proposed redesign for literacy volunteers of america ...bmorris/cms.pdfproposed redesign for...

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Beverly Morris MSPTC 632 – Content Management Systems December 9, 2009

Proposed Redesign for Literacy Volunteers of America Website

Content Management Analysis

INTRODUCTION Literacy Volunteers of America – Essex and Passaic Counties (LVA-EP) is an actual organization that provides literacy services. For this exercise I propose updating the LVA-EP website content and establishing a Facebook presence. The content here is an amalgam of existing LVA-EP website content, text from other literacy sites, content from a recent LVA-EP newsletter, and additional text of my own. The content is marked up for management and publishing from a content management system (CMS). (It is recommended that this document be read in MS Word “Normal view” or “Web Layout View” to eliminate page breaks.) The first set of content includes the complete inventory of content components for use on both the website and the Facebook page. The second set isolates content for the website only, and the third contains content for Facebook. METHODOLOGY Based on my audience and task analyses, I Identified and prioritized 11 content types that are necessary to achieve the goal of expanding awareness of LVA-EP in the community and boosting their recruitment of tutors:

About Directions Contact Information Community Partners Programs Introduction Tutoring Image Files Frequently Asked Questions Functionality Literacy Data

I edited the content and segmented it into components to be stored in a single source repository. The content components presented here are tagged for use by an XML-based DITA CMS that will render the two publications—website and Facebook page. The content is marked up based on the following template:

<topic id=” “>

<title> </title>

<titlealts><searchtitle> </searchtitle></titlealts>

<prolog>

<author> </author>

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<acq_date> </acq_date>

<pub> </pub

<pub> </pub>

<user> </user>

</prolog>

<body> </body>

<related-links>

<link href=" .xml" scope=" ">

<linktext> </linktext>

</link>

</related-links>

</topic> KEY TO TERMS Topic ID ........................... Unique identifier Title ................................. Title of content component Titlealts-searchtitle .......... Searchable key words Prolog ............................. Metadata Author ............................. Source of content component Acq_date ......................... Date source was acquired Pub ................................. Publication type User ................................ Target audience Body ................................ Actual content (text, functionality, image) Related links ................... Links to other content Link href .......................... File name of content to be linked to Linktext............................ Text indicating hyperlink Web ................................ LVA-EP website Fb .................................... FaceBook Agent .............................. A person accessing the information on behalf of another Tutor ............................... Potential recruit for tutoring The content components and their corresponding identification tags and metadata elements will be represented as follows:

Topic ID

Topic Title

Search Title

Metadata Author, acquisition date, publication, user

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Related Links Href, scope, link text

Content

INVENTORY OF PROJECT CONTENT COMPONENTS

The following includes all of the content components proposed for both the LVA-EP web site and the Facebook page. ABOUT

Topic ID Lva-1

Topic Title About Us

Search Title About Literacy Volunteers America Essex Passaic

Metadata LVA-EP, 112309, web, tutor, agent

Related Links ”partners.xml”, local, ”Community_Partners“

”contact_info.xml”, local, ”Contact Information“

”family_literacy.xml”, local, ”Family Literacy Services”

”student_assessment.xml”, local, ”Student Assessment”

Content About Us

Literacy Volunteers of America, Essex & Passaic Counties (LVA-EP), is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping adults 16-years and older to improve their ability to read and write and/or to speak English. We offer free tutoring in Adult Basic Literacy and English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL). Last year we served more than 1,000 students.

LVA-EP believes that each adult student has an innate capacity to develop intellectually, socially, and emotionally and will develop at different rates. We pre-test students to assess their needs and post-test to monitor student performance (see Student Assessment Program).

We recruit and train volunteer tutors and provide them with continued in-service training. LVA-EP also conducts peer group seminars for students and tutors and provides ongoing communication with the communities it serves.

Once students have acquired the basic skills, knowledge of community resources, and life coping skills, they are better able to achieve their

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personal, educational, and career goals.

LVA-EP also provides free family literacy services to parents and care givers who need literacy training and whose children are experiencing learning difficulties in school.

LVA-EP believes that to achieve the highest level of success, it is important to provide each adult student with a supportive environment for learning. For this reason, a partnership between the community and LVA-EP is essential. Click here to see our list of community partners.

The work of LVA-EP is supported by funding from the New Jersey Department of Labor and the New Jersey Department of Education.

LVA-EP's main offices are located at Bloomfield College and the Passaic Public Library. Click here for contact information.

Topic ID Lva-2

Topic Title LVA-EP Short Description

Search Title Lva-3

Metadata Editor, 123009, fb, tutor, agent.

Related Links [” xml”, local, ” “

Content Literacy Volunteers of America – Essex and Passaic County is a non-profit organization that serves people in need of basic literacy skills and those wanting to learn English.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Topic ID Lva-4

Topic Title Contact Information

Search Title Contact Information


Related Links ”directions.xml”, local, link text=”Directions”

Content Bloomfield College 467 Franklin Street

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Bloomfield, NJ 07003 Phone: 973-680-0300 Fax : 973-680-1112 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Passaic Public Library 195 Gregory Avenue Passaic, NJ 0705 Phone: 973-470-0039 Fax : 973-470-0098 Email: [email protected] Directions

Topic ID Lva-5

Topic Title Tutor Contact Information

Search Title

Metadata LVA-EP, 112309, web, fb, tutor, agent.

