Volunteer Tutor

Handbook

Wilmington Public Library

10 East 10^th Street

Wilmington, DE 19801

302.658.5624

Updated April 2026

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www.literacydelaware.org

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Tutor Handbook

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New Castle County – Home Office

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Mailing Address:�P.O. Box 2083�Wilmington, DE 19899-2083

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Street Address:

Wilmington Public Library

10 East 10th Street Wilmington, DE 19801

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Phone: 302.658.5624

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Advancing literacy through training, tutoring, English language acquisition and advocacy for all Delawareans.

Empowering all Delawareans through Literacy.

To work with all stakeholders in a collaborative and transparent approach based on mutual respect. We will strive to be nimble and responsive to our clients and partners needs while seeking a level of excellence in our programming and interaction with others.

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• WE Provide Literacy Advocacy
• WE Provide Literacy Education
• WE Provide Literacy Training
• WE Provide Literacy Tutoring

We reaffirm our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion for all people, no matter their race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, religion, socio-economic status, language and culture. We believe literacy is the great equalizer to pave the path for social justice. We will continue to leverage our resources to impact and empower those we serve through literacy instruction.

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Welcome to Literacy Delaware and thank you for answering our call to action to solve the adult literacy crisis in Delaware. As a tutor, you are joining a dedicated community of volunteers committed to empowering adults through literacy.

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Literacy Delaware, Inc., is a nonprofit 501(c)3 which assists adults to significantly improve their literacy skills. Literacy is no longer just reading and writing. "Literacy is understanding, evaluating, using and engaging with written text to participate in the society, to achieve one's goals and to develop one's knowledge and potential.“ * This level of essential skills needed continues to change as the demands of the workplace, family, and society changes. Our organization continues to develop new programs and curriculum to address a whole range of “literacy” needs. We believe literacy is the great equalizer. It has the power to “open minds and change lives”.

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Each year, Literacy Delaware serves more than 300 adult learners with the support of over 100 dedicated volunteers. Our full-time and part-time staff ensure high-quality program operations, supported by an engaged and committed Board of Directors. Meet our staff and board!

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Volunteers receive training in which they learn a variety of techniques to assist them in teaching. Volunteers commit to a yearly 90 hours of instruction. Many volunteers have continued to teach long after completing their initial commitment. Literacy Delaware provides ongoing support and guidance to trained volunteers through in-service workshops and assistance from staff. Volunteers also assist with learner orientation and evaluation, volunteer orientation, tutor training, and special events.

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We are grateful for your commitment!

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* The National Literacy Act of 1991

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Position Summary

Prepare and teach lessons to adult learners, helping them strengthen their skills to achieve an educational level gain annually. Assist adult learners in setting and meeting their personal literacy and English goals.

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Specific Responsibilities

1. Complete online tutor training modules
2. Instruct learner(s) for a minimum of 4 hours per week and for an overall 90 hour minimum
3. Prepare lessons tailored to learners’ literacy and English language level needs, goals, and interests

4. Submit tutoring hours and information about learner achievements online once per month

5. Maintain regular contact with Literacy Delaware office

6. Notify Literacy Delaware office of any changes in tutoring status, learner or tutor address, phone, etc.

7. Complete at least 4 hours of Professional Development per year. For example, attending Tutor Coffee Hour or attending Literacy webinars.

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Qualifications/Education/Training

• High school diploma or equivalent

• 18 years of age or older

• Satisfactory completion of Literacy Delaware Tutor Training

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Knowledge, Skills, Abilities

• Patience and flexibility

• Strong interpersonal skills

• Exceptional reading and English skills

• Willingness to learn

• Compassion and respect for adults with limited reading and/or English skills

• Ability to relate well to people from diverse backgrounds

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Accountable to:

Volunteer and Training Specialist

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Position Summary

The Volunteer Test Administrator plays a vital role in supporting adult learners by facilitating standardized assessments that measure educational progress and program impact. This position ensures a professional, respectful, and supportive testing environment for all participants. A volunteer test administrator is a detail-oriented, professional, and committed to supporting adult learners with patience, integrity, and respect. This individual has ability to navigate CASAS portal (will train).

