Planning an Adult Literacy Program

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Planning an Adult Literacy Program
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Components of adult literacy

• Reading
• Writing
• Math
• English as a Second or Other Language (ESOL)
• Cultural literacy

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Why start an adult literacy program?

• Community need
• Economic concerns
• Immigration
• Children's education
• Health issues
• Quality of life

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A literacy program as part of a larger initiative

• Violence prevention
• Substance abuse prevention
• Community health
• Voter registration
• Economic development
• Job training
• Education
• Specific early childhood or school-based
  initiatives
• Anti-poverty

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How do you plan an adult literacy program?
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Step 1 Assemble a planning team

• Encourage participation of
• Local government
• Libraries
• Human service providers
• Schools
• Law enforcement

• Health providers
• Employers
• Labor unions
• etc...

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Step 2 Assess the need

• Explore sources of information
• Census data and other statistical records
• School systems
• Human service agencies and health providers
• Community focus groups
• Key individuals and pre-existing formal or
  informal groups rooted in the community

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Step 3 Design a program to meet the demand.

• What services will the program provide, and to
  whom?
• What entity will run the program?
• Federal government
• State agencies
• Local governments
• National organizations
• Community based organizations
• Employers
• Public higher education
• Schools or education partnerships

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Step 3 Design a program to meet the demand.
(cont.)

• What are the program's educational assumptions?
• How will the program view students?
• What will take place in the classroom?
• Will the program be staffed by professionals or
  volunteers?
• Volunteer programs
• How will you evaluate the program?

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Step 3 Design a program to meet the demand.
(cont.)

• How will the program be funded?
• Public money
• Foundation money
• Community funds
• Fundraising
• Memberships
• Endowment
• For-profit arm of the organization