Related Links ”tutor_regis_form.xml”, local, ”Apply online“

Content For information about becoming an LVA tutor, please call our Bloomfield, NJ office at (973) 680-0300 or send an e-mail to [email protected]. Apply Online

PROGRAMS

Topic ID Lva-6

Topic Title Student Assessment Program

Search Title

Metadata LVA-EP, 112309, web, tutor, agent.

Related Links

Content The LVA meets federal and state accountability standards through a testing program that is designed to improve the way we assess student needs and monitor student performance.

mailto:[email protected]



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The New Jersey Department of Labor, the agency that oversees adult literacy state grants, determined that specific tests must be used to meet federal requirements. These tests include, but are not limited to the Test of Adult Basic Education (T.A.B.E.) for those with limited reading skills and the Oral Best Interview for those with limited English speaking and listening skills.

Topic ID Lva-7

Topic Title Family Literacy

Search Title


Related Links

Content LVA-EP provides a comprehensive program in family literacy. We developed a family literacy model, Reading with Children (RWC), which is designed to complement existing adult literacy programs. RWC's target clients are pre-school and elementary school children, adults who read at low levels, and professional teaching staff. The RWC training model uses seven simple reading strategies that professional staff and parents are trained to use as they work together to teach children. These parents will eventually become motivated to participate as students in the basic literacy program or ESOL program of LVA-EP.

Topic ID Lva-8

Topic Title Free English Conversation Groups

Search Title English Conversation ESOL

Metadata LVA Talk, 120209, web, tutor, agent.

Related Links

Content Do You Need Help In Speaking and Understanding English?

LVA-EP offers Free English Conversation Group instruction by trained LVA tutors at the following locations: January 2, 2010 – June 30, 2010 East Orange Public Library (973-266-5600)

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Friday, 10 a.m. – 12L99 Noon 21 S. Arlington Ave. East Orange, NJ 07018 Hawthorne Public Library (973-427-5745) Wednesday, 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. 345 Lafayette Ave. Hawthorne, NJ 07506 Montclair Public Library (973-744-0500) Monday, 6:15 p.m. - 7:45 p.m. 50 S. Fullerton Avenue Montclair, NJ 07042 Nutley Public Library (973-667-0405) Wednesday, 10 a.m. - Noon 93 Booth Drive Nutley, NJ 07110 Passaic Public Library (973-470-0039) Thursday, 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. 195 Gregory Avenue Passaic NJ 07055

TUTORING

Topic ID Lva-9

Topic Title Tutoring 1

Search Title Tutor

Metadata LVA-EP, 112309, web, fb, tutor

Related Links

Content Become a literacy tutor. Share the gift of reading and speaking English. Several thousand residents in Essex and Passaic Counties cannot read or cannot speak English. As an LVA volunteer, you can help them achieve a more rewarding life through small group or one-on-one weekly tutoring in reading, writing, and speaking English.

Topic ID Lva-10

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Topic Title Tutoring 2

Search Title Tutor

Metadata LVA-EP, 112309, web, tutor

Related Links Tutor_story.xm., local, “Read one LVA-EP tutor’s story”

Content Reasons to become a tutor: Free training Literacy Volunteers of America provides workshops to prepare you to tutor. All books and materials are provided at no cost, and ongoing staff support is always available. LVA-EP invests in your ongoing development as a tutor by providing continued in-service training. Rewarding Work It is very satisfying to tutor these highly motivated students. Read one LVA-EP tutor’s story. Tutoring Time and Location You may select a time and meeting site that is convenient for you and your student. Students and tutors meet at public buildings, such as libraries, schools, churches, synagogues, etc. Requirements for Tutors You must be at least 18-years old and a high school graduate. We also ask for a bit of patience and a sense of humor. Knowledge of another language is NOT required to tutor ESOL students.

Topic ID Lva-11

Topic Title Tutor Training Workshops

Search Title


Related Links [”workshop_schedule.xml”, local, ”Tutor Training Workshops“

Content Tutor Training Workshops Register for one of LVA-EP's free 18-hour Tutor-Training Workshops that are offered throughout Essex and Passaic Counties. It costs only your time.

Topic ID Lva-12

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Topic Title Spring 2010 Tutor Training Workshops

Search Title Tutor Training Workshop


Related Links

Content Spring 2010 Workshops Schedule South Orange Public Library Feb. 27, Mar. 13, 20 & 27 (Saturdays), 12:00 – 4:30 pm 65 Scotland Road South Orange, NJ 07079 City of Clifton Mar. 20, 27, Apr. 3 & 17 (Saturdays), 12:00 – 4:30 pm 900 Clifton Avenue Clifton, NJ 07013 Bloomfield College Public Library – Shelby Art Room April. 5, 12, 19 & 26 (Mondays), 9:00 am – 1:30 pm 86 Oakland Ave., Bloomfield NJ 07003 Unitarian Universalist Congregation May 4, 6, 11, 13, 18 & 20 (Tuesdays/Thursdays), 1:00 – 4:00 pm 67 Church Street Montclair, NJ 07042

Topic ID Lva-13

Topic Title One LVA-PE Tutor’s Story

Search Title Tutor


Related Links

Content ONE LVA-PE TUTOR’S STORY Never Too Late by Donna Kusman When I first decided to tutor, I felt I needed to give back to the community—I was fortunate to have a good life, and volunteerism was a way to show my appreciation for being so blessed. How little then did I realize that tutoring was yet another gift bestowed on me, and while it

