Is Knowing Enough? The Impact of Community Volunteerism on Early Literacy Development

• In Event: Roundtable Session 110
  In Roundtable Session: Assessing Impact of Literacy Interventions on Student Outcomes in a Variety of Settings

Abstract

This project reports the findings of a community-wide effort to improve K-3rd third grade literacy engagement in an urban community in the United States. Four elementary schools were chosen as data sites to collect assessment scores at 3 points in the year based on reading and literacy scores on the Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills (Dibels) assessment to determine the impact of the program. Student participants ( n= 420) who were below benchmark were assigned a literacy volunteer tutor 1-2 days per week while other students who were below benchmark did not receiving tutoring and received whole class instruction. An analysis of the data from the 3 strategic collection points is discussed with implications for classroom literacy volunteers.

Authors

• Joe D. Nichols, Indiana University - Purdue University at Fort Wayne

• IL-Hee Kim, Indiana University - Purdue University at Fort Wayne

• Get W. Nichols, Fort Wayne Community Schools