Civic Participation and Community Action Sourcebook

Appendix F

The Bill of Rights for Adult Basic Education Students

1. We have the right to get the education we need. Give us the opportunity. We are CAPABLE.

2. Everybody should have the OPPORTUNITY to learn how to read and write.

3. We have the right to speak freely WITHOUT negative criticism.

4. We have the right to a FULL education. We should NEVER BE shortchanged.

5. We have the right to learn at our own PACE AND STYLE. We all learn differently. We should not be pushed aside because we might take longer or learn in a different way.

6. We have the right to be shown how to do things when needed. We are CAPABLE.

7. We have the right to sit on the school board and share our views and ideas. OUR VOTES COUNT!

8. We have the right to be treated as EQUALS. We are intelligent adult citizens.

9. We have the right to have our views VALUED.

10. We have the right to be recognized for what we DO KNOW and HAVE ACCOMPLISHED.

We the undersigned do believe these rights should be adopted by the Adult Basic Education system. We also recognize that these rights we have stated should NOT be limiting, but rather a foundation for the rights of ALL Adult Basic Education students throughout the system. We have lived by the “traditional system.” It does NOT meet the needs or rights of ALL people. The saddest state of affairs is that it continues today in our school system.

This document was created on November 15, 1944 by A.B.E. students in Rutland County, Vermont, who participated in a history course called “U.S.: A Country With a Past,” designed and taught by Diane L. Ray.

Janet Hurst, Alice Stamper, Alice Johnson, Jodie Stone, Helen Wagner, John Stamper, Helen Baird, Richard Gonyea, Peter Guetti, Virginia Hayes

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