Abstract

Volunteers who tutor reading need training in selecting and using literature that promotes diversity, and students need to read literature with diversity themes to broaden their awareness and encourage understanding of others. The RSVP of the Capital Region (Albany, New York) thoroughly and effectively trains 90 tutors in issues of diversity to serve in 11 kindergarten through third grade classrooms. Tutors then bring this experience to their students, who learn tolerance and open-mindedness as their reading skills are enhanced. Deborah Doolittle, program director of the RSVP in the Capital Region, submitted this effective practice in October 2001.

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Issue

Training tutors in both the principles of literacy instruction as well as awareness of diversity issues makes for increased overall success for both volunteers and students.

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Action

According to the RSVP program director, steps to take include: 

• RSVP of the Capital Region in Albany, New York, thoroughly trains 90 tutors in diversity issues to serve in 11 kindergarten through third grade classrooms. When volunteers first sign on with the program they are given an initial orientation that includes a panel of library and reading experts who provide books with themes of diversity. A sampling of these books is displayed and excerpts are read aloud to the tutors. These activities are accompanied by discussion about the impact these books have on children.
• Tutors attend skill-building workshops after their initial orientation and assignments in schools. These are facilitated by the program director who has CHP training in diversity issues. (CHP International sponsors "Training of Facilitators Training" annually. This is an intensive five-day training on how to become a diversity trainer.)
• Members of AmeriCorps and Service Learning programs are invited to come and share their experiences with volunteers about working with diverse populations of students.
• The Literacy Coordinator for RSVP collaborates with teachers in Albany, Schenectady, and Rensselaer schools to develop appropriate curriculum guidelines. The curriculum is thematically structured so that tutors work with teachers to build an activity around a topic. For instance, using a historical theme, students might read about a female slave who makes her way to freedom; a cultural theme would engage children to read literature about Arab or other Middle Eastern countries. Children are encouraged to share their thoughts with tutors.
• RSVP has purchased many award-winning books on a broad range of diversity themes. Tutors and teachers share these books/activity boxes. When not in use by tutors, teachers use these books/activity boxes to stimulate classroom activities in diversity.

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Context

In the aftermath of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, many communities are responding by holding community forums and initiating activities that reinforce the idea that no one should be singled out for hatred, prejudice, or blame based on their ethnicity or religious affiliation. RSVP of the Capital Region in Albany, New York, continues to implement diversity training for its tutors. Many of the volunteers are from the suburbs of Albany where the population tends to be homogenous, so they may not be accustomed to working with diverse populations.

RSVP of the Capital Region serves Albany, Schenectady, and Rensselaer counties, with the major emphasis on least able readers in inner city schools. There is also an outreach program that assists surrounding rural areas. Further efforts include expanding the program to include nine more schools by the next academic year.

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Outcome

The literacy coordinator for RSVP has become even more dedicated to promoting services for the disadvantaged and under-served children in the tri-county area served. She supports training in diversity issues for the program director, who then instructs RSVP tutors. Tutors receive exposure to topics related to diversity, many for the first time, and students are introduced to various works of literature that have diversity as a theme.

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Evidence

• There is a high retention rate of volunteers.
• The program is well received by teachers who recognize the increase in reading skills in their students who have had the benefit of being tutored by the RSVP volunteers.
• Test scores consistently rise in schools who participate in the RSVP tutoring program, as documented when students go on to be tested in the fourth grade in Language Arts.

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Posted On

April 14, 2002

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For More Information

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Related Practices

• Addressing special needs of children in a multicultural community when implementing literacy tutoring

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Related sites

LEARNS (Linking Education and America Reads through National Service)

National Network for Child Care (Selected Bibliography of Multicultural Fiction and Poetry)

CHP International (Training and Consulting)

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