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is true that I was giving time and energy to someone, what I gained back equaled if not surpassed what I was giving out, truly. And that is because of my wonderful student, Moureen Hutchinson. Moureen and I have had our student-tutor relationship since October of 2004; frankly it would last indefinitely—until she felt she’d accomplished her goals—except that I have an opportunity to live and work in Europe that I’ve decided to pursue. In the last 3.5 years Moureen has taught me a few lessons—the skill of patience, the art of friendship, and the sheer joy of accomplishment. Had I learned those lessons before? Yes, and working with Moureen renewed them and made me appreciate the value of each a bit more keenly. I will miss our time together as I move to Europe, though I know we will be in touch and I will look forward to her written letters as much as I look forward to writing my own to her. Not a lesson went by where Moureen doesn’t implore me, “Have patience with me”! She thanks me profusely, of course, for each session we have. Her gratitude is so genuine that I am moved to sheer joy at having spent the time with her and done something “good” in my volunteerism. After every session I leave with my spirit heightened because Moureen has accomplished something in that session, recognized it, and recognized me for guiding her to that point. Moureen comes several hours early to devote time to reading or to assigned writing. She seems dedicated to making me proud, I know, by doing well. I smile broadly when I see her looking up a word in the dictionary or reading aloud in the library before our scheduled start time. This is the kind of student a tutor cannot believe has been assigned to them! In our time together I am proud to say that we have become friends; we share stories of our job, our lives, and our families. Moureen has helped me through one of the most difficult tragedies--losing a spouse--by being patient with me, by asking about my feelings, by respecting my privacy when I wasn’t able to talk. And, can you believe she’s even fed me? She came to my office one day with Jamaican specialties that she knew I loved (my husband and I frequented Negril and even got married there)—it was wonderful, and so thoughtful as to make me both smile and cry as I recount it now. I had not realized how much I enjoyed teaching, so much so that I am considering obtaining my master’s degree in Education, another gift from my relationship with my student. So, you tell me—who really is gaining more: student, or tutor? I know what my answer is.

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Topic ID Lva-14

Topic Title A Student’s Story

Search Title


Related Links

Content A Student’s Story: Compensating By Martin Green

The company I work for is constantly sending us to school to learn new technologies, having people come in to talk to us about brake systems, power steering systems, refrigeration--what have you. They tell us what we're supposed to look out for, how we're supposed to handle these things, and a lot of my co-workers take notes, but I can't write them. I have no idea how to change another person's thoughts into print because I don't know how to spell. So when I listen, I really have to concentrate on the person speaking. I can't be bothered with the other people in the room. I have to block everyone else's comments completely out of my mind and pay attention to the speaker so I'll be able to grasp everything. I've been working with most of those other mechanics for all these years and they still don't know I can't read. Sometimes I feel ashamed of it, and a lot of times it hurts.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Topic ID Lva-15

Topic Title Frequently Asked Questions

Search Title FAQ Frequently asked questions

Metadata Editor, 120309, web, tutor, agent

Related Links

Content Q. How old must students be to get tutoring help from LVA-EP? A. 16 years or older Q. How much does getting a tutor cost? A. LVA-EP tutoring services are free. Q. What if you don’t speak English?

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A. LVA tutors and ESOL facilitators are trained to English to speakers of other languages (ESOL) students to read, write and speak English.

Q. Who should I call to get a tutor for my friend or relative who needs

to learn how to read, write, and/or speak English? A. Call our Bloomfield office at (973)680-0300 or email

[email protected]. Q. Where can one who is learning English get practice speaking

English correctly? A. LVA-EP offers free English conversation groups led by trained

facilitators. Q. What are the requirements for becoming a tutor? A. You must be at least 18 years old and a high school graduate Q. Is the tutor training free. A. Yes. The 18 hour tutor training workshops are free and that

includes all books and materials. Q. Where do tutors work with students. A. Tutors may select a time and meeting place that is convenient for

them and their students. LVA-EP requires that students and tutors meet at public buildings, such as libraries, schools, churches, synagogues, etc.

Q. Do tutors have to speak the language of an ESOL student?

A. No, knowledge of another language is not required to tutor ESOL students.

LITERACY DATA

Topic ID Lva-16

Topic Title Definition of Literacy

Search Title Literacy, definition

Metadata Editor, 112309, web, fb, tutor, agent

Related Links [”literacy_health xml”, local, ”Literacy and Health

“literacy_prisons”, local, ”Illiteracy in Our Prisons”

”illiteracy_costs.xml”, local, ”The Costs of Illiteracy”

Content Literacy is the ability to read, write, compute, and use technology at a level that enables an individual to function in society, achieve their goals, and to reach their full potential as a parent, employee, and

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community member.

Nearly 25% of the population of the United States is functionally illiterate

Topic ID Lva-17

Topic Title Literacy Facts 1

Search Title Literacy, facts, statistics

Metadata http://lva.camden.lib.nj.us/facts.htm, 112309, web, tutor, agent




Content 23-29% of adults over 18 in Essex and Passaic Counties are either functionally illiterate or read below the second grade level. An estimated 1.4 million adults in New Jersey are functionally illiterate. 23% of the adult population of the U.S. cannot read and write English. 85% of juveniles brought before our courts and half of all prison inmates are illiterate. 75% of the unemployed have inadequate reading and writing skills. Children of illiterate parents face a higher than average risk that they, too, will be illiterate.

Topic ID Lva-18

Topic Title Literacy Facts 2

Search Title Literacy, facts

Metadata Proliteracy, 112309, web, tutor, agent




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Content There are 774 million adults around the world who are illiterate in their native languages.

Two-thirds of the world’s illiterate adults are women.

In the U.S., 30 million people over age 16—14 % of the country’s adult population—don’t read well enough to understand a newspaper story written at the eighth grade level or fill out a job application.

