Literacy – Spanning the US :: Lubbock TX :: Coatesville PA :: Newport OR

Literacy In The News :: Spanning the US

Literacy Lubbock

Service Organizations Continue To Help Community During COVID-19
Daily Toreador: 3.17.2021 by Madeleine Hall

COVID-19 caused a shift in everyday routines for everyone, but in the midst of tough times, service organizations in Lubbock adapted to continue to provide for the community.

One organization that changed pace during the pandemic is Literacy Lubbock, a volunteer-based organization offering programs such as GED and other high school equivalency test prep, English as a Second Language programs, early childhood and family literacy education and adult education.

With the issue of illiteracy not going anywhere, Elizabeth Laughlin, the director of operations and development at Literacy Lubbock, said the organization worked hard to evolve to meet the needs of the community.

“Lubbock County has an illiteracy rate of 13 percent, which means one in eight people are illiterate in the Lubbock area alone,” Laughlin said. “That’s staggering, so we suddenly had to come up with an entirely new system (when COVID-19 hit) to ensure that our students were still getting the education they wanted.”  READ MORE ➤➤

 

Automatic Readability Checker

Based on 7 readability formulas:

Grade Level: 15

Reading Level: difficult to read.

Reader's Age: College graduate

 

@ChesCoOIC

Pandemic Creates Need For Tutors At Adult Literacy Program
Daily Local: 3.18.2021 by Fran Maye

During the pandemic, the Adult Literacy Program based in Exton has seen demand for its services grow so quickly, there is a deep shortage of volunteer tutors. And without tutors, students who need to get their GED or to learn the English language to get jobs must wait until more tutors become available.

"We currently have 38 pairs working virtually together but have a long list of students waiting for a tutor," said Debbie Rikess, the Adult Tutoring Program Coordinator for Chester County OIC, an adult literacy program that serves Chester County. The program has a long-standing partnership with the Chester County Library in Exton.

The waiting list exceeds 40 people. The program, which is free and receives funding from the state, is currently all virtual, eliminating the need for Rikess to place volunteer tutors in close proximity with their students. But as the county gradually eases out of the pandemic, there could be individualized one-on-one instruction later this year.  READ MORE ➤➤

 

Automatic Readability Checker

Based on 7 readability formulas:Grade Level: 12

Reading Level: difficult to read.

Reader's Age: 17-18 yrs. old

(Twelfth graders)

 

Shangri-La

Literacy Is A Matter Of Life And Death, Happiness Or Penury
Newport News Times: 3.18.2021 by Paul Haeder, Shangri-La employment counselor

I used to get my elbows up into many literacy projects as an English and writing faculty member at community colleges, universities, prison school programs and writing/journalism workshops for people who are exploited because of their status as low income or as former felons, and those homeless citizens as well as adults living with developmental and intellectual disabilities.

Events like “Banned Books Month” (October) or National Poetry Month (April) I worked hard to promote/support. Big journalism organizations like Project Censored and groups like Reporters without Borders are still in my blood.

I am now working again in a small rural community dotted with small towns. I am not only supporting folks with job development and on-the-job training and coaching, but I am helping two Lincoln County citizens with reading literacy.

In my situation with Shangri-La, these two are adult men in their 30s who are seeking reading literacy programs.

It may come as a surprise to citizens, lawmakers and politicians alike, but Lincoln County does not have a literacy center. There is no one-stop place for people who need literacy tutoring, whether they are functionally illiterate in their English skills as a U.S.-born citizen, or those who are English as a second/third language learners.  READ MORE ➤➤

 

Automatic Readability Checker

Based on 7 readability formulas:

Grade Level: 13

Reading Level: difficult to read.

Reader's Age: 18-19 yrs. old

(college level entry)

Urge Members of Congress to #FundLibraries in FY2022 !

Urge your Members of Congress to #FundLibraries in FY2022!

Please ask that they sign onto 

the Dear Appropriator letters for the LSTA and IAL

American Library Association Action Center: March 2021

#FundLibraries Campaign

President Biden is expected to soon submit an outline of his proposed budget spending requests for Fiscal Year (FY) 2022, which includes federal funding amounts for libraries.

We need your help NOW until the final budget is signed in order to ensure that libraries are fully funded in the next fiscal year.

ALA has launched our annual FY2022 #FundLibraries Campaign, and we encourage you to bookmark this page and browse the provided resources that can be shared amongst your library community. Included is the one-page introduction to federal library funding, state-by-state library factsheets to share with your elected officials, and a handy visual guide on the overall federal appropriations process.

