Literacy Volunteer Training Initiative

A Collaboration among Texas Center for the Advancement of Literacy & Learning,
Literacy Texas and Texas LEARNS

Background

Since its inception in 2004, the Literacy Volunteer Training Initiative has been one of the service objectives of TCALL’s Clearinghouse Project, an adult education state leadership activity funded by the Texas Education Agency in collaboration with Texas LEARNS. This is one of several ways in which TCALL works with Texas LEARNS to further important statewide initiatives, including the professional development priorities of Texas LEARNS and the GREAT Centers.

Overview

Through the Literacy Volunteer Training Initiative or VTI, the Clearinghouse Project at TCALL collaborates with Literacy Texas and a VTI Statewide Advisory Committee to build the capacity and quality of volunteer and community-based literacy service providers that do not have access to federal or state funds for training. This is accomplished by supporting access to quality professional development for volunteers, instructional staff, and leaders of those programs.That support includes funding of expenses for participation in conferences and other professional development opportunities.

Outcomes and Products

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

Between July 2007 and June 2008, support was provided for participation of local volunteer program tutors or leadership to attend the following:

Bridges to Practice Training: 57 participants
Literacy Texas Annual Conference: 102 participants
Training of Tutor Trainers: 53 participants
TALAE Conference: 38 participants
ProLiteracy National Conference: 6 participants
ProLiteracy online facilitated training: 2 participants
Workforce Literacy Summit: 13 participants
One Bridges to Practice trainer for the Volunteer Training Initiative was supported to participate in the state professional development initiative, Effective Instruction for All Adult Education Students, Including Those with Special Learning Needs.

Between July 2008 and June 2009, support was provided for participation of local volunteer program tutors or leadership to attend the following:

BEST Plus Training: 9 participants
Bridges to Practice Training: 54 participants Literacy Texas Annual Conference: 95 participants
Training of Tutor Trainers: 69 participants TALAE Conference: 36 participants
ProLiteracy National Conference: 16 participants
Two Bridges to Practice trainers for the Volunteer Training Initiative were supported for travel to a NAASLN (National Association for Adults with Special Learning Needs) conference in Baltimore, Maryland.
One Bridges to Practice trainer for the Volunteer Training Initiative was supported to become a certified trainer with the state initiative, Effective Instruction for All Adult Education Students, Including Those with Special Learning Needs.

Between July 2009 and June 2010, support was provided for participation of local volunteer program tutors or leadership to attend the following:

TISESL Training for Community-Based Organizations (6 attended)
Literacy Texas Conference (64 applications selected, covering 93 persons)
TexTESOL State Conference (No applications were selected for support.)
Evidence-based Approaches for Serving the LD Adults (18 attendees)
TALAE Conference (13 applications approved – 21 persons)
Training of Tutor Trainers (26 attendees)
Training of Tutor Master Trainers (6 attendees)
Workforce Literacy Summit (4 attendees)
National Conference on Family Literacy (17 attendees)
Nonprofit Management Forum (5 attendees)
Creating Engaging ESL Instruction (2 online course fees)
Teaching English with Excellence (10 attendees)

Between July 2010 and June 2011, support was provided for participation of local volunteer program tutors or leadership to attend the following:

Literacy Texas Conference (53 applications selected, covering 93 persons).
TALAE Annual Conference in Austin, TX. (34 persons supported).
A New Directors’ Training in Houston, TX (27 directors trained) The VTI also provided support for training materials and equipment.
Learning to Achieve trainings – 4 trainings were held in May and June of 2011. The Volunteer Training Initiative funded trainer expenses and materials. (a total of 62 persons trained).
Training on the new United States Citizenship Exam provided for two community-based literacy programs. (95 volunteer teachers and staff trained)
Conference with TCALL, Literacy Texas, and other literacy coalitions resulted in the creation of a VTI Advisory Committee.
A Professional Development Needs Assessment for volunteer literacy providers was planned and scheduled to occur in the fall of 2011.

Timeline

Ongoing

Contact

Ken Appelt, TCALL Professional Development Specialist