The United States ranks fifth in adult literacy skills when compared to other industrialized nations.

Topic ID Lva-19

Topic Title Literacy and Health

Search Title

Metadata LVA Talk, 120109, web, tutor, agent

Related Links “literacy_prisons”, local, ”Illiteracy in Our Prisons”


Content Literacy and Health Health literacy refers to the set of skills needed to read, understand, and act on basic health care information. Adults with low health literacy skills have limited ability to read and understand the instructions contained on prescriptions or medicine bottles, appointment slips, informed consent forms and health education materials. Among patients with inadequate health literacy skills, 81 percent could not read the rights and responsibilities section of a Medicaid application, 74 percent did not know if they were eligible for free care. Low health literacy skills increase annual health care expenditures by $73 billion. Center for Health Care

Topic ID Lva-20

Topic Title Literacy in Our Prisons

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Search Title


Related Links ”literacy_health xml”, local, ”Literacy and Health”

”illiteracy_costs.xml”, local, ”The Costs of Low Literacy”

Content Literacy in our Prisons Did you know that 70 percent of prisoners scored in the two lowest literacy levels of the National Adult Literacy Survey? This means that while they have some reading and writing skills, they are not adequately equipped to perform tasks like writing a letter, explaining an error on a credit card bill or understanding a bus schedule. A Virginia study found that out of a sample of 3,000 inmates, 49 Percent of those who did not participate in correctional education programs were re-incarcerated, compared to 20 percent of those who did participate in these programs. National Institute for Literacy

Topic ID Lva-21

Topic Title The Costs of Low Literacy

Search Title

Metadata Proliteracy, 112309, web, tutor, agent

Related Links ”literacy_health xml”, local, ”Literacy and Health

“prisons_illiteracy”, local, ”Illiteracy in Our Prisons”

Content Adult low literacy can be connected to almost every socio-economic issue in the United States:

More than 60 percent of all state and federal corrections inmates can barely read and write.

Low health literacy costs between $106 billion and $238 billion each year in the U.S. – 7 to 17 percent of all annual personal health care spending.

Low literacy’s effects cost the U.S. $225 billion or more each year in non-productivity in the workforce, crime, and loss of tax revenue due to unemployment.

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DIRECTIONS

Topic ID Lva-22

Topic Title Directions

Search Title Directions, Bloomfield, College, Passaic, Public, Library


Related Links

Content Directions to Bloomfield College From the North: Garden State Parkway South, to Exit 149. Turn left onto John F. Kennedy Memorial Drive. Proceed two blocks to traffic light. Turn right onto Liberty Street and proceed one block to the campus. From the South: Garden State Parkway North, to Exit 148. Continue north on John F. Kennedy Memorial Drive to 4th traffic light. Turn left onto Liberty Street and proceed two blocks to the campus. From the West: Route 78 East or Route 280 East to Garden State Parkway North, to Exit 148. Continue north on John F. Kennedy Memorial Drive to 4th traffic light. Turn left onto Liberty Street and proceed two blocks to the campus. From New York City and Points East: George Washington Bridge to Route 80 West or Lincoln Tunnel to Route 3 West, to Garden State Parkway South, to Exit 149. Turn left onto John F. Kennedy Memorial Drive. Proceed two blocks to traffic light. Turn right onto Liberty Street and proceed one block to the campus. Directions to Passaic Public Library Local: Take Route 21 North to River Drive for Passaic, exit 11A, turn right at stop sign. Take first left turn by car dealership and go over the overpass to traffic light. Continue straight up hill on Paulison Ave. Passaic High School will be on corner of Paulison Ave. and Passaic Ave. Turn right on the corner of Paulison Ave and Passaic Ave. go one block to Gregory Ave. Library will be on the corner on the right side next to the High School From the North Take Route 17 South to Route 3 West, go over the bridge and take Route 21 North. Follow Local directions above.

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From the South Take the Garden State parkway North to Exit 153 Route 3 East. Stay on Route 3 East to Route 21 North. Follow Local directions above. From the East Take Route 4 West bearing left as Route 4 West changes to Broadway. Continue on Broadway and turn right onto exit ramp for Route 20 South. Stay on Route 20 South, in left lane until Route 20 changes to Route 21 South. Stay on Route 21 South to River Drive. Take River Drive exit and follow the Local directions above. From the West Take Route 80 East to Route 17 South. Take Route 17 South to Route 3 West and follow Local directions above.

COMMUNITY PARTNERS

Topic ID Lva-23

Topic Title LVAEP Literacy Partners

Search Title Literacy, partners


Related Links http://www.bloomfield.edu/, external, “Bloomfield College”

http://www.passaicpubliclibrary.org/, external, “Passaic Public Library”

http://www.jvs.org/, external, “Jewish Vocational Services”

http://www.eopl.org/, external, “East Orange Library”

Content Bloomfield College Bloomfield Public Library Babyland Family Services Bernie Edmunson Adult School Clifton Public Library Community Hills Learning Center East Orange Public Library East Orange Public Schools Essex County College Essex County Workforce Inv Bd Essex County Vocational Schools FOCUS, Hispanic Community Ctr Haitian Center Hawthorne Public Library Hispanic Development Ctr, Nwk Ironbound Community Corp. Irvington Public Library Jewish Vocational Services

http://www.bloomfield.edu/

http://www.passaicpubliclibrary.org/

http://www.jvs.org/

http://www.eopl.org/

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La Casa de Don Pedro Lady Liberty Charter School LexisNexis of Newark Maplewood Public Library Montclair Public Library New Community Corp. Newark Public Schools Northern State Prison North Ward Center Nutley Public Library Orange Public Library Passaic County College Passaic County Jail Passaic County Technical Institute Passaic County Workforce Inv. Bd. Passaic Public Library Passaic Public Schools Paterson Public Schools Promise Community Indep. Corp. St. Mary’s Hospital S. Orange/Maplewood Adult Sch. Totowa Public Library

