Writing with Pen and Computer

1. Writing with Pen and Computer Writing and Computer Courses for Adult New Readers A Proposal to

2. Outline • Background • Plan • Marketing • Personnel • Budget • Timeline • Benefits

3. BACKGROUND

4. Literacy Volunteers of America,Essex and Passaic Counties (LVA) • Provides free tutoring in basic reading to adults who are 16 years and older • Recruits and trains volunteer literacy tutors • Funded by New Jersey Department Education grant and individual donations • Serves parents and care givers who need literacy training and whose children experience learning difficulties in school

5. Need:“I want to write better.” Some of LVA’s students who achieve a seventh grade reading level do not opt to attain a GED for various reasons: • Lack of confidence in their academic abilities • Financial difficulties • Time management issues • Family obligations, etc. Still, these students recognize and articulate their need for instruction in basic composition. Also, our digital society demands basic computer skills—on the job and at home.

6. Solution Establish a basic writing and computer literacy curriculum for LVA students who have achieved a seventh grade reading level. With help from Verizon Foundation, the LVA could enrich its literacy program by offering this alternative for students who want to develop their writing and computer communication skills.

7. How Develop Writing with Pen and Computer (WPC), a one year pilot program that will implement a structured curriculum of four courses in a classroom environment spanning two semesters.

8. PLAN

9. Plan Objectives • Engage an education consultant to assist with recruiting the right professional English teacher to develop and teach the WPC writing curriculum. • Engage a volunteer LVA tutor to teach a basic computer literacy curriculum. • Secure a classroom or computer lab at Essex County College or Bloomfield Public Library. • Purchase five laptop computers a computer projector, and texts and workbooks. • Build a WPC website for resources and references relevant to course lessons and assignments.

10. MARKETING • LVA students who are reading at a seventh grade level will receive brochures notifying them of their eligibility to participate in WPC and encouraging them to enroll. • At the consultant’s discretion, the teacher and substitute positions might be advertised.  • A press release will announce the launch of the WPC program and note the participation of Verizon Foundation. • The Verizon Foundation logo will appear on all printed items funded by the foundation.

11. PERSONNEL • Project Manager and LVA tutor, Beverly Morris • Education Consultant • English Teacher • Substitute Teacher

12. BUDGET

13. TIME FRAME

14. Time Frame DEVELOPMENT PHASE April 2013 • Issue a press release announcing the grant from Verizon Foundation • Secure agreement for classroom at Essex County College or Bloomfield Public Library • Produce brochure for LVA students at seventh grade reading level April – May 2013 • Recruit five students, teacher, substitute, and LVA tutor. June – July 2013 • Purchase hardware, software, and texts. Develop web site and teaching aids.

15. Time Frame IMPLEMENTATION PHASE December 14 – 15, 2013 • Implement first semester of pilot program January 25 – April 29, 2014 • Implement second semester

16. Time Frame ASSESSMENT PHASES January 2014 • Analyze student assessments for first semester • Compile data for overall assessment of program first semester May 2014 • Analyze student assessments for second semester • Compile data for overall assessment of program second semester • Assess overall results of pilot program

17. Time Frame REPORTING PHASES January 2014 • Issue interim report to stakeholders for first semester May 2014 • Issue interim report for second semester June – July 2014 • Issue final project report

18. BENEFITS

19. Benefits to Students • Improved writing skills will enable LVA students who are parents of school age children to participate in their education and interact with the school system. • Improved writing skills will better enable LVA students to advocate for themselves, family, and friends who are dealing with social service agencies and other service providers. • Successfully completing a structured, graded course of study will enable LVA students who are not GED-bound to accomplish “an education.”

20. Benefit to LVA Successful implementation of the Writing with Pen and Computer program will enhance the LVA’s ability to carry out its literacy mission and attract more prospective students. Increased demand along with demonstrated success in building students’ writing skills could justify increased funding from the LVA’s traditional sources.

21. Benefit to Community The community will benefit economically from an increased pool of reading and computing workers.

22. Benefit to Verizon Foundation A successful pilot program will demonstrate Verizon Corporation’s commitment to advancing literacy in the communities it serves through its Education and its Internet Safety grant programs.

23. Q & A

24. Thank you! CONTACT: Beverly Morris 973-960-0904 bmorris@njit.edu