Because things are a bit different this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the recent passage of the American Rescue Plan Act, the Dear Appropriator letters have begun circulating this week in both the House and Senate, a few weeks later than in previous years.

For FY2022, we are asking congressional appropriators to include funding

➤ at least $206 million for the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA)

➤ $50 million for the Innovative Approaches to Literacy (IAL) grant program. 

Will you contact your members of Congress and ask them to sign onto the Dear Appropriator letters?  READ MORE ➤➤

Find Your Elected Officials

Automatic Readability Checker

Based on 7 readability formulas:

Grade Level: 15

Reading Level: difficult to read.

Reader's Age: College graduate

National Literacy & Library Events ▬ April 2021

 

National Literacy & Library Events

April 2021

 

 

Literacy & Library Events & Conferences

Events-National & International Events

Events-International: Language Magazine

Financial Literacy Month

Global Volunteer Month

National Poetry Month

School Library Month

 

Apr. 01      International Edible Book Festival - Books2Eat
Apr. 01      Value of Play VIRTUAL Thru June 1
Apr. 02      International Children's Book Day
Apr. 04      Museum Day
Apr. 04      National Library Week: Welcome to Your Library
Apr. 06      National Library Workers Day
Apr. 06      Spring Book & Author Festival VIRTUAL
Apr. 07      National Library Outreach Day
Apr. 08      Am Educational Research Assc Conf VIRTUAL
Apr. 08      AOTA Conference & Expo VIRTUAL Thru June 1
Apr. 09      Color of Children's Literature Conf VIRTUAL
Apr. 09      Orton Gillingham Conference VIRTUAL
Apr. 10      Money Smart Week
Apr. 12      Drop Everything & Read Day
Apr. 16      Plain Language for Health Online VIRTUAL
Apr. 17      Haiku Poetry Day
Apr. 19      Overview of Orton Gillingham Approach OnLine
Apr. 19      NCTE Leadership & Advocacy Summit VIRTUAL
Apr. 19      Special Ed Law and Dyslexia OnLine
Apr. 20      Head Start Conference VIRTUAL
Apr. 23      World Book and Copyright Day
Apr. 23      World Book Night
Apr. 24      Antiracist Book Festival VIRTUAL
Apr. 26      Introduction to Structured Word Inquiry OnLine
Apr. 27      BOOST Conference VIRTUAL
Apr. 27      Tell a Story Day
Apr. 28      Florida Literacy Conference VIRTUAL
Apr. 28      NABE Conference Houston TX OnLine
Apr. 28      Great Poetry Reading Day
Apr. 29      Virginia Hamilton Conf Multicultural Lit for Youth
Apr. 30      Dia: El día de los niños/El día de los libros
                  Díapalooza @ Public and School Libraries
Apr. 30      Poem in Your Pocket Day

State Library Associations :: Conferences

African American Book Events

Book Fairs by State Library of Congress

Children’s Book Council Kid Lit Events

College Children’s & Young Adult Literature Conferences Festivals

Everfest Book Festival Calendar

ILA :: Literacy Calendar Worldwide

Storytelling Events

US Book Festivals

Literacy – Spanning the US :: Elkhart IN :: Greenfield MA :: Santa Barbara CA :: Florence SC

Literacy In The News :: Spanning the US

Project Scope

Nonprofit Opens Doors To Men Seeking Help Following Incarceration
ABC 57: 3.15.2021 by Mary Caltrider

“Elkhart Indiana incarcerates a lot of men and women per capita probably a lot more than other cities, and there is a lot of jobs here, so upon release a lot of men do not have the structure or encouragement or support to be successful,” says Derrick Mathews, Director of Project Scope. 

Project Scope was established in 1996 as an after-school mentorship program for kids. Now, the Elkhart nonprofit is taking on a new mission. The organization, opening up a transitional house for men. The home, just one of two, transitional houses available in Elkhart county. Residents are welcomed to stay in the house for 9 to 18 months where they are welcomed to shelter, food and security.

The organization also offering them personal finance courses, social skills, and adult literacy to provide the foundation for men to transition back into the community.

“These are your neighbors, these are the same individuals who have done their time, have paid their debt to society, and they are returning back to society and they are going to be big impacts ya know these are the brothers, uncles, fathers who are coming back to the community that can share their story of their success in their lives to be able to help out the next generation and generations to come,” says Matthews.  WATCH  02:28

 

Automatic Readability Checker

Based on 7 readability formulas:

Grade Level: 13

Reading Level: difficult to read.