Topic ID Lva-24

Topic Title Adult Literacy Partnerships

Search Title Literacy, partners

Metadata LVA Talk, 120209, web, fb, tutor agent

Related Links ”Community_Partners”, local, “LVA-EP Community Partners”

Content Partnering with more than 40 agencies that provide literacy services, LVA ranks amongst the largest in the State of New Jersey in number of literacy staff (more than 300 tutors) and number of students served (more than 1000 per year).

INTRODUCTION

Topic ID Lva-25

Topic Title Introduction

Search Title Introduction

Metadata Editor, 113009, web, fb, tutor, agent

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Related Links ”student_story”, local, ”One Student’s Story”

Content What would you do if you could not read a book to your child or a note from her teacher? How would you get a job if you couldn’t fill out an application? How would you keep your job if you could not read instructions or training materials? How would you take your medicine correctly if you couldn’t read the prescription bottle?

How would you do these things if you were from another country and could not read, write or speak English?

IMAGE FILES

Topic ID Lva-26

Topic Title LVA Logo

Search Title

Metadata LVA Talk, 120209, web, fb, tutor, agent.

Related Links

Content Lva_logo.jpeg

Topic ID Lva-27-i

Topic Title These Hands

Search Title

Topic ID Lva-30

Topic Title Literacy Volunteers of America – Essex and Passaic Counties

Search Title

Metadata Editor, 120809, web, tutor, agent

Related Links

Content LVA-EP_Banner.jpeg

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Metadata LVAEP, 120209, web, tutor, agent.

Related Links

Content LVA%20Poster%201%20black8730.gif

Topic ID Lva-28-i

Topic Title These eyes

Search Title

Metadata LVAEP Talk, 120209, web, tutor, agent.

Related Links

Content LVA%20Poster%202%20black8730.gif

FUNCTIONALITY

Topic ID Lva-29-f

Topic Title Tutor Registration Form

Search Title


Related Links

Content [FUNCTIONALITY]

(Continued)

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Website Content

INTRODUCTION

What would you do if you could not read a book to your child or a note from her teacher? How would you get a job if you couldn’t fill out an application? How would you keep your job if you could not read instructions or training materials? How would you take your medicine correctly if you couldn’t read the prescription bottle?


One Man’s story

Compensating By Martin Green The company I work for is constantly sending us to school to learn new technologies, having people come in to talk to us about brake systems, power steering systems, refrigeration--what have you. They tell us what we're supposed to look out for, how we're supposed to handle these things, and a lot of my co-workers take notes, but I can't write them. I have no idea how to change another person's thoughts into print because I don't know how to spell. So when I listen, I really have to concentrate on the person speaking. I can't be bothered with the other people in the room. I have to block everyone else's comments completely out of my mind and pay attention to the speaker so I'll be able to grasp everything. I've been working with most of those other mechanics for all these years and they still don't know I can't read. Sometimes I feel ashamed of it, and a lot of times it hurts.

LITERACY FACTS

Literacy is the ability to read, write, compute, and use technology at a level that enables an individual to function in society, achieve their goals, and to reach their full potential as a parent, employee, and community member.

Nearly 25% of the population of the United States is functionally illiterate.

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23-29% of adults over 18 in Essex and Passaic Counties are either functionally illiterate or read below the second grade level.

An estimated 1.4 million adults in New Jersey are functionally illiterate.

23% of the adult population of the U.S. cannot read and write English.

85% of juveniles brought before our courts and half of all prison inmates are illiterate.

75% of the unemployed have inadequate reading and writing skills.

Children of illiterate parents face a higher than average risk that they, too, will be illiterate.

There are 774 million adults around the world who are illiterate in their native languages.

Two-thirds of the world’s illiterate adults are women.

In the U.S., 30 million people over age 16—14 % of the country’s adult population—don’t read well enough to understand a newspaper story written at the eighth grade level or fill out a job application.

The United States ranks fifth in adult literacy skills when compared to other industrialized nations.

Literacy and Health

Health literacy refers to the set of skills needed to read, understand, and act on basic health care information. Adults with low health literacy skills have limited ability to read and understand the instructions contained on prescriptions or medicine bottles, appointment slips, informed consent forms and health education materials. Among patients with inadequate health literacy skills, 81 percent could not read the rights and responsibilities section of a Medicaid application, 74 percent did not know if they were eligible for free care. Low health literacy skills increase annual health care expenditures by $73 billion.

Center for Health Care

Literacy in our Prisons

Did you know that 70 percent of prisoners scored in the two lowest literacy levels of the National Adult Literacy Survey? This means that while they have some reading and

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writing skills, they are not adequately equipped to perform tasks like writing a letter, explaining an error on a credit card bill or understanding a bus schedule. A Virginia study found that out of a sample of 3,000 inmates, 49 Percent of those who did not participate in correctional education programs were re-incarcerated, compared to 20 percent of those who did participate in these programs.

National Institute for Literacy

The Costs of Low Literacy

Adult low literacy can be connected to almost every socio-economic issue in the United States:

More than 60 percent of all state and federal corrections inmates can barely read and write.

