Senior Volunteers in Literacy Programs: A Study of Design and Practice

By investigating the National Senior Corps contributions to America Reads programs, the author undertook the first qualitative analysis of the impact of individualized tutorial programs by senior citizens on elementary student attitudes and performance. She has identified critical factors of successful programs, including the effects of instructional support, volunteer training and monitoring plus implications for creating more effective school and Senior Corp programs. In addition, she discusses factors that promote positive student experiences, including internal school support, parental involvement, volunteer training and support plus school/community/parent partnerships. (CNS)