Reader's Age: 18-19 yrs. old

(college level entry)

 

The Literacy Project

State Education Department Recognizes The Literacy Project’s Programs As ‘Exemplary’
Recorder: 3.15.2021 by Anita Fritz

Many aspects of The Literacy Project’s adult education programs received an “exemplary” rating in a recent quality review conducted by the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE).

The Literacy Project, which is based out of 15 Bank Row in Greenfield but also has classrooms in Orange, Amherst, Northampton and Ware, serves adult students who need a second chance to earn their high school equivalency diploma. All classes are free and open to the public.

Executive Director Judith Roberts said the program quality review was conducted by DESE’s Adult Community Learning Services, the division that funds adult basic education programs across the state. She said the review is done every five years, and it is “crucial” to funding.

“We are delighted that DESE recognized the dedication to teaching and learning that everyone at The Literacy Project shares,” Roberts said. “The success of our students is at the center of everything we do.”  READ MORE ➤➤

 

Automatic Readability Checker

Based on 7 readability formulas:

Grade Level: 12

Reading Level: difficult to read.

Reader's Age: 17-18 yrs. old

(Twelfth graders)

 

@SBPLSystem

The Challenges — and Successes — of Learning English Remotely
SB Independent: 3.16.2021 by Leslie Dinaberg

Admiring Adult Literacy Programs at the Santa Barbara Public Library

Pivoting, but still paving the way to knowledge, despite budget cuts and so many services shut down during the pandemic, the Santa Barbara Public Library’s Adult Education Programs have found creative ways to provide service during the past year. I recently joined the City Library Advisory Board and was impressed with all of the free programs they still offer, despite their physical doors being closed to the public.

Headed by Devon Cahill, an adult education librarian and former volunteer tutor, the Adult Literacy Program trains volunteers to work one-to-one with learners to help them achieve language literacy and other adult education goals. Prior to the pandemic, the tutor-learner pairs would meet up at the library to work on their language skills together. Since last spring, they’ve switched to 100 percent remote and have about 50 tutor-learner pairs working together.

Though it’s challenging, Cahill said that pandemic learning has been a success. Grants provided funding for Chromebooks and Wi-Fi hotspots for those that needed them. “Our success rate normally is over 90 percent with learners reaching the literacy goals that they have set,” he said. “During the pandemic, we’re working with fewer learners and tutors, but our success rate has gone almost up to 100 percent —it was at 98 percent last quarter.”  READ MORE ➤➤

 

Automatic Readability Checker

Based on 7 readability formulas:

Grade Level: 12

Reading Level: difficult to read.

Reader's Age: 17-18 yrs. old

(Twelfth graders)

 

Florence Area Literacy

Adult Literacy Center Still Combating Illiteracy During COVID
Everyday Life News: 2021

The county has about 138,000 residents, but 33% of the adults in the county are functionally illiterate and do not read above a 5th grade level.

Florence Area Literacy Council combats that by providing one-on-one tutoring to the adults in the county, but COVID is not making it easy.

Executive Director of the Florence Area Literacy, Christina Lawson, said when students come to FALC, they are working towards taking the GED test.

“Our average student probably reads on a third or fourth grade level,” she said.

Lawson said reading levels vary. She said typically a student cannot pass the GED test if they are reading at a fifth grade level, but for the test they need to read at least on a 10th grade level.

While reading levels may vary, in order to pass the GED test, students have to study English/Language Arts, Math, Science and Social Studies.

Lawson explained students come to FALC for other reasons as well.

“We have students who come to us who already have a high school diploma, but are working towards getting a new job,” she said. “A lot of jobs require testing before you are interviewed or hired.”  READ MORE ➤➤

 

Automatic Readability Checker

Based on 7 readability formulas:

Grade Level: 9

Reading Level: standard / average.

Reader's Age: 13-15 yrs. old

(Eighth and Ninth graders)

THE READING GAP Documentary ▬ John Corcoran Foundation

THE READING GAP

@JCFliteracy

John Corcoran Foundation: 1.17.2021

An Open Letter From John Corcoran

My years of passion and advocacy for literacy have great meaning to me. After all these years, I still can't stop advocating and working to change things so other little boys and little girls don't suffer unnecessarily like I did.

