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Thank you again for your commitment to America Reads Challenge! On behalf of the U.S. Department of Education, the Corporation for National Service and San Francisco State University, we are happy to update you on the America Reads Challenge progress to date. We plan on sending monthly updates to keep you informed and hope you won't hesitate to contact our offices if we can be of further assistance.

COLLEGES WHO HAVE TAKEN THE CHALLENGE!

We are pleased that as of today, over 700 colleges from all 50 states have taken the Challenge! For an updated listing of the colleges signed on, as well as updated information on the Challenge, please visit the America Reads Challenge WEB site at www.ed.gov/inits/americareads/. Please encourage other colleges in your state who have not taken the Challenge to sign on! Remember an institution doesn't have to commit 50% of the Federal Work-Study (FWS) increase to be considered an America Reads Challenge institution, and the waiver of the 25% FWS match applies to ALL students who are tutorin pre-K and elementary school children to read.

TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE WORKSHOPS

In late July and early August, the America Reads Challenge conducted four (4) Training and Technical Assistance workshops. The workshops were held in different regions of the country ( San Francisco State University, Chicago State University, the University of Pennsylvania and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill). Representatives of all America Reads institutions were invited to attend the training, as well as an open invitation was placed on the various America Reads related listservs and WEB sites. Nearly 350 individuals from over 200 colleges and universities participated in the free, day-long workshops that concentrated primarily on tutor training and support and program management using Federal Work-Study funds.

Portions of the workshops were conducted by representatives of three of the most prominent leading literacy organizations: Literacy Volunteers of America (LVA) , Laubach Literacy Action (LLA), and the Student Coalition for Action in Literacy Education (SCALE). Federal Work-Study sessions were conducted by Edward McDermott, Associate Director of Financial Aid at Georgetown University and co-author of the publication, "Expanding Federal Work-Study and Community Service Opportunities." Other presenters included officials from the U.S. Department of Education (DoED), San Francisco State University (SFSU), the Corporation for National Service (CNS) and local leaders of America Reads and community service programs.

The workshop agenda varied slightly at the various sites, depending on the needs, interests and backgrounds of the audience. All of the workshops consisted of the following elements:

• Welcome from the host institutions
• Background on the America Reads Challenge
• Federal Work-Study issues
• Planning and management of literacy projects
• Tutor training and support
• Examples of model programs
• Resources, including publications and publication lists

In addition to topics covered in plenary sessions, attendees were able to choose among several smaller group workshops for more in-depth discussions and training.

Participants received binders with extensive supporting background material, resource guides, directories and other publications from DoED, CNS, and the literacy and higher education institutions mentioned above. Materials from the workshops are available on the various WEB sites: DOED: www.ed.gov/inits/americareads/; CNS: www.cns.gov; LLA: www.laubach.org; LVA: http://literacy.kent.edu/LVA/; and SCALE: www.readwriteact.org/.

The Pennsylvania workshop was videotaped, and we are in the process of editing this 8 hour workshop into less than 4 hours. Details on the cost and ordering of the tape will be in the next update and will also be posted on our related WEB sites.

PRESIDENT'S COALITION FOR THE CHALLENGE

In late July, representatives from business, religious, community, literacy, youth-serving and education organizations were invited to attend a meeting in Washington to learn about the President's Coalition for the America Reads Challenge. The goal was to beging a formal process wherein organization would sign on to support the America Reads Challenge. Those who decided to join the Coalition agreed to commit time and resouces to building community coalitions for literacy by supporting existing literacy programs and developing new ones where needed. They will also recruit learning partners to work on reading with America's young children from birth through third grade.

I am pleased to inform you that your institution is automatically considered a member of the President's Coalition because of your participation in the FWS program of the America Reads Challenge. And, due to your membership in the Coalition, you will now be able to share information about your work with large organizations who can support your efforts on the local level. President Robert Corrigan of San Francisco State University attended this first meeting to represent college and university programs. We will provide you additional information about the President's Coalition as it becomes available.

AMERICA READS LOGO

Many America Reads Challenge colleges have asked if there is an official America Reads logo. While we encourage each local site to develop their own "look", our office has developed a simple logo that is available for your use and is posted on the America Reads WEB page at www.ed.gov/inits/americareads/. All the color separation issues and other printing information is on this WEB page and you can download the logo for all your printing needs. However, if you need additional copies, please contact our office at the address below or call 202-401-8888, and a copy will be sent to you.

RESOURCES AVAILABLE

There is currently a wealth of useful information on the Internet. The following is a list of helpful sites. This list is by no means all inclusive or even an attempt at picking "the best". It is simply some of many available resources through the Internet. The sites range from places to look for lesson plans to places to find children's book reviews.

SUGGESTIONS

We are always interested in your thoughts as to how to improve the Federal Work-Study program and we are interested in any suggestions you may have. While we strongly encourage communication between schools (see above information on the America Reads listservs) I am also happy to receive any suggestions or comments you may have. Please feel free to write me directly Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20202; phone (202) 401-8888 or fax (202) 401-0596.

Again, thank you for your support for the America Reads Challenge! We look forward to working with you to ensure that all children learn to read well and independently by the end of third grade.

RESOURCES AVAILABLE

The America Reads Listserv is a forum for interested parties to discuss questions and best practices regarding America Reads programs. A listserv is a mailing list of people who communicate about a common interest through Internet e-mail. The America Reads Listserv was created for colleges, universities, students, experts and practitioners in the field of literacy to share best practices, publications, curriculum, ideas on how to mobilize for this effort, Federal Work-Study and financial aid issues, etc.

