Bethany Terry, VITAL Coordinator

bterry@mcpl.info

*Literacy rates are in decline

*Most learners in adult literacy programs start out as non-readers

*Adults use many strategies to conceal their lack of education

*Most adult literacy learners are dyslexic

*Literacy problems affect 47% of the US population

False

True

False

False

True

*Reading – “functional literacy” is the level at which people have enough reading ability to function in their daily lives.

*Writing – the ability to write whatever is necessary in clear and reasonably accurate prose

*Math – the ability to perform the math operations needed for everyday life (do taxes, percentage for tip, balance checkbooks, make change)

*ESL – the ability to read, write, speak and listen in the majority language

Some groups and individuals you might encourage to participate include:

*Libraries*Local government*Social service providers*Schools and other educational programs *Law enforcement *Health providers and community health programs*Employers and other members of the business community*Labor unions*Representatives of community institutions, service organizations

Explore a number of sources of information:

*Census data and other statistical records. *School systems - dropout rates and numbers of students in special education and ESOL or bilingual programs. *Human service agencies and health providers - those unable to fill out forms, those who avoid or have obvious trouble coping with printed material, etc.*Community focus groups. *Key individuals and formal or informal groups rooted in the community. *A Quick Guide to Community Literacy Needs Assessment*National Assessment of Adult Literacy

VITAL Tutor Learner Agreement

VITAL Tutoring Report

*Board of Directors (Library based programs)

*Legal and fiscal responsibility

*Policy approval

*Literacy Advisory Board

*Responsible for program operations, including planning, fundraising, community outreach, etc

*Policy development and recommendations

*Literacy Coordinator & support staff are responsible for:

*Learner outreach and recruitment

*Assessing literacy skills Learner Inventory and Bader Report

*Matching tutors and learners

*Developing curriculum & resources VITAL Tutoring Resources

*Evaluating and reporting progress

*Volunteer recruitment, training and supervision

www.proliteracy.org

*Volunteers can fill many roles:

*Tutors and tutor mentors

*Office support

*Fundraising activities

*Community outreach

*Developing training and

resources

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Resources for Tutors Teaching Adults: A Literacy Resource Book, New Readers Press, ISBN-10: 1564200396 LITSTART: Strategies for Adult Literacy and ESL Tutors ISBN-10: 0883366533 Tutor: A Collaborative, Learner-Centered Approach to Literacy Instruction for Teens and Adults,

New Readers Press, ISBN-10: 1564208958 Teaching Adults: An ESL Resource Book, New Readers Press, ISBN-10: 1564201309 I Speak English: A Guide to Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages-Listening, Speaking, Reading, Writing, Literacy Volunteers of America, ISBN-10: 1568533616

Instructional Materials

Basic Literacy:

Specific Skills Series for Reading, Grade Levels 3-8, SRA/McGraw-Hill, ISBN-10: 0076039552 (Levels A-C) ISBN-10: 0076039560 (Levels D-F) ISBN-10: 0076039579 (Levels F-H) https://www.mheonline.com/segment/view/6/

Reading Wise: Comprehension Strategies that Work, New Readers Press, ISBN-10: 1564203255

Endeavor Series, New Readers Press, ISBN-10: 9781564208538 Voyager Series, New Readers Press, ISBN-10: 156420913X Challenger Series, New Readers Press, ISBN-10: 1564205681 Challenger Writing, New Readers Press, ISBN-10: 1564209008 Contemporary’s Word Power, NTC Pub Group, ISBN-10: 0809208369 Language Builder, McGraw-Hill, ISBN-10: 0072835869

English as a Second Language (ESL): ExpressWays, Pearson Education ESL, ISBN-10: 0133852954 Laubach Way to English, New Readers Press, ISBN-10: 1564209393 Pronuciation Pairs: An Introduction to the Sounds of English, Cambridge University Press, ISBN-10:

9780521678087 http://www.cambridge.org Side-by-Side, Pearson Education ESL, ISBN-10: 0132402548 The Oxford Picture Dictionary Series (workbooks, readers, audio program, assessment, lesson plans and

activities) Oxford University Press, online resources at http://www.oup.com/elt/teacher/opd

GED, Pre-GED and Test Preparation: Pre-GED Skill Workbooks Series (Mathematics, Reading, Writing, Science, Social Studies) New

Readers Press GED Preparation Text (new GED Test in January 2014-no titles yet available)

Life Skills:

Life-Skills Series (Ads & Coupons, Labels & Packages, and more) Remedia Publications

Life Skill Literacy: Things To Know About… Series (Cars and Driving, Housing, and more) J. Weston Walch Publishers http://www.walch.com

Steps To Independent Living: Series (How to Use Money wisely, Stay Healthy, and more) Walch Education http://www.walch.com

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Mathematics: Breakthrough to Math Series (Placement tests, Mastery Checkups, Workbooks, and Teacher

Editions), New Readers Press

Materials for learner selected reading Dominoes Series (Over 50 fiction/non-fiction titles at 4 reading levels, books with Audio CD Rom and activities) Oxford University Press

The SmartReader Recorded Books (Over 60 fiction/non-fiction titles available at 2 reading levels, books with Audio CD read at two speeds) Recorded Books, http://www.recordedbooks.com

Fiction: Humour, Romance, Be the Judge, Multiple Series Grass Roots Press

Reading with Humor Series (24 titles with available Audio CD’s) Remedia Publications,

Non-Fiction: Animal, Health, How To, Multiple Series Grass Roots Press

Activists, Acts of Courage, Sports, Multiple Series Grass Roots Press

VITAL color coding for Materials: The spine of each book or the narrowest part of a non-book item displays a color dot. The dot color indicates the approximate reading level or audience:

Red Beginning - (pre-literacy – 3 grade)

Orange Intermediate - (grades 4-6) Yellow Advanced - (grades 7 and up) Tan GED - (General Education Degree) Green ESL - (English as a Second Language) Violet Professional and Reference materials – (includes Teacher’s Editions)

Publishers New Readers Press: http://www.newreaderspress.com/ publishing division of ProLiteracy, the world's largest adult basic education and literacy organization.

Curriculum Associates: http://www.curriculumassociates.com/ Materials designed to meet state-specific school standards.

Grass Roots Press: http://www.grassrootsbooks.net/us/ High interest/low reading level materials. (Use care when selecting materials from this Canadian organization, some may have alternate spellings.)

High Noon Books: http://www.highnoonbooks.com/index-hnb.tpl High interest/low reading level materials and ESL materials

Oxford University Press: http://www.oup.com Adult education, test preparation, ESL and other materials

Remedia Publications: http://www.rempub.com Materials for K-12, Special education and ESL

Steck-Vaughn Co.: http://steckvaughn.hmhco.com/en/steckvaughn.htm Adult education, workforce readiness, and test preparation resources.

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