May 6, 2009 ... Marty Finsterbusch, VALUE's Executive Director testified before the House Education and Labor Committee's subcommittee on Higher Education, LIfelong Learning, and Competitiveness, chaired by Rep. Ruben Hinojosa on May 5, 2009. The title of the hearing was "New Innovations and Best Practices Under the Workforce Investment Act."

Marty was one of seven witnesses, all of whom addressed issues regarding adult education and family literacy.  Marty was one of two adult learners invited to testify; the other was country singer/songwriter Gretchen Wilson. In his written testimony (PDF), Marty made seven recommendations:

1. Adult learners should be taught using modern technology for reading and writing

2. Make case management a core service

3. Adult education instruction should include workplace essential skills

4. Measure performance differently

5. Share leadership with adult learners

6. Change participation requirements

7. Encourage adult basic education and job training activities to be done together

Check out Marty's written testimony (PDF) to learn what he said about each of these recommendations. He also described the stigma and discrimination adults with low literacy skills have to deal with every day.

To see who else testified, read their testimony, and watch video clips of the hearing or even watch the full hearing (2 hrs.), go to the Education and Labor Committee's web site.