TEXAS Adult & Family Literacy QUARTERLY

Teacher Spotlight

FREE Things to Send For...

“The materials are up-to-date and excellent.”

Luann Slover
Teacher
Windham School District, Roach Unit

BEGINNING A LITERACY PROGRAM

New Beginnings: Creating and Establishing an Adult Literacy Program. Normand, Amy J., Executive Editor (June 2002). San Marcos, TX: Volunteers in Training for Adult Literacy. This compact guide was created to assist literacy groups, school districts, community-based, and faith-based organizations in the process of beginning an adult literacy program in their community. It is designed for groups who have never experienced the process of starting a nonprofit organization and have little or no background knowledge of adult literacy, adult basic or secondary education, English as a Second Language, or GED Preparation. Chapters were written by Texas adult education practitioners and include: Program Planning (Amy Normand); Fund Development (Connie Munn); Volunteer Recruitment and Retention (Jean Villa); Tutor Training (Robert Pinhero); Student Recruitment, Orientation, and Retention (Janell Baker); Literacy and Adult Basic Education (Cletis Tatum); English as a Second Language (UT-San Antonio ESL Professional Development Center Staff); and Adult Secondary Education and GED (Jeanni Pruitt). Available on TCALL Website

SUSTAINED SILENT READING

Sustained Silent Reading: A Useful Model. This article by Susanne Campagna was featured in the November 2005 issue of Focus on Basics, published by the National Center for the Study of Adult Learning and Literacy. Teaching reading, writing, and math while allowing learners to stay focused on their individual goals requires careful planning, excellent time management skills, and flexibility. This is no easy task when an instructor sees her students a mere 10.5 hours a week or less. So why, you might ask, would our program set aside an hour and a half of instructional time every week to have our students engage in sustained silent reading?

Modified Sustained Silent Reading - Does it benefit beginning learners of English? This Conversation with FOB was featured in the March 2005 issue of Focus on Basics, published by the National Center for the Study of Adult Learning and Literacy. One of the many research projects carried out at NCSALL’s National Adult ESOL Labsite, or Lab School, in Portland, Oregon, focused on beginning-level reading. The research project tested the use of sustained silent reading (SSR) as a methodology for teaching reading to very beginning learners of English for speakers of other languages (ESOL). Classes were conducted by Portland Community College (PCC). Sandra Banke, one of the teacher/researchers in the project, and Reuel Kurzet, professional development associate/researcher for the project and chair of PCC’s English as a second language (ESL) department, spoke to Focus on Basics about the project and what they learned from it.

TEACHING AND LEARNING WITH ADULTS

Adult Learning in Cohort Groups. Imel, Susan (2002). Columbus, OH: ERIC Clearinghouse on Adult, Career, and Vocational Education. A form of group learning – cohorts – has emerged as an attractive option for administrators, instructors, and participants. Cohorts are usually defined as groups of students who enroll at the same time and go through a program by taking the same courses at the same time. This ERIC Practice Application Brief highlights findings from research and theory on adult learning cohorts to examine how cohorts are structured or formed and the experience of the learning process within cohorts. Recommendations for practice are provided.

Considering Culture in the Selection of Teaching Approaches for Adults. Ziegahn, Linda (2001). Columbus, OH: ERIC Clearinghouse on Adult, Career, and Vocational Education. Adult educators are increasingly committed to designing learning that takes into account cultural differences. This ERIC Digest examines the different dimensions of culture that are relevant to the adult learning context, speaking primarily to the case of the United States, including both the personal cultures of learners and educators, and the culture of the larger social political environment. It explores how cultural values permeate instruction and looks at several approaches that take culture into account.

Teaching Style vs. Learning Style. Brown, Bettina Lankard (2003). Columbus, OH: ERIC Clearinghouse on Adult, Career, and Vocational Education. Teaching and learning styles are the behaviors or actions that teachers and learners exhibit in the learning exchange. Over the years, questions about the congruence of teaching and learning styles and the potential for flexibility in their use have surfaced: Do the teaching styles of teachers match students’ learning styles? Can individuals learn effectively when instructional delivery does not match their preferred learning style? Can teaching and learning styles be adapted or modified? These and similar questions are explored in this publication from the ERIC Myths and Realities series.