Low health literacy costs between $106 billion and $238 billion each year in the U.S. – 7 to 17 percent of all annual personal health care spending.

Low literacy’s effects cost the U.S. $225 billion or more each year in non-productivity in the workforce, crime, and loss of tax revenue due to unemployment.

ABOUT US

Literacy Volunteers of America, Essex & Passaic Counties (LVA-EP), is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping adults 16-years and older to improve their ability to read and write and/or to speak English. We offer free tutoring in Adult Basic Literacy and English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL). Last year we served more than 1,000 students.

LVA-EP believes that each adult student has an innate capacity to develop intellectually, socially, and emotionally and will develop at different rates. We pre-test students to assess their needs and post-test to monitor student performance (see Student Assessment Program).

We recruit and train volunteer tutors and provide them with continued in-service training. LVA-EP also conducts peer group seminars for students and tutors and provides ongoing communication with the communities it serves.

Once students have acquired the basic skills, knowledge of community resources, and life coping skills, they are better able to achieve their personal, educational, and career goals.

LVA-EP also provides free family literacy services to parents and care givers who need literacy training and whose children are experiencing learning difficulties in school.

LVA-EP believes that to achieve the highest level of success, it is important to provide each adult student with a supportive environment for learning. For this reason, a partnership between the community and LVA-EP is essential. See our list of community partners.

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The work of LVA-EP is supported by funding from the New Jersey Department of Labor and the New Jersey Department of Education.

LVA-EP's main offices are located at Bloomfield College and the Passaic Public Library. Go to contact information.

CONTACT INFORMATION Bloomfield College 467 Franklin Street Bloomfield, NJ 07003 Phone: 973-680-0300 Fax : 973-680-1112 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Passaic Public Library 195 Gregory Avenue Passaic, NJ 0705 Phone: 973-470-0039 Fax : 973-470-0098 Email: [email protected]

Directions

Directions

Directions to Bloomfield College From the North: Garden State Parkway South, to Exit 149. Turn left onto John F. Kennedy Memorial Drive. Proceed two blocks to traffic light. Turn right onto Liberty Street and proceed one block to the campus. From the South: Garden State Parkway North, to Exit 148. Continue north on John F. Kennedy Memorial Drive to 4th traffic light. Turn left onto Liberty Street and proceed two blocks to the campus. From the West: Route 78 East or Route 280 East to Garden State Parkway North, to Exit 148. Continue north on John F. Kennedy Memorial Drive to 4th traffic light. Turn left onto Liberty Street and proceed two blocks to the campus. From New York City and Points East: George Washington Bridge to Route 80 West or Lincoln Tunnel to Route 3 West, to Garden State Parkway South, to Exit 149. Turn left onto John F. Kennedy Memorial



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Drive. Proceed two blocks to traffic light. Turn right onto Liberty Street and proceed one block to the campus. Directions to Passaic Public Library Local: Take Route 21 North to River Drive for Passaic, exit 11A, turn right at stop sign. Take first left turn by car dealership and go over the overpass to traffic light. Continue straight up hill on Paulison Ave. Passaic High School will be on corner of Paulison Ave. and Passaic Ave. Turn right on the corner of Paulison Ave and Passaic Ave. go one block to Gregory Ave. Library will be on the corner on the right side next to the High School From the North Take Route 17 South to Route 3 West, go over the bridge and take Route 21 North. Follow Local directions above. From the South Take the Garden State parkway North to Exit 153 Route 3 East. Stay on Route 3 East to Route 21 North. Follow Local directions above. From the East Take Route 4 West bearing left as Route 4 West changes to Broadway. Continue on Broadway and turn right onto exit ramp for Route 20 South. Stay on Route 20 South, in left lane until Route 20 changes to Route 21 South. Stay on Route 21 South to River Drive. Take River Drive exit and follow the Local directions above. From the West Take Route 80 East to Route 17 South. Take Route 17 South to Route 3 West and follow Local directions above.

PROGRAMS

Student Assessment Program

The LVA meets federal and state accountability standards through a testing program that is designed to improve the way we assess student needs and monitor student performance. The New Jersey Department of Labor, the agency that oversees adult literacy state grants, determined that specific tests must be used to meet federal requirements. These tests include, but are not limited to the Test of Adult Basic Education (T.A.B.E.) for those with limited reading skills and the Oral Best Interview for those with limited English speaking and listening skills.

Family Literacy Program

LVA-EP provides a comprehensive program in family literacy. We developed a family literacy model, Reading with Children (RWC), which is designed to complement existing adult literacy programs. RWC's target clients are pre-school and elementary school

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children, adults who read at low levels, and professional teaching staff. The RWC training model uses seven simple reading strategies that professional staff and parents are trained to use as they work together to teach children. These parents will eventually become motivated to participate as students in the basic literacy program or ESOL program of LVA-EP.

English Conversation Groups

Do You Need Help In Speaking and Understanding English?

LVA-EP offers Free English Conversation Group instruction by trained LVA tutors at the following locations: January 2, 2010 – June 30, 2010 East Orange Public Library (973-266-5600) Friday, 10 a.m. – 12L99 Noon 21 S. Arlington Ave. East Orange, NJ 07018 Hawthorne Public Library (973-427-5745) Wednesday, 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. 345 Lafayette Ave. Hawthorne, NJ 07506 Montclair Public Library (973-744-0500) Monday, 6:15 p.m. - 7:45 p.m. 50 S. Fullerton Avenue Montclair, NJ 07042 Nutley Public Library (973-667-0405) Wednesday, 10 a.m. - Noon 93 Booth Drive Nutley, NJ 07110 Passaic Public Library (973-470-0039) Thursday, 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. 195 Gregory Avenue Passaic NJ 07055

TUTORING

Become a Literacy Tutor

Share the gift of reading and speaking English. Several thousand residents in Essex and Passaic Counties cannot read or cannot speak English. As an LVA volunteer, you can help them achieve a more rewarding life through small group or one-on-one weekly tutoring in reading, writing, and speaking English.

