Conference News

Exemplary Practices honored by Literacy Volunteers of America As part of its new Accreditation Initiative, Literacy Volunteers of America, Inc. (LVA) has established the Exemplary Practices Awards, which will be presented annually to LVA affiliates for outstanding program practices which can serve as models for literacy programs nationwide. �This award demonstrates LVA�s commitment to quality literacy instruction and continuous program improvement,� according to Marsha L. Tait, LVA President. The first Exemplary Practices Awards were presented at Literacy Liftoff� 98, LVA�s national conference, held October 21 - 24 in Houston, TX. Awards went to: LVA DuPage, Inc., Naperville, Illinois This affiliate was honored for its exemplary system of developing, monitoring, and evaluating an annual program plan for the intake and support of tutors and students. LV Maricopa County, Phoenix, Arizona This affiliate was honored for its exemplary system of documenting student progress in meeting individual needs and goals, and in achieving literacy competencies. The LVA Accreditation Initiative has the goal of raising the acceptable performance threshold for volunteer literacy providers, ensuring that everyone who receives tutoring from volunteers receives quality services. Going beyond establishing minimum standards, Accreditation identifies outstanding educational and management practices and encourages every volunteer literacy organization to excel. Each three-year Accreditation cycle will build on the previous cycle, so that current �best demonstrated practices� become new minimum standards in a dynamic, ongoing process. The Exemplary Practices Awards are a part of this process. Recipients of these awards will be recognized in LVA�s Exemplary Practices for Literacy Services, a publication which will be disseminated to LVA�s more than 375 affiliates in 42 states, and shared with the public through LVA�s World Wide Web site (www.literacyvolunteers.org).