The America Reads Web Site contains an overview of the America Reads Challenge, how to get involved, questions and answers, legislation update, research, examples of successful tutoring and parent involvement programs, READY*SET*READ and Read*Write*Now! publications, and Federal Work-Study information.

http://www.ed.gov/inits/americareads/

There is currently a wealth of useful information on the Internet. The following is a list of helpful sites. This list is by no means all inclusive or even an attempt at picking "the best". It is simply some of many available resources through the Internet. The sites range from places to look for lesson plans to places to find children's book reviews. Good luck and happy surfing...

U.S. Department of Education Resources

1. CB-97-12

   Mailed to financial aid offices in July, this "Dear Colleague" letter is in a Q & A format. It focuses on Federal Work-Study (FWS) with a section specifically on community service. It can be found on the America Reads Web Site or at the Information for Financial Aid Professionals website.

2. Expanding Federal Work-Study and Community Service Opportunities

   This publication was mailed in May to all colleges with an FWS allocation. It is an extensive review of why and how you can expand your community service program through FWS, as well as examples of programs at about 20 institutions. Appendix 5 contains questions and answers on the Job Location and Development (JLD) program.

   Hard copies can be obtained by calling 1-800-4FEDAID. It is also on the America Reads Web Site or at the following web address:

   http://www.ed.gov/offices/OPE/pubs/WorkStudy/index.html

3. 97-98 Federal Student Financial Aid Handbook

   Mailed in July to financial aid offices, Chapter 7 covers the FWS program. Section 4 has several pages dedicated to defining community service positions.

Corporation for National Service Resources

The Corporation for National Service (CNS) provides a broad range of community service opportunities to Americans of all ages and backgrounds.

1. For information about AmeriCorps (including VISTA) and Learn and Serve America, please visit the CNS Web Site:

   http://www.cns.gov/

2. The Service-Learning List

   The Service-Learning List is open to anyone with an interest in service-learning. Over 700 people discuss program issues, make requests for specific information regarding service-learning, and provide general announcements. The Service-Learning List is run by the University of Colorado and is not formally connected to the Corporation for National Service.

   Address an e-mail to:	listproc@csf.colorado.edu
   Type (in the body):	sub service-learning (your name)

Other Resources

1. National Student Employment Association (NSEA) - (202) 862-8514 or fax to (202) 862-9814

2. STUDEMP

   This listserv focuses on student employment issues, including FWS and community service. You can subscribe by sending a message to listserv@listserv.Arizona.edu. In the body of the message type:

   subscribe STUDEMP <firstname> < lastname>

   To review discussion logs:

   http://listserv.arizona.edu/lsv/logs.html

3. National Society for Experiential Education (NSEE)

   http://www.nsee.org/

   NSEE also has a useful publication list on-line which can be accessed through the NSEE home page

4. National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators

   http://www.nasfaa.org/

   Helpful Web Sites:

   Tutor Training Materials:

   Bank Street College
   http://www.bnkst.edu/americareads/americareads.html
   Training materials have been added to the Bank Street College Web site. "Responding to the America Reads Challenge" provides a host of information on working with young children on developing literacy skills. Includes sample activities for tutors to structure their work.

   Working With Urban and Minority Families:

   Urban/Minority Families
   http://eric-web.tc.columbia.edu/families/
   This site provides resources on meeting the educational needs of children in urban living environments. Includes guest publications about issues important to urban and minority families, guides of internet resources about issues affecting urban families, reviews of educational publications about urban families, short articles for parents about their children's schooling and for educators about working with parents.

   College Students in Literacy Education:

   Student Coalition for Action in Literacy Education (SCALE)
   http://www.readwriteact.org/
   SCALE is a national organization that mobilizes college students to address the literacy needs of this country through partnership with community agencies, service organizations, new readers, students, faculty and administrators. This site includes outline of programs, membership information, legislation information, campus profiles.

   Resources from National Literacy Organizations:

   American Library Association
   http://www.ala.org/alsc/
   The American Library Association's home page for the Association for Library Service to children. Includes resources for librarians, resources for teachers, resources for parents, sites for kids, and links to other sites.

   Reading is Fundamental
   http://www.si.edu/rif/
   Includes information on RIF, current program statistics, publications for parents, how to start a RIF program.

   Adult Literacy Training:

   Literacy Volunteers of America (LVA)
   http://archon.educ.kent.edu/LVA/
   Trains tutors to teach adults to read through more than 200 affiliates. Includes curriculum materials and programming ideas for adult literacy.

   Children's Literature:

   Children's Literature
   http://www.parentsplace.com/
   This site is designed to enhance children's literacy by helping adults find the best children's books available. They look through more than 5,000 new children's books published each year to find the very best to review in their newsletter. Additionally, they review electronic books and multimedia and profile prominent authors and illustrators.

   Students with Learning Disabilities:

   Learning to Read -- Reading to Learn
   Helping Children with Learning Disabilities to Succeed http://www.cec.sped.org/ericec/readlist.htm
   This site and available materials by the U.S. Department of Education Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Service, Office of Special Education Programs include tips for teachers, tips for parents, principles for learning to read, and a comprehensive resource guide.

   Links to Other Education Related Materials:

   EdCentral
   http://www.edcentral.com/menu/
   Resource information organized in a one-stop, easy-to-use menu. Includes updates on products, conferences, and grants; magazines, journals, and newsletters; and consultants, speakers, and trainers. This site has links to a National listing of State Education Agencies, National Clearinghouse for Bilingual Education, and the National Association for the Education of Young Children.

   ERIC Clearinghouse on Reading, English, and Communications
   http://www.indiana.edu/~eric_rec/
   A clearinghouse maintained by Indiana University, it provides access to listservs, links to other clearinghouses, and educational materials including lesson plans. Includes ideas on using children's books to improve reading and access to parent's brochures.

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