Local Structures in Adult Education: A Discussion Paper.

In January 2002, Ireland's minister of state announced the establishment of the National Adult Learning Council to take effect in March 2002. One of the council's priorities will be to establish local adult learning boards (LALBs) to oversee development and delivery of adult education. An Irish government white paper recommended that LALBs' operation be based on the following principles: area-based planning; social inclusion; access, quality, relevance, and progression; partnership; integration; information; flexibility; voluntary effort; and devolved authority. The white paper also recommended that LALBs have the authority to make decisions on the deployment of resources within each region with regard to designated programs within the further education sector in accordance with existing national standards prescribed by the National Qualifications Authority of Ireland, standards and guidelines for good practice, national policies, and Ireland's existing framework for accountability and provision. Plans call for LALBs to include representatives of a variety of stakeholders, including the following: the community; training agencies; schools; Ireland's teachers' union; learners; employers; adult literacy services, library services; health boards; institutes of technology, and universities. LALBs will be required to report annually to Ireland's National Adult Learning Council and develop and follow plans with clearly defined targets and mechanisms of qualitative evaluation. (Contains 6 references.) (MN)