Literacy Links

Highlights from The Project VITAL Conference

by Janet Hutchinson
VITAL, Southwest Texas State University

Project VITAL (Volunteers in Training for Adult Literacy) a special project funded by the Texas Education Agency, held its third annual literacy conference on June 9, 10, & 11 to identify key issues and concerns currently facing the field of Adult Literacy and Basic Education. Over 200 adult educators attended the conference. Participants included volunteer tutors, CBO directors, Adult Basic Education instructors, correctional instructors and administrators, and academicians in the field of developmental and adult education.

The keynote speaker, Alice Johnson, a policy specialist from the National Institute for Literacy, gave an update on legislation affecting literacy. She also provided a literacy press kit called, "Literacy: It's a Whole New World." It contains information and handouts on literacy facts, concerning the literacy national delivery system, English for speakers of other languages (ESOL), family literacy, workforce literacy, literacy and welfare, literacy and health, literacy and learning disabilities, and correctional literacy. All of these fact sheets, bookmarks, posters, and videos can be used with your local media to promote your literacy organization in the community. If you would like a kit, you can contact me at (512) 245-3995 or e-mail me at JW22@swt.edu and I will be happy to send you one.

Project VITAL also held a Town Meeting on the final day and presented issues to the conference participants for brainstorming. This year's meeting offered a different twist with presenters and representatives from business in attendance to learn more about the field of literacy as well as offer suggestions for new partnerships. Our facilitators, Dr. Emily Miller-Payne and Dr. Barbara Lyman, are Associate Professors in the department of Developmental and Adult Education at Southwest Texas State University and led discussions around specific issues including:

(1) Defining the roles of volunteers in literacy programs
(2) Serving students with special needs (learning disabilities, ESL)
(3) Working collaboratively to fund literacy
(4) Moving literacy clients successfully into job training, employment, or further education; and
(5) Setting and maintaining standards in literacy instruction.

Resulting action plans included making the public better aware of what we do in literacy programs, working collaboratively to fund literacy, recruiting professionals in the field of special and bilingual education to assist programs, setting and maintaining standards in literacy instruction, and moving literacy clients successfully into job training, employment, or further education. Members attending the Town Meeting were asked to tell what they learned about the issues at the conference and what steps they will take to address or resolve those issues.

In the area of the role of the volunteer, participants suggested that volunteers should be treated as paid staff and benefit from job descriptions and orientations. Also, the volunteer has higher success when specific duties are outlined and their efforts are clearly established.

For students with learning disabilities, VITAL participants suggested that volunteer literacy organizations should target their recruitment efforts to include instructors trained in special education.

Bilingual and ESOL concerns surfaced at the Town Meeting. Participants felt the need to address the increased demand for ESL. They stressed the importance of communicating to publishers the need and strong market for bilingual materials. Also, participants felt that volunteer agencies can research materials from other institutions like community colleges, and find additional resources that can be used with adult learners and volunteers.

In the area of welfare reform and job training, participants plan to develop better support services for adult learners through partnerships with local employers and gather current labor market information and have it readily available for students. Also to bolster their marketing strategies, literacy organizations can approach businesses to inform them of how literacy services are delivered and how they might be offered in the business setting.

Discussion also centered on the importance of setting and maintaining standards in literacy instruction. Action suggested by the Town Meeting participants was to offer educational and professional certification opportunities for volunteer tutors. One way to achieve this goal would be for literacy organizations to partner with the adult education cooperatives in their area to build capacity for volunteer instructors.

As the need for literacy organizations continues to grow, and we are asked to provide additional services, it is imperative that we look for partnerships with adult education, community colleges, libraries and other institutions that allow us to expand our services to meet the diverse needs of adult learners.