In the most recent study of 20 industrialized nations, the United States ranked 12 in adult literacy. How can parents and other adults become more involved in learning, developing and providing literacy skills for themselves and their families? This year the NC Reading Association and UNC-TV have looked into the situation to explore models of best practices to find solutions. Join host Diane Lucas in this edition of Education Forum for highlights of some of the best practices in literacy across the state..

The University of North Carolina Center for Public Television (UNC-TV) operates North Carolina’s only statewide public television network and is committed to offering programs that focus on the educational needs and interests of all North Carolina residents. Founded in 1955 to bolster educational efforts statewide, UNC-TV is committed to using telecommunications wisely to educate, inform and enrich North Carolinians.

UNC-TV is North Carolina’s largest classroom, offering educational programs suitable for both children and adults. In cooperation with a consortium of community colleges and universities, UNC-TV broadcasts adult education programs, including telecourses for college credit. The Telecourse Consortium is the third largest distance learning consortium in the United States. The North Carolina Consortium received the national Telecourse People Award in 1998 for “exemplary utilization of distance learning telecourses and for fostering a model for others to follow.” Recently, Stan Cahill, Senior Director for Business and Project development at PBS Adult Learning Service called the telecourse efforts of UNC-TV and the North Carolina Telecourse Consortium though the Ready To Earn service “one of the best in the country…a national model in station and college cooperation.”

North Carolina ranks 41st in the nation in literacy. More than 50% of our population experiences significant adult literacy needs.

In May 2001, UNC-TV conducted a literacy needs assessment of the state and drew on the expertise of 30 professionals from local and statewide literacy agencies. Participants all pointed to a severe lack of awareness on the part of the public about:

• Why literacy is important
• What literacy services are available
• How the people can access the needed services

A family literacy project was created that addressed this need by conducting community literacy seminars in conjunction with the North Carolina Reading Association in more than 12 sites across the state.

Program Moderator:

Diane Lucas
Director of Programming and Outreach
UNC-TV

Program Guests:

Agnes Cherry
School media specialist at Darden-Vick Elementary School and President of the Wilson County Reading Association

Marsha Lewis
Teacher, Vice President of the Duplin County Reading Association and Statewide Coordinator for the North Carolina Reading Association
North Carolina Reading Association

Elaine Dupree
Teacher and President of the Harnett County Reading Association