ROE Adult Literacy

Program Description

ROE Adult Literacy is a program designed to meet the needs of people age 17 and older in our community who struggle with, or cannot read or speak English. We offer free and confidential one-to-one adult literacy tutoring as well as English Language Learner (ELL) tutoring to adults who need these services. All materials and services are free of charge, and all adult learner's personal information is kept confidential and only used for statistics in writing our grants. No personal information is ever shared outside of our office. We provide tutoring for adults from introductory reading level up through level eight. We also assist adults with math, citizenship and Pre-GED when appropriate.

Program History: ROE Adult Literacy has been in existence since 1983 serving the needs of our community. ROE Adult Literacy is an affiliate of Pro-Literacy America, and provides direct service within our community (Peoria, Marshall and Woodford Counties) by recruiting, training and matching volunteer tutors with adults in need of basic reading skills. Since the program’s inception over 40 years ago, we have helped hundreds of adults improve their reading skills and learn to read and speak English. Over 500 volunteer tutors have been trained over the years, several of which remain with our program today. Up to 40 volunteer tutors are trained on an annual basis. ROE Adult Literacy depends on the generosity of local media outlets to get the word out regarding our services and volunteer opportunities. Several volunteer tutor training workshops are offered each year, normally at local libraries who provide their well-equipped facilities for our use.

Volunteer Tutor Training: ROE Adult Literacy currently uses Pro-Literacy training modules, videos and personal experience to train volunteer tutors. ROE Adult Literacy staff has developed specific training to best fit the needs of the volunteers and learners of the three-county community which we serve. Coursework for volunteer tutors consists of twelve hours of hands-on training, as well as additional hours of training one-on-one at the time that we place the tutor with the learner. The tutor is asked to meet with the learner at least once a week for an hour over the course of one year. After 35 hours of contact with the learner, the tutor contacts our staff and the learner is assessed to ascertain the level of improvement. Research tells us that if the tutor meets with the learner at least 35 hours over the period of one-year, approximate gains would be one level on average. The learner is first assessed by staff to show an initial level of reading skill. Staff currently uses SORT testing to acquire the initial baseline. Our goal in most cases is to show a gain of one level over a one-year timeframe.