Literacy FAQ
- What is a Literacy Coalition?
- What is literacy?
- What is a library based literacy program?
- What is a youth literacy program?
- What is a family literacy program?
- What is workforce literacy?
- What is adult basic education (ABE)?
- What is an ESL program?
- What does GED stand for?
- What is an adult school?
- What is Families for Literacy (FFL)?
- What is Equipped for the Future (EFF)?
- What kind of assessment do learners receive?
- What is a literacy professional?
- What does a literacy tutor do?
- What do you learn at tutor training?
- What is dyslexia?
- Are there other learning disabilities besides dyslexia?
- Are Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD) learning disabilities?
- How common are language-based learning disabilities?
A group of stakeholders working together to support the issue of literacy and improve basic educational opportunities for the residents in their communities.
The Workforce Investment Act of 1998 defines literacy as "an individual's ability to read, write, speak in English, compute and solve problems at levels of proficiency necessary to function on the job, in the family of the individual and in society." This is a broader view of literacy than just an individual's ability to read, the more traditional concept of literacy. As information and technology have increasingly shaped our society, the skills we need to function successfully have gone beyond reading, and literacy has come to include the skills listed in the current definition. (From the National Institute for Literacy)
What is a library based literacy program?
A library based literacy program takes place at a local library and usually involves a volunteer tutor and adult learner working one-on-one to improve an individual's literacy skills. Most library based programs also include: literacy professionals on staff to train and help volunteer tutors; a resource library with appropriate materials for tutors and learners; and computers with educational software. Many library based programs also include a youth tutoring program, family literacy services, and/or small group supplemental services for adults such as conversation classes and workshops.
What is a youth literacy program?
A youth literacy program can take place at a local community center, library, or school and usually involves volunteer tutors working with children 5 to 18 years of age to improve their literacy skills.
What is a family literacy program?
Family literacy programs are designed to help both parents and their children to stop the cycle of illiteracy. In family literacy programs, adults and children learn side by side. Children develop the language and literacy skills they need with the support of their parents or primary caregivers, who also have the opportunity to improve their own skills. (From the National Center for Family Literacy)
Workforce literacy is a term for the literacy activities that people use at work. Workforce literacy includes: reading, writing and math activities, oral communication, technology, critical thinking and problem solving. Workforce literacy focuses on the literacy that people need to find employment, keep jobs, and move on to other kinds of work. It is also about understanding the workplace and the roles and relationships of the people who work there. (From the Ontario Literacy Coalition Workforce Literacy Fact Sheet)
What is adult basic education (ABE)?
Adult Basic Education or ABE is classroom based literacy instruction that usually takes place at a community college or adult school. These classes are usually free of charge for the participant. The classes introduce and review basic skills at various levels in Reading, Writing, Math, Spelling, Vocabulary, Communication and critical thinking needed to function in society. Emphasis is on identifying and mastering facts, terms, and learning strategies and applying knowledge to Consumer Economics, Parenting, Community Resources, Health, Employment, Citizenship, Communication and Technology.
ESL stands for English as a Second Language. ESL programs teach literacy and speaking skills to students who are learning English as their second language. These programs take place at community centers and community college adult schools. Usually, the programs are small group or classroom based.
GED stands for General Education Development. The GED test measures how well someone has mastered the skills and general knowledge that are acquired in a four-year high school education. There are classes available through community colleges that can help people prepare for the GED. (From GEDonline.org)
Adult schools are usually run through community college or high school districts. Generally, they offer classes in Adult Basic Education, ESL, GED preparation and other continuing education opportunities. Usually these classes are free of charge to the public.
What is Families for Literacy (FFL)?
In 1988 the California State Legislature created the Families for Literacy (FFL) Program, a state-wide family literacy initiative for public libraries already providing adult literacy services, to extend those services to include the families of adult learners with preschool children. (From www.literacynet.org)
What is Equipped for the Future (EFF)?
EFF is a set of standards and assessment that was developed by the National Institute for Literacy and adult literacy programs from around the nation. These standards are based on the learners needs and help to guide individualized instruction. The 16 Equipped for the Future standards define the knowledge and skills adults need in order to successfully carry out their roles as parents, citizens, and workers in the 21st Century. These skills include strong reading, writing, and math skills; they also include the skills we need to communicate and work well with others; to solve problems; and to keep up with change.
What kind of assessment do learners receive?
Learners in both adult and youth literacy programs are assessed before beginning a literacy program and at regular intervals during their participation. The assessments help to determine what kind of instruction the learner needs and if they are at the appropriate literacy program. Each literacy program has developed their own assessments based on the needs of the learners in their community and what works best for the literacy program staff. Assessment models include Equipped for the Future, CASAS and TABE.
What is a literacy professional?
A literacy professional is a permanent paid staff person who works at a literacy program. The literacy professional has training and education specifically in literacy and literacy related fields. Literacy professionals do a number of things to make sure the literacy programs are running smoothly, including: train volunteers, work with learners, assess learners, run computer labs, and manage staff and volunteers.
What does a literacy tutor do?
A volunteer literacy tutor works with adult or youth learners in one-on-one, small group, or classroom settings to help them improve their literacy skills.
What do you learn at tutor training?
Tutor trainings provide general information on literacy, learning styles, how to teach phonics, site words, vocabulary, writing, and reading comprehension skills. The trainings also provide helpful tips for tutoring, lesson plan ideas, and resources available for the tutor. They usually last between 12 - 15 hours for an adult program and 3 - 5 hours for a youth literacy program.
Dyslexia is a specific learning disability that is neurological in origin. It is characterized by difficulties with accurate and / or fluent word recognition and by poor spelling and decoding abilities. These difficulties typically result from a deficit in the phonological component of language that is often unexpected in relation to other cognitive abilities and the provision of effective classroom instruction. Secondary consequences may include problems in reading comprehension and reduced reading experience that can impede growth of vocabulary and background knowledge. Studies show that individuals with dyslexia process information in a different area of the brain than do non-dyslexics.Many people who are dyslexic are of average to above average intelligence. For more information on Dyslexia and other learning disabilities please visit the International Dyslexia Association website at www.interdys.org. (From www.interdys.org)
Are there other learning disabilities besides dyslexia?
Dyslexia is one type of learning disability. Others include Dyscalculia - a mathematical disability in which a person has unusual difficulty solving arithmetic problems and grasping math concepts. Dysgraphia - a neurological-based writing disability in which a person finds it hard to form letters or write within a defined space.
Are Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD) learning disabilities?
No, they are behavioral disorders. An individual can have more than one learning or behavioral disability. In various studies as many as 50% of those diagnosed with a learning or reading difference have also been diagnosed with ADHD. Although disabilities may co-occur, one is not the cause of the other.
How common are language-based learning disabilities?
15-20% of the population have a language-based learning disability. Of the students with specific learning disabilities receiving special education services, 70-80% have deficits in reading. Dyslexia is the most common cause of reading, writing and spelling difficulties. Dyslexia affects males and females nearly equally, and people from different ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds as well.