WVAEA, Inc. Student Affiliate
(BOLT) Historical
Account
1997-1998 - Federal legislation for
student involvement in program planning, application, and evaluation of adult
basic education programs was encouraged for states to adopt.
March '98 - A student from WV (Virginia
Davis-Mineral County) attended a national conference for adult students in
Washington, DC. Students from across the country met to discuss plans for
student leadership roles and a national organization for student
learners.
April '98 -
Virginia Davis attended a national conference in
Knoxville, TN, to specifically organize a national student organization. VALUE
(Voice for Adult Literacy Unified for Education) was formed.
May '98-May '99 - The first set of 5
regional forums in all of the Regional Coordinators for Adult Education regions
were conducted. The intent of these regional forums was to invite adult students
from current and previous programs of literacy and adult basic education
programs to come to a relaxing environment and discuss pertinent issues relating
to their respective programs. Additionally, preliminary groundwork was laid for
adult students to consider becoming organized. Ninety-eight (98) students from
27 counties participated in these forums.
November
'98 - For the first time, ten (10) students were invited
to attend the annual WVAEA fall conference in Barboursville, WV. A separate
student track was arranged for these students.
June
'99 - Two students (Virginia Davis-Mineral County and
Lynn Harmon-Kanawha County) attended the 2nd national student VALUE conference
in Indianapolis, IN.
June '99 -
A first ever state-wide student conference in WV was
held in Jackson's Mill. This meeting for the 32 ABE and literacy students
offered several sessions specifically designed for adult students as well as
provide them the opportunity to discuss plans for forming a student organization
in WV. The WVAEA Student Affiliate-BOLT (Building Opportunities for
Learning Together) was chartered. A title, mission statement, goals, structure,
and future plans were initiated at this meeting.
November '99 - The WVAEA annual fall
conference held at Canaan Valley had 27 students attend. A pre-conference
session for BOLT to conduct a business meeting was offered. Two adult students
were elected as representatives for the WVAEA Board of Directors. Virginia Davis
(Mineral County) and Loreta Mulligans (Wood County) were elected with Lisa
Kittel (Raleigh County) and Brenda Hickman (Wood County) as
alternates.
May 2000 -
Regional Forums were once again conducted in 4 of the 5
adult education regions. Teachers and tutors were invited to participate during
specific parts of these forums.
June 2000 -
Twenty-four (24) students from each of the 5 regions
attended a state-wide meeting in Summersville to specifically plan BOLT
activities. Committees and committee chairs were selected as well as plans for
BOLT officers to be elected at the annual WVAEA fall conference in Pipestem
State Park.
June 2000 - Lisa
Kittel (Raleigh County) was nominated to be the BOLT representative to the
Governor's Council on Literacy.
Funding for the student organization
activities was provided by: The WV Department of Education, Claude W. Benedum
Foundation, Greater Kanawha Valley Foundation, WV Laubach Literacy, and Literacy
Volunteers of America-WV.
