Colleagues, This first issue of the ALP newsletter features a summary of the new Department of Education (OCTAE) report and plan (38 pages, released Feb. 24) for addressing adult education and workforce skills in the U.S. in the coming years. Among the major goals of the plan, called Making Skills Everyone's Business: A Call to Transform Aduilt Learning in the United States, are to work for equity, increased program access by all adults including the lowest skilled, professional development, and improved quality and accountability. Heavy emphasis is given to partnerships and collaborations, and dozens of exemplary efforts are highlighted to illustrate work already being undertaken to advance OCTAE's goals. ALP interviewed Acting Assistant Secretary of OCTAE Johan Uvin for the issue. Several brief news items are also presented in the issue. Available at the ALP website at http://www.alpamerica.com/enews.html . Gail S Gail Spangenberg Founder & Managing Director Adult Learning Partners, LLC 440 East 23rd Street - Ste. 11c New York, NY 10010