Literacy Links

SPECIAL PROJECTS

Working Together: VITAL, for the Future

by Janet Hutchinson, VITAL Coordinator
(512) 245-7982

Project VITAL completed its annual conference on June 24, 25, and 26th in Austin, Texas. The conference had over 200 registered attendants. The theme was Working Together: VITAL for the Future and was chosen to demonstrate the importance of collaboration and the entrepreneurial spirit. Dr. Pavlos Roussos of the Texas Education Agency greeted the participants and Barbara Crosby of the Texas Council on Workforce and Economic Competitiveness discussed some of the current developments in workforce development boards at our opening session. Barbara Crosby emphasized the importance of literacy and adult educators actively participating in the new developments which include technology.

Gary Hoover, CEO of TravelFest Superstores, and the founder of BOOKSTOP, Inc. was our keynote speaker at Tuesday's luncheon. He talked about the seven steps to successful entrepreneurialism and the importance of lifelong learning and education. Some of his tips included looking for answers in unexpected places, keeping a sense of curiosity and remaining passionate about your work.

An innovative session of this year's institute was our Town Meeting: Finding Our Voice, led by Laura Edwards, Volunteer at Project Learn to Read, and Margaret Doughty, Executive Director, Houston READ Commission. Literacy and adult education providers talked about their concerns and defined the areas where they would like more development. Two of the issues included how to increase communication in our field and how to access information on existing models. I would like to remind folks about some excellent resources out there right now:

Texas Center for Adult Literacy & Learning (TCALL): (800) 441-READ. TCALL is the umbrella organization for several grant projects including the Texas Adult Literacy Clearinghouse and the Texas Literacy Resource Center. By asking for the Texas Adult Literacy Clearinghouse, you can have access to a listing of a variety of resources that have been developed by other providers and available for your use.

Education Resources Information Center (ERIC): (800) 848-4815. I spoke with Judy Wagner, User Services Coordinator, at ext. 47685. With one phone call, you can be sent their general information packet that includes a brochure, a list of their major publications for sale, their newsletter, and a list of their no cost resources. The ERIC system is the largest education database in the world containing nearly 700,000 abstracts of documents and journal articles.

National Center on Adult Literacy (NCAL): (215) 898-2100. NCAL is a research organization that focuses on three areas: workplace, family and basic literacy. However, they can also send information on literacy for the disabled, as well as English as a Second Language.

As Gary Hoover suggested, "be curious!" Call these places for information and available resources.

An additional consideration at the Town Meeting was the benefit of literacy organizations staying connected with other providers and developers in the field. A statewide organization that works to promote partnerships between adult education and adult literacy providers is:

Texas Association for Literacy and Adult Education (TALAE): (713) 692-6216. This year's president, Joanie Griffin, can be contacted at the Harris County Department of Education at 6515 Irvington, Houston, TX 77022.

A resource that I have always found helpful is the Adult Basic Education Teacher's Toolkit. It contains curriculum and program ideas, addresses instructional concerns and is written in clear, easy language. Copies may be available through the Texas Adult Literacy Clearinghouse, or if you would like a camera ready copy to facilitate your own printing, you can contact me at Southwest Texas State University. It is also currently available on-line at the Adult Literacy Clearinghouse through their Web site at http://www-tcall.tamu.edu

Goals for VITAL this year will be to continue to offer Tutor Training Modules in seven areas including Family Literacy, Measuring Progress, and Cooperative Learning. There are also six modules in the Administrative Assistance modules which include strategies for planning growth, alternative markets for your services and understanding your partners. In addition, I would like to develop training that addresses your current needs. For example, a beginners start-up kit for administrators new to literacy that identifies who's who and what's what in the Texas literacy arena.

I look forward to working with you and can be reached at the Center for Initiatives in Education at Southwest Texas State University, 601 University Drive, San Marcos, TX 78666, (512)245-7982. Project VITAL is sponsored through the Texas Education Agency Division of Adult and Community Education and is a member of the Adult Education Professional Development and Curriculum Consortium.