CORRECTIONAL EDUCATION

Current Issues in Correctional Education: A Compilation and Discussion. Spangenberg, Gail (February 2004). New York, NY: Council for Advancement of Adult Literacy. This paper is based primarily on interviews and subsequent consultations with 15 national and state leaders in correctional education. Its purpose is to help focus attention on the need for more and better correctional education in America and to open the door to a fresh consideration of policy development, the need for increased and better-directed funding, and more effective advocacy for correctional literacy and adult education services.

Educating Linguistically and Culturally Diverse Students in Correctional Settings. Collier, V. P. and Thomas, W. P. (2001). Moscow, ID: Northwest LINCS Project. Originally published in the Journal of Correctional Education {52(2), 68-73}, this article provides an overview of the unique academic and sociocultural challenges of serving linguistically and culturally diverse populations in a correctional setting, particularly immigrants or those from a bilingual/bicultural community with ancient ethnolinguistic roots. Teaching strategies are suggested, such as the use of learners’ life stories and building new knowledge on the learners’ their existing linguistic and cultural knowledge.

Education Reduces Crime: Three-State Recidivism Study Executive Summary. Steurer, Stephen J. and Smith, Linda G. (February 2003). Lanham, MD: Correctional Education Association and Management & Training Corporation. From Preface: “With the increased numbers of inmates crowding our jails and prisons, it is imperative for the public to reconsider the traditional view of the purpose of incarceration. Rather than accepting the old adage of locking them up and ‘throwing away the key,’ we must consider recent research findings that show many prisoners can be rehabilitated, through education and training, and eventually contribute constructively to society upon reentry. These studies are demonstrating that prison can be a place where criminals are transformed into law-abiding citizens, productive workers, and good parents. If you think this is important, continue reading.” The complete Three State Recidivism Study report published in 2001 is also available on loan from the Clearinghouse Library.

Employment-Focused Programs for Ex-Prisoners: What Have We Learned, What Are We Learning, and Where Should We Go from Here? Bloom, Dan (July 2006). New York, NY: Manpower Demonstration Research Corporation. Each year, more than 600,000 people are released from prison. The obstacles to successful reentry are daunting, starting with the challenge of finding stable work. Indeed, a large proportion of released inmates return to prison within a relatively short time. In recognition of the enormous human and financial toll of recidivism, there is new interest among researchers, community advocates, and public officials in prisoner reentry initiatives, particularly those focused on employment. In May 2006, the National Poverty Center at the University of Michigan hosted a meeting — “Research on Prisoner Reentry: What Do We Know and What Do We Want to Know?” — to discuss the state of research on employment-focused prisoner reentry programs. This paper, written as background for the meeting, reviews previous research, describes some planned or ongoing evaluations, and proposes some ideas for future research.

Transition Programs: Bridging the Gap. Hudson River Center for Program Development, Inc. (1998). Albany, NY: University of the State of New York. New York’s state education department administers education programs for youth age 16-20 incarcerated in county and municipal correctional facilities. This document was developed to share the collective wisdom and experience of education professionals who have successfully guided the transition of hundreds of incarcerated youth and adults back to the community. Key elements of transition programs are identified in the areas of providing instruction, promoting job readiness, and creating a supportive network. Characteristics of the effective transition coordinator are also discussed in terms of meeting the needs of both clients and the community.

PARENTING VIDEOS FROM THE I AM YOUR CHILD SERIES

In 1997, Rob and Michele Reiner joined forces with leading child development experts to help raise public awareness about the critical importance of the prenatal period through the early years in a child’s healthy brain development. Already a renowned film director, Reiner turned his talents to helping educate parents on this and other topics of interest to the caregivers of our youngest children. The critically-acclaimed I Am Your Child series began with the release of The First Years Last Forever in 1997. The star-studded series has grown throughout the years to comprise 13 productions in English and 11 in Spanish, published by Parents’ Action for Children.

