creative, collaborative solutions that will provide the required quality, access, affordability and cost efficiencies.  Listen to the practioners; the answers are there. Let's put Recommendation 38 in the dustbin where it belongs, and get on with the work before us.