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Reasons to become a tutor:

Free training Literacy Volunteers of America provides workshops to prepare you to tutor. All books and materials are provided at no cost, and ongoing staff support is always available. LVA-EP invests in your ongoing development as a tutor by providing continued in-service training.

Rewarding Work It is very satisfying to tutor these highly motivated students. Read one LVA-EP tutor’s story.

Tutoring Time and Location You may select a time and meeting site that is convenient for you and your student. Students and tutors meet at public buildings, such as libraries, schools, churches, synagogues, etc.

Requirements for Tutors

You must be at least 18-years old and a high school graduate. We also ask for a bit of patience and a sense of humor. Knowledge of another language is NOT required to tutor ESOL students. For information about becoming an LVA tutor, please call our Bloomfield, NJ office at (973) 680-0300 or send an e-mail to [email protected]. Apply online

Tutor Training Workshops

Register for one of LVA-EP's 18-hour Tutor-Training Workshops that are offered throughout Essex and Passaic Counties. It costs only your time. Spring 2010 Workshops Schedule South Orange Public Library Feb. 27, Mar. 13, 20 & 27 (Saturdays), 12:00 – 4:30 pm 65 Scotland Road South Orange, NJ 07079 City of Clifton Mar. 20, 27, Apr. 3 & 17 (Saturdays), 12:00 – 4:30 pm 900 Clifton Avenue Clifton, NJ 07013


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Bloomfield College Public Library – Shelby Art Room April. 5, 12, 19 & 26 (Mondays), 9:00 am – 1:30 pm 86 Oakland Ave., Bloomfield NJ 07003 Unitarian Universalist Congregation May 4, 6, 11, 13, 18 & 20 (Tuesdays/Thursdays), 1:00 – 4:00 pm 67 Church Street Montclair, NJ 07042

One LVA-PE Tutor’s Story

Never Too Late by Donna Kusman When I first decided to tutor, I felt I needed to give back to the community—I was fortunate to have a good life, and volunteerism was a way to show my appreciation for being so blessed. How little then did I realize that tutoring was yet another gift bestowed on me, and while it is true that I was giving time and energy to someone, what I gained back equaled if not surpassed what I was giving out, truly. And that is because of my wonderful student, Moureen Hutchinson. Moureen and I have had our student-tutor relationship since October of 2004; frankly it would last indefinitely—until she felt she’d accomplished her goals—except that I have an opportunity to live and work in Europe that I’ve decided to pursue. In the last 3.5 years Moureen has taught me a few lessons—the skill of patience, the art of friendship, and the sheer joy of accomplishment. Had I learned those lessons before? Yes, and working with Moureen renewed them and made me appreciate the value of each a bit more keenly. I will miss our time together as I move to Europe, though I know we will be in touch and I will look forward to her written letters as much as I look forward to writing my own to her. Not a lesson went by where Moureen doesn’t implore me, “Have patience with me”! She thanks me profusely, of course, for each session we have. Her gratitude is so genuine that I am moved to sheer joy at having spent the time with her and done something “good” in my volunteerism. After every session I leave with my spirit heightened because Moureen has accomplished something in that session, recognized it, and recognized me for guiding her to that point. Moureen comes several hours early to devote time to reading or to assigned writing. She seems dedicated to making me proud, I know, by doing well. I smile broadly when I see her looking up a word in the dictionary or reading aloud in the library before our scheduled start time. This is the kind of student a tutor cannot believe has been assigned to them! In our time together I am proud to say that we have become friends; we share stories of our job, our lives, and our families. Moureen has helped me through one of the most difficult tragedies--losing a spouse--by being patient with me, by asking about my feelings, by respecting my privacy when I wasn’t able to talk. And, can you believe she’s

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even fed me? She came to my office one day with Jamaican specialties that she knew I loved (my husband and I frequented Negril and even got married there)—it was wonderful, and so thoughtful as to make me both smile and cry as I recount it now. I had not realized how much I enjoyed teaching, so much so that I am considering obtaining my master’s degree in Education, another gift from my relationship with my student. So, you tell me—who really is gaining more: student, or tutor? I know what my answer is.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS Q. How old must students be to get tutoring help from LVA-EP? A. 16 years or older Q. How much does getting a tutor cost? A. LVA-EP tutoring services are free. Q. What if you don’t speak English? A. LVA tutors and ESOL facilitators are trained to English to speakers of other

languages (ESOL) students to read, write and speak English. Q. Who should I call to get a tutor for my friend or relative who needs to learn how to

read, write, and/or speak English? A. Call our Bloomfield office at (973)680-0300 or email [email protected]. Q. Where can one who is learning English get practice speaking English correctly? A. LVA-EP offers free English conversation groups led by trained facilitators. Q. What are the requirements for becoming a tutor? A. You must be at least 18 years old and a high school graduate Q. Is the tutor training free. A. Yes. The 18 hour tutor training workshops are free and that includes all books and

materials. Q. Where do tutors work with students. A. Tutors may select a time and meeting place that is convenient for them and their

students. LVA-EP requires that students and tutors meet at public buildings, such as libraries, schools, churches, synagogues, etc.

