Adult Education

The real issue is not whether adult schools are doing an excellent job; there has been powerful testimony by a number of participants in this dialogue.  Those of you who have visited an adult school know the positive role it plays in the lives of its students and community. Those of you who have not yet had the opportunity, I invite you down to Santa Clara Adult Education. 

Rather, I suggest what we should be asking ourselves is: "How do we prepare for a future with even greater challenges?"  That is why it is so important to pull Recommendation 38 off the table. We've ragged on it enough. Isn't it premature to provide a "solution" before the issues are properly discussed? No data, no analysis, and no discussion…not a very firm foundation on which to create a future.  

The Master Plan should recommend that a statewide discussion be undertaken in a spirit of collaboration by all stakeholders. From the vitality of the commentary it is obvious that there is both energy and creativity (and humor) that is just begging to be unleashed.  The outcome should be nothing less than a Master Plan for Adult Education in California.  We care about our students that much.