For the last two years, I have been honored to be the Co –Chairman of the General Assembly’s Program Review and Investigations Committee.  This important, bi-partisan committee has an independent staff of nine statistician/researchers who conduct in-depth reviews of state programs and agencies at the request of the legislators.  We concluded a recent comprehensive study of the Connecticut Tax System this year, as well as a wholistic review of policies such as binding arbitration and alternative incarceration for certain convicted offenders.  We also took a serious look at the Probate Courts and how they are funded in our state.  These studies each produced recommendations for new legislation or changes to existing statutes to reflect the amendments to policy we observed. 

Now that those studies are complete, the Program Review and Investigations Committee is preparing the scope of new studies for the next General Assembly to consider in January.  And although the legislature is not currently in session, we members of the PRI Committee are meeting through the summer and fall to prepare for next session.   This month, the committee is meeting to discuss the progress of various studies. One of many ongoing studies under discussion involves the coordination of adult literacy programs.

With this particular study, PRI is looking at how adult literacy programs and services are funded, delivered and overseen in Connecticut. Furthermore, the study is intended to determine if the current state service delivery system is efficient and effective. The National Institute for Literacy defines literacy as someone’s ability to read, write and speak in English, and compute and solve problems well enough to function on the job, in the family and in society. Federal and state law requires the availability of programs providing opportunities for certain basic education, secondary school completion, English as a Second Language (ESL) and citizenship programs to adults older than 16 who are not enrolled in public school.

 In Connecticut, the mandated state adult education system is overseen by the state Department of Education and provided through local school systems and, sometimes, operated by community-based organizations and made available in the workplace. In addition, adult literacy programs are offered as a component of state social service and employment programs.

Among other things, legislators have expressed an interest in accountability for program outcomes and the success of the current system in meeting adult literacy needs, now and in the future.

When the study is completed, our recommendations will be presented to the full legislature and public hearings will offer an opportunity for you to comment on the findings.  I will keep you informed of our progress. Meanwhile, you can find a great deal of information about this and other PRI studies on our committee’s website at www.cga.ct.gov/pri.

I am proud to remain your Senator until my term ends in January and my office will remain open to assist you.  As always, I am interested in your thoughts and concerns.  I can be reached at the Capitol at 1-800-842-1421 or you can send me an e-mail at Catherine.Cook@cga.ct.gov.  I look forward to hearing from you.