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Literacy

Illinois State Library, Literacy
Launch of Penny Severns Web-Based Grant Application
March 10th, 2010 | Permalink | Comment?
The Illinois State Library Literacy Office announced that effective at 8 a.m. on Thursday, March 11th, the Web-based version of the Penny Severns Summer Family Literacy Grant application will become available. Once the Web-based application is posted, the PDF version will no longer be available. Please plan accordingly.

If you have already begun to work on the PDF version of the application, please be certain to save that document on your desktop or your hard drive. You will be able to cut and paste from the PDF version into the Web-based version.

Here are important technical instructions for using the Web-based version of the application:
- You are encouraged to develop the proposal offline using a word processing program. The Web-based application does not have spell or grammar check capabilities. Compose and check the document using your word processing program, then copy and paste the proposal into the Web-based application.
- Be aware of the character limits within the text boxes.
- A timer within the Web-based application will expire after 30 minutes with no activity. Typing within one section or screen does not activate this activity monitor. After 30 minutes, any information on the screen will be lost. Clicking the “Save” button periodically will prevent that data loss. When you click “Save” or “Next,” your valid data is also saved.
- A shaded progress bar at the top of every page will indicate your advancement through the application.
- Navigational directions, “Previous” and “Next”, appear at the bottom of every page. Use those buttons rather than the back and forward arrows in your browser.
- To make a change within a text box, use your back space key.
- You may logout before finishing or submitting your application. When you re-enter the application, you will be directed to the last place that you entered data.
This Web-based application for the Penny Severns Summer Family Literacy program is a PILOT PROGRAM. The Illinois State Library is working toward automating all of our grant programs, from application to submission of reporting forms.

This pilot application is the first step in that direction. Your input and suggestions regarding the pilot application process are welcomed. Please submit feedback via email to Beth Paoli so that we may document your suggestions.

If you encounter any problems or have questions in preparing the Web-based application, please do not hesitate to contact the Literacy Office at 800-665-5576, extension 3, or 217-785-6921.
Literacy
Literacy Spotlight: Southwestern Illinois College in Belleville
March 9th, 2010 | Permalink | Comment?

Every week the Illinois State Library honors a recipient of one of the literacy grants awarded by Secretary of State Jesse White and the Illinois State Library Literacy Office. This week they shine the spotlight on Southwestern Illinois College in Belleville.

One family has reaped enormous benefits recently from the Southwestern Illinois College Family Literacy Program at Madison Middle School. Last year, one of the students enrolled in GED classes at Madison became homeless. She and her children moved from place to place, staying with friends and family members. The Family Literacy staff at Madison encouraged the student to keep working on her education in spite of the situation around her. She did continue to attend classes, and her children accompanied her, since childcare is provided while she attends classes. The woman’s children are in a safe learning environment and feel comfortable with their mother nearby. The woman persevered with her studies and passed the GED test. She enrolled in vocational education classes to become a Certified Nursing Assistant, completed that training and will be taking her state board exam. Most importantly, the woman has found housing for her family. With both education and a home, the woman’s outlook on life is positive, and her children are happy to be in a home with their mother.
Illinois State Library, Literacy
Apply for Penny Severns Literacy Grants
March 9th, 2010 | Permalink | Comment?

Applications are now being accepted for Penny Severns Summer Family Literacy Grants. These grants provide instruction and educational activities to improve the basic reading, math, writing skills or English language proficiency of parents and children together during the summer months. Applications and other information are available here.
Illinois State Library, Literacy
Literacy Spotlight: John Wood Community College
March 2nd, 2010 | Permalink | Comment?

Every week the Illinois State Library honors a recipient of one of the literacy grants awarded by Secretary of State Jesse White and the Illinois State Library Literacy Office. This week they shine the spotlight on John Wood Community College in Quincy.

Several large companies who employ hourly workers reduced their workforce or closed completely in communities served by the literacy program at John Wood Community College (JWCC).

With a shortage of job opportunities, job seekers use the literacy program to become better candidates for positions that are available. An employee of a company that closed was referred to the literacy program at JWCC and began taking GED classes twice a week and working with a tutor once a week. She had worked for nearly 20 years for this company and knew she would need to improve her English literacy in order to obtain another job.

Even though she could communicate fairly well in English, her reading and writing skills were not good. The woman wanted to be at least on the same level as her children who are progressing well in school. Testing has shown that she is improving both her reading level and her writing ability since she started to work with a tutor. In fact, she is so anxious to learn that she begs for homework and will not take a break when she is working her tutor. The future is beginning to look brighter for her.
Literacy
Illinois Literacy Newsletter Now Available
March 2nd, 2010 | Permalink | Comment?

The 2010 Illinois Literacy Newsletter is now available online. In this issue you will read how the State Library’s Literacy Office is able to support those adults and families who want to improve their literacy skills.

You will also read about the positive impact that the adult literacy program has had in communities across Illinois and meet an adult learner who serves on ProLiteracy’s World Wide Student Advisory Council, which raises awareness of the need for volunteer literacy internationally. Finally, you’ll find out more about the exciting and widely varying projects that took place through the Penny Severns Summer Family Literacy Program last summer.
Literacy
Literacy Spotlight: Richland Community College
February 23rd, 2010 | Permalink | Comment?

Every week the Illinois State Library honors a recipient of one of the literacy grants awarded by Secretary of State Jesse White and the Illinois State Library Literacy Office. This week they shine the spotlight on Richland Community College (RCC) in Decatur.

