ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the use of volunteers in adult literacy education programs, examines several current controversies, and lays out possible implications of those controversies. Volunteers have been active for several decades in federally funded adult literacy programs and in the two major volunteer literacy organizations, Laubach Literacy International and Literacy Volunteers of America (LVA), now merged as ProLiteracy International. Federal legislation began to fund adult literacy education in earnest with the Adult Basic Education Act in 1964-1965. The aim of this act was to help people over the age of 18 attain the numeracy and literacy skills required to become employable and participate fully in society. Specific federal volunteer initiatives, such as Volunteers in Service to America, have also created opportunities for literacy volunteers. Typically, support for volunteers has consisted of mandatory initial training and optional follow-up sessions. Training for volunteer tutors in Laubach and LVA programs usually lasts between 12 and 18 hours.