Contact the Clearinghouse Library to request a free copy of any of the videos described below. Each video is between 24 and 32 minutes long. All are available on videotape, with a smaller supply of some titles on DVD. Many are available in Spanish as well as English, and come with a booklet summarizing the content.

A Child with Special Needs - Sylvester Stallone hosts families of children with special needs who share their stories to help others in similar circumstances understand that, while every child is unique, there are common experiences, emotions, and challenges they are likely to encounter as they work to help their child. Spanish language version is hosted by Cristina Saralegui.

Discipline: Teaching Limits With Love - Pediatrician Dr. T. Berry Brazelton shows parents that setting limits is not punishment, but a loving way to teach a child how to control his or her own behavior. Subjects include: why a child actually looks for limits; why a firm but gentle approach is most effective; and how parents can manage their own emotions and avoid physical punishment. Spanish language version is hosted by former U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Antonia Novello.

The First Years Last Forever - Host Rob Reiner helps new parents understand the importance of the first three years of life in the healthy development of their children. Video summarizes brain research and gives parents specific tips on how to build stronger bonds with their babies. This video covers a wide range of parenting topics including: bonding and attachment, communication, discipline, self-esteem, health and nutrition, and child care. Spanish language version is hosted by Gloria Estefan.

Food and Fitness Matter: Raising Healthy, Active Kids - Host Julia Louis-Dreyfus provides parents with information and support they need to improve children’s health and wellness. Spanish language version is hosted by George Lopez.

Preparing for Parenthood - Whoopi Goldberg hosts this video explaining the importance of prenatal care and showing expectant parents how to give their baby the best chance for a healthy start to life. Spanish language version is hosted by Lili Estefan.

Quality Child Care: Making the Right Choice for You and Your Child - Host Maria Shriver shares information on why quality child care is important, what parents should look for when choosing child care, questions to ask a potential caregiver, and important information to communicate to a caregiver. Spanish language version is hosted by Cristina Saralegui.

Ready to Learn: Essential Tips for Early Literacy - Hosts Jamie Lee Curtis and LeVar Burton show parents and caregivers many things they can do to help build a child’s literacy skills from the time he is born. Spanish language version is hosted by Edward James Olmos.

Safe From the Start - Gloria Estefan shows parents and caregivers how to keep children safe from accidental injuries. The video includes information on automobile child safety seats, toy and gun safety, and provides practical advice to keep children safe both inside and outside the home. Spanish language version is hosted by Andy Garcia.

Stop Smoking Now: Reasons Not to Smoke When You’re Pregnant. Host Rob Reiner emphasizes the reasons a woman should stop smoking before or when pregnant. Video provides support, guidance, and information about resources to help resist the urge to smoke.

To Be a Father. Host Ray Romano features information on what fathers can do to help promote and participate in their young children’s healthy development. Spanish language version is hosted by Antonio Banderas.

Your Healthy Baby. Children’s health and nutrition is the focus of this video. Host Phylicia Rashad discusses children’s changing health needs as they grow and provides useful information on prenatal care, breastfeeding, visiting the pediatrician, children’s nutritional needs and exercise. Spanish language version is hosted by Cristina Saralegui.

Also available free from the Clearinghouse – but in very limited supply – is Building a Healthy Start: A Parent Educator’s Manual for the I Am Your Child Video Series. This book and CD-ROM were developed in association with Zero to Three to help parent educators most effectively use the I Am Your Child video series. 84-page manual offers detailed activities for sessions with parents or caregivers, and tips on how to run effective sessions. A section is devoted to each video and includes: Overview of the Video; Using the Video; Introductory Activity; Other Activities; Closing Activity. The accompanying CD-ROM contains an extensive set of over 40 printable and reproducible handouts for use in the education sessions. The manual includes training modules for these six videos: The First Years Last Forever; Discipline; Ready to Learn; Safe from the Start; Quality Child Care; and Your Healthy Baby.

Last, Rob Reiner hosted a 10-minute video, Why Early Childhood Matters: Inspiring Action in Your Community, in which leaders in government, business, crime prevention, and academia voice their commitment to our nation’s youngest children and emphasize the crucial need for increased investments in early childhood.