Courses for English-language learners — now held during the day at the Quaker Lane facility and at night at two schools — would continue to be led by teachers but would be spread among six “family and community engagement” centers in schools and other public buildings.
The plans don’t sit well with some students, nor with their teachers and activists, who accuse the school system of attempting to cripple or outright eliminate programs for older adults.
Those fears were fueled in late November by the school system’s unexplained decision to stop allowing students to register for spring English courses. Registration was reopened after activists held a letter-writing campaign in support of the program. Suspicion lingers.
Activist Jo Anne Barnhart accused Sherman of trying to ram through changes unilaterally, “using his enhanced services for 15- to 22-year-olds to cloud the issue of the absolute dismantling of services for young adults.”
Students, teachers and volunteers have packed public meetings on the issue in recent weeks and written countless letters to elected officials.
“I like the way we are right now,” said Oliva Yajaira, 31, an immigrant from Honduras and an English-language student. She works at Target and said she is able to speak with co-workers because of Alexandria’s program. “Why do we need to change?” she asked.
Sherman and school board members said they will refine the plan in coming months.
The superintendent said he plans to hold funding steady next school year for programs serving older adults, with details to come when he presents his 2013 budget proposal Jan. 19.
But there needs to be a recognition, he argues, that the school system’s core mission is not to help older people get GEDs; it’s to help young people get the skills they need to earn a diploma and navigate life beyond high school. In the future, he said, he hopes that city government and other partners might step forward to help foot the bill for adult education.
“Is this entirely a school system responsibility to deal with our adult learners?” he said. “Ultimately, that’s going to be a big question for Alexandria.”
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