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Specific Responsibilities

1. Administer approved literacy and educational assessments to enrolled learners in accordance with program guidelines
2. Maintain confidentiality, accuracy, and integrity of all testing materials and results
3. Create a welcoming and encouraging environment that supports learner access
4. Administer minimum of 8 assessments annually (to be determined by program leadership) and for an overall 24 hour minimum per year

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Qualifications/Education/Training

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• High school diploma or equivalent
• 18 years of age or older
• Satisfactory completion of a virtual program overview session (Zoom)
• Satisfactory completion of a structured observation of a live testing session to gain hands-on insight into testing procedures and expectations
• Successfully completing required online testing certification training to obtain official testing credentials

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Knowledge, Skills, Abilities

• Ability to navigate CASAS portal (will train)
• Patience and flexibility
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Exceptional reading and English skills
• Willingness to learn
• Compassion and respect for adults with limited reading and/or English skills
• Ability to relate well to people from diverse backgrounds

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Accountable to:

Volunteer and Training Specialist

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Literacy Delaware Volunteers have the right to:

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1. Receive relevant information about their learners to help the tutor perform his/her tutoring duties confidently and competently

2. Work with learners who expressed interest in improving their literacy skills

3. Receive training and support

4. Have access to teaching resource materials

5. Have their personal information treated confidentially by Literacy Delaware

6. Receive pertinent information about Literacy Delaware and program developments

7. Ask for new learners if matches are not appropriate

8. Communicate openly with Literacy Delaware staff and other tutors

9. Make mistakes. We are all human, and therefore we do the best we can, accepting our mistakes and moving forward!

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Tutor Participation Policy

Literacy Delaware is committed to providing an environment free from any type of discrimination based on race, color, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, disability, gender, sexual orientation, or age.

In order to be considered for entry into the Literacy Delaware tutor program, applicants must

• Hold at minimum a certificate of high school graduation or General Equivalency Diploma (GED)
• Be at least 18 years old
• Pass a Literacy Delaware approved tutor training program or otherwise be approved to tutor by the Literacy Delaware Executive Director
• Pay the reasonable costs of a criminal, background check. Disclose any and all felony convictions or charges, including those pending.
• Be able to travel to and from the assigned tutoring location
• Commit to working a minimum number of instruction hours per program year as determined by Literacy Delaware

Any of the above eligibility criteria may be waived by the Literacy Delaware Executive Director in the best interests of Literacy Delaware.

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The Executive Director reserves the right to dismiss any Literacy Delaware tutor or tutor trainee for any reason at his/her discretion, including but not limited to failure to adhere to this policy.

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Nondiscrimination Policy

In accordance with applicable local, state, and federal laws, Literacy Delaware is committed to a policy of nondiscrimination and equal employment opportunity. All employment and program decisions will be made without regard to race, martial status, genetic information, color, age, creed, ancestry, disability, religion, gender, national origin, or sexual orientation.

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Likewise, Literacy Delaware, Inc. is committed to providing an environment for tutors and learners that is free from any type of discrimination, including race, marital status, genetic information, color, age, creed, ancestry, disability, religion, gender, national origin, or sexual orientation.

APPROVED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS 08/13/2012; REVIEWED ON 8/2020

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Confidentiality Policy

Literacy Delaware gives top priority to providing complete confidentiality for its learners, tutors, and volunteers. Learners, tutors, and volunteers are welcome to share their experiences either privately or through the media in order to encourage others to become involved and support Literacy Delaware’s activities; however, they are not allowed to release specific information pertaining to any individual participating in Literacy Delaware's program.

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Literacy Delaware will ensure volunteer and learner confidentiality through monitored file access and by storing all records in a secure location. Individual information will remain confidential unless 1) individual written consent is obtained for release; 2) the individual is a participant in an employer-subsidized literacy program. No information pertaining to an individual learner’s assessment or progress will be released or transferred to another agency at any time without the learner’s permission. General statistical information can be released by Literacy Delaware at any time without written consent in an aggregate report format

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Gift Acceptance Guidelines

Literacy Delaware volunteer tutors and AmeriCorps members shall neither accept nor solicit gifts, gratuities, or favors of any kind that might reasonably be interpreted as an attempt to influence their actions and/or that interfere with or take unfair advantage of their teaching relationship with their learner(s).

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There are some situations in which accepting gifts would be clearly unethical:

• if Literacy Delaware volunteer tutors and AmeriCorps members manipulate learners into thinking that providing gifts is necessary to obtain services that they are already entitled to receive
• if the nature of the gift is inappropriate given the nature of the services

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In some cultures, small gifts are a token of respect and gratitude. When determining whether to accept a gift take into account the relationship, the monetary value of the gift in relation to the learner’s level of wealth and income, the motivation for giving the gift, and the motivation for wanting to accept or decline the gift.