Two years ago a mother and her twin daughters enrolled in the Family Literacy program at Richland Community College. The woman’s husband already spoke fluent English and Vietnamese and was eager for his wife to learn English. The twins spoke Vietnamese and a very small amount of English.

The children could take advantage of Baby TALK’s Pre-School for All Classes. The woman was reluctant to interact with other parents and remained isolated. However, in her second year of classes she became fully engaged in the program. Her English began to improve and the twins are now more prepared for kindergarten.

The family enjoys attending Family Fun nights, and the parents are very engaged in their children’s learning. They use library services and enjoy reading together. In addition to the library, the family uses other community resources such as the children’s museum, the zoo, local parks and the environmental center, all thanks to RCC’s Family Literacy and Pre-K programs.
Literacy
Literacy Spotlight: John A. Logan College
February 15th, 2010 | Permalink | Comment?

Every week the Illinois State Library honors a recipient of one of the literacy grants awarded by Secretary of State Jesse White and the Illinois State Library Literacy Office. This week they shine the spotlight on John A. Logan College in Carterville.

As a child, this adult learner had encephalitis that left him with long-term health problems. At age 40, he still lives with his parents who help him. However, his parents are very ill and he knows that at some point he will be living alone.

He is working very hard to increase his reading and math skills to become more independent. In the time he has worked with a tutor one-on-one, his reading ability has improved one grade level. He is a dedicated student and has the potential for improvement with the help of his tutor.
Literacy
Literacy Spotlight: Lincoln Land Community College
February 8th, 2010 | Permalink | Comment?

Every week the Illinois State Library honors a recipient of one of the literacy grants awarded by Secretary of State Jesse White and the Illinois State Library Literacy Office. This week they shine the spotlight on Lincoln Land Community College (LLCC) in Springfield.

With a goal of obtaining his GED, one adult learner began taking ESL and Spanish GED classes through the Training and Education for Adult Learners (TEAL) Program at LLCC in Beardstown. He quickly passed his GED and continues with ESL classes.

The man joined the Workplace Literacy ESL class and attends regularly, and also joined the Family Literacy program with his son and has been part of that program since 2006. With a desire to become a U.S. citizen, the man attended citizenship preparation class and eventually achieved his goal. He is now able to vote and he is proud to tell his fellow classmates what the experience was like.

The man’s son has bonded with program staff and is beginning to speak English. The man’s wife will soon apply for U.S. citizenship. Adult education, family and workplace literacy programs become an integral part of the lives of adult learners, providing a place for study, play and growth.
Literacy
Literacy Spotlight: Howard Area Community Center
February 1st, 2010 | Permalink | Comment?

Every week the Illinois State Library honors a recipient of one of the literacy grants awarded by Secretary of State Jesse White and the Illinois State Library Literacy Office. This week they shine the spotlight on Howard Area Community Center (HACC) in Chicago.

A mother of two from Jamaica began working with a tutor at HACC in 2008. She was motivated by her desire to be a good mother to her children and wanted to be able to read to her sons. The tutor has worked with the mother consistently for about two hours per week. They focus on direct instruction in phonics. The tutoring sessions became a support system for the adult education classes the mother began attending.

The woman has improved five and a half grade levels in her reading skills and five grade levels in her math skills. She has instituted a “reading time” regimen in her home, where she and her sons read together twice a day. The woman has now become active in the Family Literacy program. She, along with some of her new classmates, initiated a Spanish class for beginners. The literacy program at Howard Area Community College honored the woman last year by inducting her into the National Adult Education Honor Society.
Literacy
Literacy Spotlight: Chinese Mutual Aid Association
January 25th, 2010 | Permalink | Comment?

Every week the Illinois State Library honors a recipient of one of the literacy grants awarded by Secretary of State Jesse White and the Illinois State Library Literacy Office. This week they shine the spotlight on the Chinese Mutual Aid Association (CMAA) in Chicago.

Family literacy programs can make a huge difference in the lives of families. Three years ago, a Chinese father of a first grader sought help for his son’s learning disability. Although the boy was able to read stories word by word , he had difficulty comprehending the material. Both of the boy’s parents have only an elementary school education from their native land, so they mainly spoke the Cantonese form of the Chinese language at home.

Their English proficiency was very limited. This language barrier caused the boy to have problems academically and interacting with other children. In cooperation with the family literacy project at CMAA, the family and staff assigned a one-on-one tutor to help the son with his homework and improve his reading comprehension and English proficiency.

The parents attend Parent and Child Together (PACT) activities and parenting workshops on a regular basis to improve their parenting techniques. They are also learning English in the English as a Second Language program. Their son’s report card shows dramatic improvement. He has opened up, and likes to be engaged with other children. A terrific example of how family literacy programs work.

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Literacy

Illinois State Library, Literacy

Launch of Penny Severns Web-Based Grant Application

Literacy

Literacy Spotlight: Southwestern Illinois College in Belleville

Illinois State Library, Literacy

Apply for Penny Severns Literacy Grants

Illinois State Library, Literacy

Literacy Spotlight: John Wood Community College

Literacy

Illinois Literacy Newsletter Now Available

Literacy

Literacy Spotlight: Richland Community College

Literacy

Literacy Spotlight: John A. Logan College

Literacy

Literacy Spotlight: Lincoln Land Community College

Literacy

Literacy Spotlight: Howard Area Community Center

Literacy

Literacy Spotlight: Chinese Mutual Aid Association