Recently I've been involved in planning for this literacy documentary that will include my story.  Having 65% of 4th graders in the US lacking proficiency in literacy is a national shame. We have a superstar line up of experts to interview, tasked with outlining the problem and solution. Educators who have shown the kinds of gains that are possible and former/current struggling readers have committed to participate too. This monumental project has the potential to change the face of literacy in our country and beyond!

We are currently working to raise funds for this film and, along with your moral support, would appreciate any donation to the project if you feel moved to do so. Your enthusiasm, energy, and willingness to help us spread the word about his film would also be greatly appreciated! Together, we can make a significant difference.

Here is a 1 minute video that will give you a glimpse of the work of Nick Nanton, the film's superstar Emmy award winning director and producer.  WATCH 03:37

Automatic Readability Checker

Based on 7 readability formulas:

Grade Level: 11

Reading Level: fairly difficult to read.

Reader's Age: 15-17 yrs. old

(Tenth to Eleventh graders)

 

Advocating for Literacy Access in the Fight for Equity and Justice ▬ The Shorty Awards

Advocating for Literacy Access in the Fight for Equity and Justice - The Shorty Awards

@shortyawards

Shorty Awards: 2021

The Shorty Awards honor the best individuals and organizations on social media, culminating in an annual awards show in NYC.

BEST IN EDUCATION

This award honors the best use of social media and digital by educational institutions, programs and services. Objectives may include promoting enrollment and school spirit, engaging current students and thought leadership.

Advocating for Literacy Access in the Fight for Equity and Justice

Artemis Ward, The Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy

Former First Lady Barbara Bush chose literacy as her life’s work based on a simple, but powerful belief: “If more people could read, write, and comprehend, we would be that much closer to solving so many of the problems plaguing our society.”

Low literacy is a silent and enduring crisis in our country. Roughly 54% of U.S. adults aged 16-74 lack proficiency in literacy, essentially reading below a sixth grade level. Over the past three decades, the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy (BBF) has supported family literacy programs in all 50 states and D.C., changing the lives of countless parents and children.

In 2020, to continue its fight in addressing unmet adult literacy needs, BBF positioned itself as a modern leader in the literacy field through the strategic use of authentic success stories, helpful resources on adult literacy and programming, and compelling and easy-to-find data and research.

Why mispronouncing a name can undermine a student’s identity – and how to help

Qatar Foundation

How does the way a teacher pronounces a student's name impact their education – and why does it matter? In 2020, Qatar Foundation and Vox Creative's Explainer Studio partnered on an Explainer Video to find out. Through the Explainer, the paramount importance of respecting someone's identity by respecting their name was unpacked with editorial rigor and emotional impact. Ultimately, the Explainer leaves viewers with clear takeaways of how to be better citizens to one another.

The secret to pronouncing someone's name if you don't know how? Just ask.

#VictoryPages: Social Media History
RT Creative Lab, RT

Nestlé Math Moments
Triple Eight, NESTLÉ NESPRAY

Talking About Race
Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture

Virtual HBCU Homecoming
L2C Studios LLC, Support Black Colleges  READ MORE ➤➤

Automatic Readability Checker

Based on 7 readability formulas:

Grade Level: 12

Reading Level: difficult to read.

Reader's Age: 17-18 yrs. old

(Twelfth graders)

IMLS Finalists for 2021 National Medal for Museum and Library Service

IMLS Names Finalists for National Medal for Museum and Library Service

#IMLSmedals

IMLS: 3.18.2021

The Institute of Museum and Library Services is pleased to announce 30 finalists for the 2021 National Medal for Museum and Library Service. The National Medal is the nation’s highest honor given to museums and libraries that demonstrate excellence in service to their communities. Since 1996, the award has honored 170 institutions that demonstrated extraordinary and innovative approaches to public service.

"The revival and reinstitution of the National Medals by IMLS is another signal of recovery and renewal in the nation’s very challenging—but very hopeful—times,” said IMLS Director Crosby Kemper. “We are celebrating not only the ongoing excellence of the best of our museums and libraries, but their extraordinary efforts through the pandemic, the recession, the racial justice protests, and national divisions to serve, heal, and bring together our communities. Congratulations to all 30 finalists."

Throughout March and April, IMLS will showcase the excellent community work of these institutions through its Share Your Story social media campaign. Anyone whose life has been touched by these museums or libraries is encouraged to share their memories and pictures and tag IMLS on Facebook and Twitter by using the hashtag #IMLSmedals.