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APPROVED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS 08/13/2012; REVIEWED ON 8/2020

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Whistleblower Policy

In accordance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, no retaliatory organizational action will be taken against those who report truthful information about the commission or possible commission of any Federal offense to a “law enforcement officer” even if the person incorrectly believes that a violation has occurred. The phrase “law enforcement officer” is defined by the Sarbanes-Oxley Act as including any “officer or employee of the Federal Government...authorized under law to engage in or supervise the prevention, detection, investigation, or prosecution of an offense”.

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1. The Whistleblower should promptly report the suspected or actual event to either of the following parties:

• Executive Director
• The Board Chairperson
• Any Member of the Board of Directors

2. The Whistleblower can report the event with his/her identity protected or do so anonymously via mail or through other means of communication.

4. A Whistleblower who makes a report that is not in good faith is subject to discipline, including termination, and any other legal means to protect the reputation of the organization and members of its board and staff.
5. Anyone who retaliates against the Whistleblower (who reported an event in good faith) will be subject to discipline, including termination f Board or employee status.
6. Crimes against person or property, such as assault, rape, burglary, etc.,, should immediately be reported to local law enforcement personnel.
7. The Executive Director and/or Board members who receive a report from a Whistleblower must promptly act to investigate and/or resolve the issue.
8. The Whistleblower who reveals his/her identity shall be notified within five business days of the status or results of the initial investigation, disposition, or resolution of the issue.
9. The identity of the Whistleblower, if known, shall remain confidential to those persons directly involved in applying this policy, unless the issue requires an investigation by law enforcement, in which case members of the organization are subject to subpoena. While Literacy Delaware will make every reasonable effort to protect the identity of any Whistleblower, Literacy Delaware will also cooperate with any law enforcement investigation.

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APPROVED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS 08/13/2012; REVIEWED ON 8/2020

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I will:

• Follow through with my commitment to tutor, be regular and consistent with my attendance, arrive to my tutoring session prepared and on time, and report hours and goals monthly.
• Respect my learner(s) privacy and refrain from making judgmental and/or critical comments and giving unsolicited advice.
• Inform myself of the cultural/religion/customs of the learner if different from my own.
• Contact Literacy Delaware with any questions, concerns, and/or problems.
• Relax and enjoy myself, knowing that I am making a difference in my learner(s) life/lives and the lives of their families.

I will not:

• Transport any learners in my vehicle.
• Hold class in my home, my learner’s home, or any private residence or location.
• Allow children or other guests to attend my class.
• Use sexist, racist, homophobic, prejudicial or vulgar language or humor.
• Attempt to evangelize, proselytize, convince or otherwise convert my learner(s) to religions, political beliefs, or personal values other than their own.
• Engage in harassment of my learner or other volunteers or staff which includes all forms of touching, sexual relations, or romantic relations.
• Take photographs or screenshots during video calls and/or video or audio recordings during in-person and/or virtual tutoring sessions, without explicit written permission from staff, and/or learner.
• Come to my tutoring session under the influence of alcohol or illegal chemical substances.

If you find you are uncomfortable with these guidelines for any reason, please immediately speak to staff. These guidelines are not exhaustive. When in doubt, be cautious and contact staff with questions.

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The Executive Director reserves the right to dismiss any Literacy Delaware volunteer at his/her discretion for any reason, including but not limited to failure to adhere to this code.

APPROVED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS 08/13/2012; REVIEWED ON 8/2020

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To: All Volunteers

From: Marsha L. Tait

President Literacy Volunteers of America, Inc.

Date: 10/22/1997

Subject: Volunteer Protection Act of 1997

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All volunteers should be aware of the Volunteer Protection Act of 1997 (the “Act”), which was signed into law by President Clinton on June 18, 1997. The following information was provided by Robinson, Silverman, Pearce, Ahronson, and Berman (NY, NY):

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The Act protects person volunteering with legitimate non-profit organizations or governmental entities from liability for any injuries or damages caused by the conduct of the volunteer, so long as the volunteer was acting within the scope of his or her responsibilities at the time, with a few exceptions.

