Sometimes, turning in monthly hours or forms can seem like a minor issue, but it is actually a critical piece of the work being done at your local council. Today’s blog post will share the primary uses for the data you submit to the councils.
Accountability
All literacy councils in Arkansas are registered 501 c 3 organizations. As such, they operate with a board of directors and submit accountability documentation to The Adult Learning Alliance of Arkansas. While not the most glamorous part of the work, it is an important legal and ethical obligation in the work we are doing. In order to regularly convey information to the public about the mission, impact, and finances of the organization, councils rely on data such as the information you turn in each month.
The first part of accountability is transparency. In order to be transparent with supporters, councils must have accurate information about the services being provided. This ensures they can evaluate the effectiveness of their own programs, plan for future work, and disclose the impact they are making to the stakeholders.
The first part of accountability is transparency. In order to be transparent with supporters, councils must have accurate information about the services being provided. This ensures they can evaluate the effectiveness of their own programs, plan for future work, and disclose the impact they are making to the stakeholders.
Seeking Support
Literacy councils rely on grants, donors, and fundraisers to pursue their mission. In order to do so, they need information to share to those parties about the success they have had and plans for growth. This is why it is important that you share more than just instructional hours.
One of the best measures of success in a literacy council is student goals. Every student comes to the council with different ability levels and seeking support for different skills. While we assess students using the appropriate curriculum or tool, there is no test that could convey the gains of all those students in a comparative way. Sharing that a student was able to pass a driver’s license test, read a book with a child, get a job, or any other accomplishment helps to tell the story of literacy councils.
Your Role
As a tutor, you do vital work for the adults in your community. In order to capture that work, we need your help. Check with your local council about data they need, and set up a routine for submitting that data. Your work is important, and your local council wants to know about it!
