VOLUNTEER LITERACY PROGRAM

Contact: Michael Tate
State Board for Community and Technical Colleges
P.O. Box 42495
Olympia, WA 98504-2495
Telephone: 360.704.4329
E-mail: mtate@sbctc.edu

State Website: http://www.sbctc.ctc.edu
Local Link: http://www.sbctc.ctc.edu/College/_e-abe_volunteerliteracy.aspx

Participation: 1,398 volunteers participated in the program during July 1, 2006-June 30, 2007.

Who is Served: Tutors are carefully screened and trained by local program coordinators. To be eligible, participants must:

• Be at least 16 years old.
• Not be enrolled or required to be enrolled in secondary school under state law.
• Lack sufficient mastery of basic educational skills enabling them to function effectively in society and:

- Not have a high school diploma or recognized equivalent.

- Not have achieved an equivalent level of education.

- Not be able to speak, read, or write the English language.

Program Description: The Volunteer Literacy Program subsidizes the salary and benefits of an on-site professional to recruit, train, and support literacy tutors and match them with adult learners. Most tutors work on a one-to-one basis with students. Other tutors assist in classrooms, work with small groups of students, or provide related services such as recruiting and testing students.

Other Program Characteristics: Tutoring programs provide students with intense one-to-one instructional opportunities at convenient times and locations. Tutoring programs also supplement service to students receiving classroom instruction.

Program History: The State Board for Community and Technical Colleges (SBCTC) has awarded small grants to community and technical colleges, literacy councils, and community-based organizations to help recruit, train, and support volunteer literacy tutors since 1987.

Planning Cycle: Every three years.

Outcome Measures: Each Adult and Family Literacy provider must propose and report quarterly rates for participants to:

• Demonstrate improvements in skill levels in reading, writing, and speaking the English language; numeracy; problem solving; English language acquisition; and other literacy skills.
• Enroll in, retain, or complete postsecondary education, training, unsubsidized employment, or career advancement.
• Earn a secondary school diploma or a GED certificate.

Funding and Regional Division: SBCTC awards small grants to community and technical colleges, literacy councils, and community-based organizations across the state.

State Funding: $239,460 (July 1, 2007-June 30, 2008).

Federal Funding: $193,000 (July 1, 2007-June 30, 2008).

Statutory Authority: State Board for Community and Technical College's budget.