ERIC Number: ED324468
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 1990
Pages: 89
Abstractor: N/A
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
Bethlehem Area Chamber of Commerce Literacy Project 1989-1990.
Bethlehem Area Chamber of Commerce, PA.
The Bethlehem Area Chamber of Commerce, using a grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Education, developed a model program to demonstrate the effectiveness of a business-based network to improve the literacy level of the local work force. The project involved increasing business member awareness of literacy needs, creating linkages among providers and businesses, and expanding work force literacy instruction. The project first hired a half-time literacy coordinator who identified all local literacy programs and their areas of emphasis and distributed this information to individuals, businesses, and agencies. The second major activity involved either initiating or participating in Chamber-sponsored events to give them a literacy focus. Third, the coordinator served as a consultant/resource to member businesses, providing information, offering referrals, or conducting company assessments. Finally, the Chamber served as a neutral force in representing various literacy programs and in promoting literacy involvement. Cooperating actively in this program were 8 Northampton County literacy providers, 132 businesses, and 27 agencies. At the close of the project, 210 organizations (134 Chamber members) had participated in literacy activities, 5 new worksite programs had been established, and 2 company literacy audits had been conducted. Literacy information was supplied to more than 1,100 Chamber members with a potential of reaching 30,000 employees. The number of participants in local literacy programs increased to the point that waiting lists were necessary for most providers. (Materials developed for the program are included in this document.) (Author/KC)
Publication Type: Reports - Descriptive
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: Pennsylvania State Dept. of Education, Harrisburg. Div. of Adult Basic and Literacy Education Programs.
Authoring Institution: Bethlehem Area Chamber of Commerce, PA.
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A