At Literacy NJ, the decline in our basic literacy services has caused us to reevaluate and reinvent our program. The cornerstone of our new plan is to offer an 8-week vestibule program called Steps to Success for new basic literacy students, focused on goal setting, crucial digital skills, and the development of independent learning strategies. We…

Analysis of research on voluntary associations and social movements and a large-scale study of adult basic education suggest that personal influence is often an important component of an adult's decision to participate in formal education and may play a critical role in retention and instruction. (SK)

Includes "Reflections of a Delegate to the Presidents' Summit for America's Future [PSAF]" (Seita); "Personal Reactions to the PSAF" (Ellis); "The Presidents' Summit: Telling Our Stories" (Silver); "Thoughts on the Presidents' Summit" (Todd); and "An Internet Dialogue: Thoughts on Literacy, Volunteers,…

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…

The Volunteers in Service to America (VISTA) Summer Associates program enabled 708 people to work full time in low-income areas with 33 existing VISTA sponsors throughout the country for 8-10 weeks in direct service roles performing counseling, tutoring, community outreach, office work, surveys, and home construction. Associates served an average…

A program to develop volunteer literacy programs in Cochise County (Arizona) is reported. The Department of Education grant, administered by the county library system, primarily provided for volunteer coordinator salaries and purchase of computer software for job skills centers. Coordinators were hired for six towns. The report outlines the…

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…

This document examines the activities and resource needs of local basic skills programs; examines the major national organizations that lead, coordinate, and provide technical assistance to local providers; suggests how new organizations can assist and support the delivery of adult literacy services; and recommends public and private sector action…

This document takes a comprehensive look at the resources, problems, and needs of the literacy field and focuses on the long-term requirements for expanding literacy services and ensuring high quality instruction in the United States. (A major conclusion is that the present system, with proper funding and other resources, has the capacity to…

Discusses the types of volunteer programs presently in operation in adult basic education and compares their effectiveness. (GB)

Identifies the immensity of the illiteracy problem, enumerates who are the functional illiterates, and explains what is being done by voluntary organizations such as Literacy Volunteers of America to eradicate it. Literacy Volunteers of New York City, the problem of financial support, and national awareness and progress are highlighted. (EJS)

Discussion of program established in 1977 by the Queens Borough Public Library and Literacy Volunteers of New York to combat the problem of adult illiteracy notes recruitment, training and retention of tutors, student intake procedure, cooperation with community organizations, special programs (math, writing, adult basic education), and program…

Literacy education volunteers during 1988 numbered 77,000, two-thirds of whom served as tutors in basic literacy and English-as-a-second-language classes. The other third served in supportive roles as administrators, recruiters, teacher aides, counselors, and providers of child care and transportation. The number of volunteers rose from 34,500 in…

This document traces the history of volunteerism in the literacy field, discusses the current role and use of volunteers, and assesses the potential and the limits of volunteerism as a current and future means for overcoming illiteracy in the United States. (The major conclusion is that the current delivery system of literacy activities can go no…

This guide, prepared for a Nevada State literacy council, provides practical information and step-by-step planning for recruiting, training, using, retaining, documenting, and recognizing volunteers. The 11 sections of the guide cover the following topics: (1) establishing goals and objectives and writing a plan; (2) identifying jobs and writing…