Literacy – Success Models and FactorsWhat works in the literacy field?
By Nancy Paull
Executive Director
Literacy Coalition of Broward County
What works in literacy is not a question that is easily
answered. There are many different approaches to literacy training – classroom-based,
one-to-one tutoring, whole-language based programs, phonics-based programs and
combinations.
We do not know of any definitive studies contrasting the
learning methods or conclusions as to which is more effective. The key is to provide
enough flexibility to participants so they can find a program that suits their time and
learning style, and to remove as many obstacles as possible so that they can be
successful. Beyond the actual method used (they all work), there are success models out
there working in our community.
What literacy providers in the field say…
Adult literacy works – The school system, library
system and private literacy training programs operating in Broward County provide easy
access and broad choices. The one-on one programs are often oversubscribed for students
and always need more volunteers. Programs are attuned to goals of students and many adapt
instruction to meet student goals.
The Vocational Adult and Community Education Program
of the Broward County School System offers Adult Basic Education ( ABE ), GED (aimed at
gaining high school diplomas) and ESOL ( English as a second language ) programs are
delivered through community schools throughout the county. These are classroom-based
training programs with performance-based goals set by the tutors and the students. Each
One, Teach One, the Broward County Library’s tutoring program for adults, is
one-to-one instruction matching tutors with adults through branch libraries. The library
program also focuses on individual goals.
More needs to be done to overcome barriers to adult
learners – including childcare, transportation, alternative hours and more
neighborhood-based sites – to bring in more students.
Constant awareness campaigns to recruit both students and
tutors by groups such as the Literacy Coalition and individual providers will help.
Workplace literacy works – When employers
recognize the need for literacy among some employees in their workforce to improve
performance levels, adhere to safety standards, or encourage career advancement, the
result can be a powerful impetus to workers who need the training.
The most successful workplace literacy programs provide
instruction to students during paid work time. This instruction can pay off in many ways
for employers. Learning on the job solves barriers of time and access for students, as
well giving them possible rewards for completion of training. The Literacy Coalition and
the Education Stakeholder’s task force of the Broward Coordinating Council are
trying to identify current workforce training programs in Broward. We already know there
are not enough. More education of corporations about the benefits to their companies and
employees and the resources available to them in the community may generate more
participation by employers.
Family literacy works - Working with children and
parents together is a powerful model for advancing literate families and raising the
literacy rate in the county. The parent is the first teacher of the child and can strongly
impact the child’s performance in school. If you concentrate only on poor performing
children in the school system, and don’t look to the family situation and literacy
levels and needs of the parents, you not empowering the most important influence a child
has. Yet to date much more funding has gone in the direction of the students identified as
low achievers in reading. This is beginning to change, and family literacy funding seems
to be increasing.
Several family literacy programs have been highly
successful. These programs offer both individual literacy work for parents and children
and joint reading activities. The programs help parents advance reading, parenting and
employment skills. They also help build a support system for the child to advance in the
school system. Broward County has several model programs. The Toyota Families for
Learning Program (or Family Literacy Program ), is offered by the school system
at selected elementary school sites. The Broward County Library System also has
family literacy programs at the model library in Collier City. Expansion into more
communities with high rates of low literacy is necessary, as well as programs with
alternative hours of operation to meet the needs of working families.
Some success factors to consider from our provider
groups and other literacy coalitions in the area:
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Meeting Student Goals - Often success is dependent less
on the teaching method and more on whether the training program focuses on achieving a
student’s personal goals. Provider members of the Literacy Coalition of Broward
County have told us that they measure success by whether the literacy training met the
goal of the student -- even if it the person has not completed all the studies necessary
to become literate. For example, if someone wants to be able to pass a driver’s test,
instruction can be based around that goal. Even if the person does not want to go on to
completing his or her high school education and obtaining a GED, this is not a failure.
Although obtaining a GED might be an excellent educational goal, it may not be the
immediate goal of the person entering literacy training. Achieving an obtainable goal can
provide impetus to achieve more and build successes.
Grassroots community work – Going into the
neighborhoods to solicit students one to one in community centers or in their homes is
effective.
Followup – establishing relationships with
students through followup phone calls, individual meetings to establish reading goals, and
making individual tutors available to work with adult students outside of class all help
to extend the commitment of students. Many who seek training have competing priorities of
family, financial worries, work schedules and health issues that make it difficult to
stick to what can be at minimum a year commitment or more to attain goals. |
