From survival to thriving: toward a more articulated system for adult ESL literacy

Abstract

"The United States is a long way from having a coherent system of immigrant education and workforce training. There is no national language policy that offers a vision for immigrant integration that addresses the language and literacy needs of immigrants and refugees as well as their job training and family support needs. There is no one federal office in charge of coordinating the multiple departments that fund services for immigrants. Rather the system consists of a patchwork of departments and services, each with its own regulations and requirements. As a result the system is highly fragmented. Finding ways to offer services for immigrant and refugee families with multiple needs is a complex and often frustrating endeavor"