Executive Order Number Forty Continuing And Reorganizing The Interagency Council On Adult Literacy
WHEREAS, the demands of a changing society are rapidly raising the level of literacy in reading, numeration, communication, problem solving and use of technology essential for effective participation in family, employment and community matters; and
WHEREAS, for Delaware to be a literate State, a broad spectrum of services must be designed and provided to meet the literacy needs of Delawareans regardless of age; and
WHEREAS, the literacy level of parents and/or guardians has a direct impact on the literacy level of a child; and
WHEREAS, attaining a literate Delaware is imperative to ensure the State’s continued economic competitiveness as well as to provide an enhanced quality of life; and
WHEREAS, a literate Delaware requires commitment, coordination, and collaboration between the public and private sectors; and
WHEREAS, in 1990 the State convened an Adult Literacy Summit in which leaders of government, business, education, general community and industry in Delaware met in an effort to address the issues associated with adult education; and
WHEREAS, on September 17, 1991, by Executive Order No. 98, then-Governor Michael N. Castle created the Interagency Council on Adult Literacy (the “ICAL”) in order to facilitate literacy initiatives in the State; and
WHEREAS, the Minner-Carney administration has worked supportively with the ICAL and wishes to encourage the organization to continue their service to the residents of Delaware; and
WHEREAS, it is appropriate to continue the ICAL, and that its structure, organization and purposes be modified to reflect and account for changes since the adoption of Executive Order No. 98;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, RUTH ANN MINNER, by virtue of the authority vested in me as Governor of the State of Delaware do hereby order and declare as follows:
1. The Interagency Council on Adult Literacy is reconstituted and continued. The ICAL shall consist of not more than fifteen (15) members, each of whom shall be appointed by and serve at the pleasure of the Governor. Membership on the ICAL shall include the following persons:
a. A Chairperson;
b. One representative from each of the following State agencies: the Department of Education, the Department of Health and Social Services, the Department of Labor, the Department of Correction, the Delaware Economic Development Office, the Department of State, the Delaware State Housing Authority;
c. One representative of the Organization of Adult Alumni and Students in Service (OAASIS);
d. One representative of the Delaware Association for Adult and Community Education (DAACE);
e. At least one President from one of Delaware’s institutions of higher education;
f. The Chairman of the Delaware Coalition for Literacy, Inc. (DCL).
Members of the ICAL are authorized to select officers from among the ICAL’s regular members.
2. In addition to the above regular members of the ICAL, there may be advisory members of the ICAL, who may be appointed from among various educational organizations, groups that provide basic education and/or literacy skills, students and consumers of such educational programs and other special members that represent specific priority populations or areas of expertise. Such advisory members of the ICAL shall be appointed by the Chairperson. In appointing advisory members, the Chairperson shall ensure diverse representation of educational programs and consumers throughout the State.
3. The ICAL shall be responsible for the development of an action plan to advance literacy within the State. In furtherance of that objective, the ICAL shall:
a. Coordinate and convene a literacy summit to develop recommendations for increasing literacy;
b. Develop an adult and family literacy policy;
c. Recommend appropriate literacy-related legislation;
d. Coordinate policy and resources with other agencies regarding delivery of services for existing and future programs;
e. Review and recommend target populations;
f. Gather and analyze literacy data;
g. Monitor and evaluate literacy-related activities in an effort to attain literacy goals;
h. Publicly highlight the on-going literacy successes and challenges in Delaware; and
i. Devise a plan to provide access to literacy services.
4. The ICAL shall publish an annual report on its progress, to be provided to the Governor and members of the General Assembly, on or about September 8 of each year, International Literacy Day.
5. Executive Order No. 98, entered September 17, 1991, is hereby rescinded.
Approved: March 27, 2003