IMLS congratulates the 2021 finalists of the National Medal for Museum and Library Service and thanks all those who applied. The 30 finalists for the honor are:

Libraries

Cabell County Public Library (Huntington, WV)

Chapel Hill Public Library (Chapel Hill, NC)

Dakota County Library (Eagan, MN)

Gwinnett County Public Library (Lawrenceville, GA)

Haines Borough Public Library (Haines, AK)

Highwood Public Library (Highwood, IL)

Kenosha Public Library (Kenosha, WI)

Long Branch Free Public Library (Long Branch, NJ)

Marathon Public Library (Marathon, TX)

Memphis Public Library and Information Center (Memphis, TN)

North Las Vegas Library District (North Las Vegas, NV)

Queens Public Library Langston Hughes (Corona, NY)

Redwood City Public Library (Redwood City, CA)

The Ferguson Library (Stamford, CT)

West Warwick Public Library (West Warwick, RI)

READ MORE ➤➤

 

Automatic Readability Checker

Based on 7 readability formulas:

Grade Level: 14

Reading Level: difficult to read.

Reader's Age: 21-22 yrs. old

(college level)

Literacy – Spanning North America :: Lethbridge AB :: Springfield OH :: Springfield MO

Literacy In The News :: Spanning North America

@LethLib

New Library Program To Help Displaced Workers
Lethbridge Herald: 3.12.2021 by Dale Woodward

A new program to help people displaced from work take the steps back to employment is being offered through the Lethbridge Public Library.

Read On Adult Literacy & Learning at Lethbridge Public Library announced Wednesay [sic] it has received funding to test a new program – Moving Forward, New Opportunities, New Lives – that will help participants improve their understanding of Canadian workplace culture and expectations and the literacy and essential skills that are required in today’s workplace.

The program runs April 12 to May 7 and focuses on displaced workers who have lost their job in the past five years due to workplace closure, plants moving, job or shift cuts, natural disasters or the COVID-19 pandemic.

“In December the rate of unemployment in this area and Medicine Hat was one of the highest in the province. It’s not unique to our area. We know everywhere across the country and the world has been affected by COVID,” said Lil Radley, coordinator of literacy services at Lethbridge Public Library.  READ MORE ➤➤

 

Automatic Readability Checker

Based on 7 readability formulas:

Grade Level: 14

Reading Level: difficult to read.

Reader's Age: 21-22 yrs. old

(college level)

 

Warder Literacy Center

Coronavirus: Warder Literacy Center Facing Increased Need For Services, More Volunteers
Springfield News Sun: 3.13.2021 by Brett Turner

Students in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic have had to make adjustments in the past year, many dealing with virtual education or hybrid learning. This has led in some cases to altering their attention and study habits.

For years, area students needing extra help have turned to Warder Literacy Center (WLC), located at 137 E. High St. in the former Warder Public Library building, for such needs. But the pandemic has also seen this service take a hit.

Whereas program tutors were once plentiful, the loss of using college students and seniors due to safety concerns has led the WLC to seek new tutors to answer student needs.

“We’re seeing the impact of COVID right now.  READ MORE ➤➤

 

Automatic Readability Checker

Based on 7 readability formulas:

Grade Level: 8

Reading Level: standard / average.

Reader's Age: 12-14 yrs. old

(Seventh and Eighth graders)

 

Ozarks Literacy Council

Seeking Help For Her Daughter, Strafford Mom Finds Support From Ozarks Literacy Council
Springfield News-Leader: 3.14.2021 by Claudette Riley

Aquelia Storlazzi said her youngest child has struggled with reading since she entered kindergarten.

"I wasn't seeing a lot of growth in her reading skills," she said.

The single mother of three talked to her teachers. Despite the help available in Strafford schools, she thought her daughter needed more one-on-one.

Through her job, Storlazzi learned about the Ozarks Literacy Council, which assessed her daughter, Natalee, and paired the second-grader with volunteer Kay Beall.

"She reads at home to her mother and I can see that is really helping," Beall said. "I can tell that she wants to feel more confident reading. It's so important for children to read to their parents and for their parents to read to them."

The nonprofit started in 1968 offers literacy programs in southwest Missouri. It provides free books for families and trains volunteers to use curriculum to tutor adults and school-age children in reading.  READ MORE ➤➤

 

Automatic Readability Checker

Based on 7 readability formulas:

Grade Level: 8

Reading Level: fairly easy to read.

Reader's Age: 12-14 yrs. old

(Seventh and Eighth graders)