University at Buffalo undergraduate students are required to complete a non-credit-bearing information competency assessment prior to graduation, preferably within their first year of study. Called the "Library Skills Workbook," this assessment has evolved from a short, print-based quiz into a sophisticated, multi-module tutorial and…

A little-discussed aspect of the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) is a mandate that requires failing schools to hire after-school tutoring companies--the largest of which are private, for-profit corporations--and to pay them with federal funds. "Making Failure Pay" takes a hard look at the implications of this new blurring of the…

The Nassau (New York) Library System contracted with Literacy Volunteers of America to address the problem of adult literacy by increasing the number of trained volunteer tutors who can teach basic literacy skills. Specifically, the project's goals were to: (1) conduct 6 tutor training workshops at library locations; (2) recruit and train 180-200…

A continuing objective of New York State has been to provide equal access to postsecondary educational opportunity. To meet this objective the State has provided resources for special programs in postsecondary institutions for persons who have been academically and educationally disadvantaged. The four separate programs that serve the needs of…