How to Enroll

Call our office at (518) 452-3382.

Our Program Services

Literacy Volunteers serves adults and out-of-school teens who wish either (1) to improve basic reading & writing skills, or (2) to learn how to speak and understand English. Eligible participants must be 16 years or older and no longer enrolled in a secondary school program. Literacy Volunteers provides one-on-one literacy and language skills instruction to adults in Albany and Schenectady Counties. Both Basic Literacy (reading and writing below the 8th grade level) and English as a Second Language services are available.

Features of the Literacy Volunteers program:

One-to-one-- confidential--free--individualized.
Flexible scheduling: days, weekends, evenings.
Flexible sites: libraries or other neutral setting preferred.
Trained volunteer tutors who are understanding, patient, & versatile, & receive ongoing technical support from LV professional staff.
Students may attend outside classes & receive assistance from a Literacy Volunteer as well.

Expectations of students in the LV program:

Able to make & keep own appointments.
Able to meet regularly at least once a week.
Self-motivated.

Please note:

There may be a waiting period to be placed with a tutor whose skills and schedule match those of the student (we will keep the student apprised, however).
Sessions are generally limited to once or twice a week, 1-2 hours each.
Sorry - math is not offered

Making a Referral

First, explain the program to the prospective student. Then, if you feel the person is a suitable candidate for LV tutoring, please give him/her our phone number, 452-3382, or one of our flyers, and encourage the individual to call our office. We will arrange a brief informal interview to get the background information we need to make the best placement. If the individual prefers that you make the first contact on his/her behalf, feel free to do so, but we must speak to the person directly.

Guidelines for Student Eligibility

All potential students must:

Make contact directly with LV.
Be able to make and keep appointments independently.
Be a minimum of 16 years of age and not be enrolled in a secondary level school (nor planning to enroll).
Keep scheduled interview appointment or call to reschedule. If cancel twice, then must come to LV office for interview.
Be prepared to be tutored in a public place.
Keep scheduled assessment interview appointment or call to reschedule.

Additionally, Basic Literacy potential students must:

Be able to speak and understand English.
Be able to state name, address, telephone number and date of birth or age, independent from outside coaching.
Be able to coherently describe their educational history.
Have less than an 8th grade reading level according to our assessment passages.

Additionally, ESL potential students must:

Have made or intend to make their permanent residence in the USA. Thus excluding persons or spouses who are here on temporary research, employment or educational programs.
Score below 540 on the BEST Plus entry assessment.

Guidelines for remaining in program:

Student participates in a minimum of 18 hours of tutoring in a six month time period.
Student demonstrates progress toward individually identified goal(s).

Guidelines for student completion:

Basic Literacy student is reading at or above the 8th grade level.
ESL student scores 541 or above on annual assessment.