Library-based adult literacy programs rely on volunteers to provide tutoring services to adult learners. A high percentage of volunteer tutors are matched with a reading-disabled adult literacy learner. Although all tutors are required to complete preservice tutor training, there is a limited amount of research that documents whether they utilize…

This written recruitment plan for Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE)-funded adult basic education and literacy programs includes eight objectives, action steps for each objective, assignment of responsibility for each step, and a maintenance schedule that indicates exactly when and how often a step should be repeated. A glossary of terms…

Contains an analysis of prevailing practices in adult literacy volunteer programs. Considers selected research, literature, and programs, mostly from the context of the burgeoning emphasis on literacy voluntarism in the United States. Neglected questions of policy and practice are raised. (Author/CH)

Librarians in Stamford, Waterbury, Syracuse, and Southbridge (Massachusetts) are all involved in a program called Literacy Volunteers of America. This private nonprofit agency has one overriding concern, and that is to help adults and teenagers who are inadequate readers, or "functional illiterates." (Author)

Detailed interviews with four volunteer tutor/student pairs at the Stow Hill Adult Literacy Centre in Newport (England) found that peer tutoring substantially increased student confidence and reduction of anxiety about literacy problems and negative schooling experiences. Tutors also learned from the experience. (SK)

This booklet is designed to sensitize volunteer literacy tutors to the special needs and interests of illiterate older learners. It also gives useful tips for creating successful and self-rewarding learning experiences. The first section on the world of older adults with literacy problems describes some of the characteristics of this group. In the…

A definition of illiteracy is the inability to read and compute at the standard needed by an adult within a chosen social context. While statistics may vary depending upon the study, women make up the majority of the illiterates nationally and internationally. Three factors that contribute to illiteracy among women are social acculturation and…

Describes the background of Literacy Canada-Laubach, a voluntary agency working toward 100 percent literacy, as well as Canadian research on adult illiteracy and the background of political support for this issue. Makes eight specific recommendations to the Canadian government on such topics as a National Literacy Council, funding, and materials…

Michigan Literacy conducted a project to collect, review, summarize, and compile a reference document of all student assessment tools currently being used by adult volunteer literacy programs in Michigan. Data were gathered through a survey questionnaire that was sent to 134 volunteer literacy programs (with 82 responses). Respondents reported…

This booklet provides guidance on the support of volunteers in adult literacy and basic skills work. It outlines recommendations that provide practical advice as well as a framework for action to ensure that the quality of basic education provision is maintained and improved. Topics include financial implications in providing support for…

This handbook is intended to help Adult Basic Education (ABE) volunteers in recruiting students for ABE programs. General information on the College of the Albemarle and on continuing education programs appears first. A glossary of adult learning terminoloqy and a brief history of ABE follow. The next section discusses four basic recruitment…

More than 50 percent of the world's adult population is unable to read or write at all. Since many of the tutors of adult illiterates have not had training in the teaching of reading, this booklet was written to introduce these tutors to the practical aspects of an area which has a vast literature of its own. The eleven sections in the booklet…

Project Homebound, a pilot demonstration program in the use of volunteers as a means of attacking adult illiteracy, proved operational in Butte, Montana. Home bound instructors were divided into six teaching teams, each comprised of a certified teacher who served as team leader and designed the materials used, two teacher's aides who recruited…

Compares two approaches to teaching reading to adults: the eclectic, research-based method of Literacy Volunteers of America (LVA) and the phonics-based Laubach Literacy International. Concludes that LVA has the advantages of adaptability to student differences, a thorough evaluation system, and a superior published reading series. (SK)

An evaluation of the VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America) Literacy Corps was conducted to provide a description of the Literacy Corps, numbers of persons served, strategies used, volunteer activities, and project results; to determine the degree to which the program is meeting its goals; and to identify the strengths and weaknesses of the…