Karla Denny, Director, Communications and Recognition Programs, 785-296-4876
February 13, 2008
For Immediate Release
President George W. Bush today appointed Kansas Commissioner of Education Dr. Alexa Posny to be a member of the National Institute for Literacy Advisory Board. Dr. Posny’s appointment has been sent to the Senate for confirmation.
The National Institute for Literacy provides leadership on literacy issues, including the improvement of reading instruction for children, youth, and adults. In consultation with the U.S. Departments of Education, Labor, and Health and Human Services, the Institute serves as a national resource on current, comprehensive literacy research, practice, and policy.
The National Institute for Literacy was established in 1991 by the National Literacy Act (NLA) and reauthorized by the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) in 1998. In creating the Institute, the U.S. Congress recognized that building a competitive workforce required a concerted effort to improve adults’ basic skills. Congress tasked the Institute with initiating a coordinated, interagency effort to strengthen and expand adult literacy services. Both laws positioned the Institute as a national leader on adult literacy, a central source of knowledge about research, practice, and policy, and a catalyst for innovation.
The Institute’s Advisory Board is composed of 10 individuals appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate. Each Board member may serve a term of one, two, or three years but not more than two consecutive terms. According to the law, Board members are to represent a variety of entities associated with adult literacy including: service providers, businesses with an interest in literacy; experts in literacy research, representatives of labor organizations and others. The Board meets quarterly.
Dr. Posny is now awaiting confirmation by the U. S. Senate before assuming her seat on the Board.