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While the Act provides a significant level of comfort to all volunteers, it is important to note what it does not do. The Act DOES NOT protect a volunteer if:

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a. The harm was caused by criminal conduct or gross, willful or reckless misconduct or negligence; harassment, abuse, assault and other misconduct by a volunteer are not (nor should they be) protected.

b. The harm was caused by the volunteer operating an automobile, bus, aircraft or other vehicle for which the State in which the conduct occurs requires the operator or owner to possess a valid license or to maintain insurance. Thus, the Act does not eliminate liability from automobile accidents caused by a volunteer no matter when the accident occurred.

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In addition, if applicable, the volunteer must be properly licensed or otherwise authorized to conduct the activity or practice from which the harm allegedly occurred. The Act does not authorize a volunteer to do something which requires a state license, unless the volunteer is duly licensed.

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Calendar

Literacy Delaware follows each County Library’s Holiday Closing schedule.

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Closing Due to Weather

Literacy Delaware generally follows the closing schedule for each County Library’s closing schedule due to inclement weather. For information check your County’s website, or listen to WDEL 1150 AM or 107.9 FM. Please use your own judgement and comfort level in meeting with your learners if the library or location where you meet is open. Your safety is our top priority!

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Photocopying of Instructional Materials

Please remember that for the most part, Literacy Delaware uses copyrighted materials. They should not be photocopied except as noted below:

Permissible use according to Fair Use Guidelines includes photocopies of the following:

• One chapter of a book
• One article from a periodical or newspaper
• One short story, short essay, or short poem whether or not from a
• collective work
• One chart, graph, diagram, cartoon or picture from a book, periodical or newspaper

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Non-permissible use, use does not generally constitute Fair Use. Permission is needed to copy:

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• More than one chapter or article from a book
• More than one selection from a collection of essays or poems.

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Library Use

We are very appreciative of the use of libraries throughout the state for classes and tutoring. Every library, along with having a different manager, have different policies and procedures to follow. However, as good partners, these are general guidelines we use for every library we have a presence.

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• We use the inter-library mail system to send your materials to your library of choice. They will be in a canvas bag addressed to you from Literacy Delaware. You will get an email when they are sent. We have found that it can take 2 to 3 days to reach a New Castle County library and a week to reach libraries in Kent and Sussex Counties. The library will call you when your materials have arrived.
• When returning materials to the office, you may:
• Personally drop them off at the Wilmington Public Library.
• Send them through the inter-library mail system. Your library should be able to assist you with the canvas bags and address cards. Mark the card To: Literacy Delaware, Wilmington Library From: Your Name

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• When reserving a room at your library, please sign up as Literacy Delaware, Your Name. Library staff will then know you are a volunteer with our organization.

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• In the event you will be unable to keep your tutoring session at your library, please call the library to cancel your room reservation as soon as possible. The rooms are in high demand at some libraries and as good partners we want to be respectful.

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(continued)

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ABE – Adult Basic Education – An instructional program for basic and specific skills for students over the age of 16 and not in day school (usually the precursor program to taking classes at James H. Groves High School, or GED classes). Students typically read at a 6th grade level or above.

Beginning Literacy ABE Level – very beginning level for reading and math

Beginning Literacy ESL Level – very beginning level of ELL student, limited skills.

BR – Basic Reader/Reader An adult in the program working on literacy skills other than English.

EFL – Educational Functioning Level – The national term used for instructional levels in Adult Basic Education. Levels in our program are Beginning Literacy, Low Beginning, High Beginning, Low Intermediate, High Intermediate, Advanced.

ELL – English Language Learner – An adult or child who is learning English. (Current term used).

ESL – English as a Second Language- More commonly used in K-12 school settings.

ESOL - English Speakers of Other Languages – Similar to ESL but reflects that a student knows other languages and is learning English.

GED® - General Education Diploma – A test containing five subsections – math, science, history, language arts and writing an adult takes to obtain a high school credential. Although not equal to a high school diploma, Delaware recognizes it as such.

LACES – Literacy Adult and Community Education System – A data software program used nationally by Adult Education programs; we use LACES to track attendance, demographics, instructional progress, goals and outcomes.

PIAAC -Program for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies – The most up-to-date assessment on reading, numeracy, and technology skills for adults in the US. Compares US to 24 other countries (16th in literacy skills, 22nd in numeracy skills, 17th in technology skills).

CASAS: Comprehensive Adult Student Assessment Systems – CASAS is a competency-based assessment system that is designed to assess the relevant real-world basic skills of adult learners.

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