Literacy Volunteer Training Initiative

A Collaboration Between the Texas Center for the Advancement of Literacy & Learning
and Literacy Texas, Supported by Texas LEARNS

Among the major goals of the Texas Adult & Family Literacy Clearinghouse Project at TCALL is to work with Texas LEARNS to coordinate several statewide initiatives, including supporting the professional development aims of Texas LEARNS and the GREAT Centers. The Volunteer Training Initiative has been one of those professional development activities since 2004.

Through the Literacy Volunteer Training Initiative, the Clearinghouse Project at TCALL collaborates with Literacy Texas (formerly known as Texas Association of Adult Literacy Councils or TAALC) to support program and professional development for community-based literacy programs and volunteers not currently receiving federal funds for training. That support includes funding of expenses to attend conferences and other trainings such as Bridges to Practice. It has also included funding of ProLiteracy program accreditation fees for community-based literacy programs identified and recommended by Literacy Texas leadership.

Some highlights include:

• Between July 2005 and June 2006, support was provided for participation of local volunteer program tutors or leadership to attend the following:
• Bridges to Practice Training: 126 participants
• TAALC Annual Conference: 87 participants
• El Paso Adult Language and Literacy Conference: 5 participants
• COABE National Conference: 39 participants
• ProLiteracy National Conference: 18 participants
• New Directors’ Training: 18 participants

• Between July 2005 and June 2006, five local programs were supported to obtain ProLiteracy local program accreditation.

• Between July 2006 and June 2007, support was provided for participation of local volunteer program tutors or leadership to attend the following:
• Bridges to Practice Training: 53 participants
• TAALC Annual Conference: 120 participants
• Training of Tutor Trainers: 43 participants
• TALAE Conference: 20 participants
• ProLiteracy National Conference: 10 participants
• Adult Education Standards Conference: 8 participants
• Literacy Ministries Conference at Baylor University: 8 participants
• Other conferences or professional development events: 17 participants

Ongoing

Ken Appelt, TCALL Professional Development Specialist