Literacy Volunteer Training Initiative

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

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.

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

• 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.

Timeline

Ongoing

Contact

Ken Appelt, TCALL Professional Development Specialist