Q. Do tutors have to speak the language of an ESOL student? A. No, knowledge of another language is not required to tutor ESOL students.

COMMUNITY PARTNERS

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Partnering with more than 40 agencies that provide literacy services, LVA ranks amongst the largest in the State of New Jersey in number of literacy staff (more than 300 tutors) and number of students served (more than 1000 per year). Bloomfield College Bloomfield Public Library Babyland Family Services Bernie Edmunson Adult School Clifton Public Library Community Hills Learning Center East Orange Public Library East Orange Public Schools Essex County College Essex County Workforce Inv Bd Essex County Vocational Schools FOCUS, Hispanic Community Ctr Haitian Center Hawthorne Public Library Hispanic Development Ctr, Nwk Ironbound Community Corp. Irvington Public Library Jewish Vocational Services La Casa de Don Pedro Lady Liberty Charter School LexisNexis of Newark Maplewood Public Library Montclair Public Library New Community Corp. Newark Public Schools Northern State Prison North Ward Center Nutley Public Library Orange Public Library Passaic County College Passaic County Jail Passaic County Technical Institute Passaic County Workforce Inv. Bd. Passaic Public Library Passaic Public Schools Paterson Public Schools Promise Community Indep. Corp. St. Mary’s Hospital S. Orange/Maplewood Adult Sch. Totowa Public Library

http://www.bloomfield.edu/

http://www.eopl.org/

http://www.jvs.org/

http://www.passaicpubliclibrary.org/

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IMAGES

FUNCTIONALITY

LITERACY VOLUNTEERS OF AMERICA

Newark/Essex County

TUTOR REGISTRATION FORM

DATE OF REGISTRATION:

Using scroll bars below, select "Month" and "Day of Month"

Month,

Day, 2004

TYPE OF WORKSHOP:

Click in the "checkbox" to the right of the "TYPE OF WORKSHOP" you will be attending

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Basic Literacy: .............ESOL:

WORKSHOP LOCATION/DATE YOU WILL ATTEND:

Location:

Date:.......

PERSONAL INFORMATION:

Enter "PERSONAL INFORMATION" requested below

Name:

Male: .................Female:

Street Address:

City:.................

State:............... Zip:

Home Phone:.....

Business Phone:

Email Address:..

Social Security # (last 4 digits):

Occupation:

Employer:...

Ethnic Background:

Year of Birth:.....

OTHER INFORMATION

Transportation (car/public):

Affiliation (if applicable):....

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How did you learn about LVA?:

EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND:

Education Level:

Using scroll bars below, select "Education Level" that you attained.

Education Level

Teaching Experience:

Using scroll bars below, select "Grade Level" that you have teaching experience in.

Grade Level

TUTORING PREFERENCES:

Student (age, sex, etc.) ...............

Time (days, evenings, weekends)

Location .....................................

Send to LVA....

Clear Form

(Continued)

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Facebook Content

INFORMATION (Left Panel) Literacy Volunteers of America – Essex and Passaic County is a non-profit organization that serves people in need of basic literacy skills and those wanting to learn English.

Partnering with more than 40 agencies that provide literacy services, LVA ranks among the largest in the State of New Jersey in number of literacy staff (more than 300 tutors) and number of students served (more than 1000 per year).

Contact Us


Nearly 25% of the population of the United States is functionally illiterate

INFO (Tab)

What would you do if you could not read a book to your child or a note from her teacher? How would you get a job if you couldn’t fill out an application? How would you keep your job if you could not read instructions or training materials? How would you take your medicine correctly if you couldn’t read the prescription bottle?



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Nearly 25% of the population of the United States is functionally illiterate Literacy Volunteers of America – Essex and Passaic County is a non-profit organization that serves people in need of basic literacy skills and those wanting to learn English.

Partnering with more than 40 agencies that provide literacy services, LVA ranks among the largest in the State of New Jersey in number of literacy staff (more than 300 tutors) and number of students served (more than 1000 per year).

Contact Us

Become a Literacy Tutor Share the gift of reading and speaking English. Several thousand residents in Essex and Passaic Counties cannot read or cannot speak English. As an LVA volunteer, you can help them achieve a more rewarding life through small group or one-on-one weekly tutoring in reading, writing, and speaking English. Register for one of LVA-EP's free 18-hour Tutor-Training Workshops that are offered throughout Essex and Passaic Counties. It costs only your time. For information about becoming an LVA tutor, please call our Bloomfield, NJ office at (973) 680-0300 or send an e-mail to [email protected]. Apply Online Tutor Training Workshops Frequently Asked Questions

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Resources

Literacy Volunteers of America – Camden County, NJ. November 2009.

<http://lva.camden.lib.nj.us/default.htm>. Literacy Volunteers of America – Essex and Passaic Counties. November 2009.

<www.lvanewark.org>. Literacy Volunteers of America – Essex and Passaic Counties. LVA Talk. October 2009. Oasis. 2005. December 2009. <http://docs.oasis-

open.org/dita/v1.0/langspec/prolog2.html>. Proliteracy. 2008. November 2009.

<http://207.10.202.151/NetCommunity/Page.aspx?pid=191&srcid=345>.

http://www.lvanewark.org/

http://docs.oasis-open.org/dita/v1.0/langspec/prolog2.html

http://docs.oasis-open.org/dita/v1.0/langspec/prolog2.html

http://207.10.202.151/NetCommunity/Page.aspx?pid=191&srcid=345