With passage of the National Literacy Act of 1991, methods for effectively integrating volunteer programs into a state's comprehensive system for adult education need to be developed. This includes the ability to obtain funding, involvement in the development of state indicators of program quality, planning for the State Literacy Resource Centers, participation in development of and recent amendments to state plans mandated by the Adult Education Act, and service on State Advisory Councils. The number of learners being referred to volunteer programs from judicial systems and state assistance programs is increasing, often without increased resources. Although programs wish to collaborate fully with the courts and social service agencies, they often must do so without clear working agreements. Volunteers are being asked to document attendance and learner progress.
Mandatory involvement puts a new face on volunteerism and volunteer expectations.
Program evaluation and learner assessment will increasingly be issues for literacy volunteer programs, due to increased visibility, acceptance of public and private funds with demands for measurable outcomes, mandated learner participation due to welfare reform, and changing roles of learners in participatory programs. Debate over quantitative versus qualitative assessment procedures will continue as portfolio assessment research and practice gain wider acceptance for youth in the K-12 curriculum. Participatory programs will also demand different roles for program participants in these processes. Literacy volunteer programs will be expected to form partnerships and coalitions among themselves and with other providers due to several recent developments related to public policy and funding changes, including funding for training and materials that can be shared by the national literacy organizations. A recent National Volunteer Literacy Campaign Training Project sponsored by the Coors Literacy Foundation to increase the training capacity of LVA and LLA is such an example.