Thu, 01 Oct 2026 20:22:05 -0500WeeblyWed, 30 Sep 2026 19:26:26 GMThttps://www.ccvliteracy.org/resources/what-it-takes-to-keep-learning-moving-forwardWhen people think about adult literacy, they usually think about reading tutoring. 

Tutoring is part of what we do at CCVL, but there is more that goes into helping student get started and keep making progress. 

It usually begins with intake. 

When a student first reaches out, we start with a conversation about what they want help with and what they are working toward. That might be reading, writing, math, English, digital skills, preparing for a job, taking the next step in school, or building confidence with everyday tasks. 

From there, we complete intake and assessment so we can have a better idea of where to begin. 

That process helps us understand more than just skill level. It also helps us learn about scheduling, transportation, work demands, family responsibilities, and other barriers that may affect how often a student can come in or what kind of support will work best. 

Once we have that information, we can start building a plan. 

Not every student needs the same thing. 

Some students benefit from meeting regularly with a volunteer tutor. Others need materials they can work on at home between meetings. Some do best with guided online curriculum that gives them structure and allows them to keep learning even when they cannot be in the office as often. 

That flexibility matters. 

A student may be more motivated and ready to learn, but still face obstacles that make regular in-person attendance difficult. Transportations, work schedules, childcare, health needs, and other responsibilities can all affect how someone participates. 

That is why access to learning materials matters so much. 

The right workbook, assessment tool, printed practice, or online curriculum can help a student keep moving forward from home while still staying connected at CCVL. It allows learning to continue between tutoring sessions and gives students a way to work at a pace that fits their real life. 

Volunteer tutors are an important part of that support too.

They help students work through lessons, practice skills, ask questions, and stay focused on goals. Behind the scenes, we also spend time choosing materials, helping tutors prepare, following up with students and adjusting plans when something is not working. 

The goal is not to put every student into the same system. 

The goal is to figure out what will help that individual student keep learning and them make that support as practical and accessible as possible. 

That is also one of the reasons community support matters. Financial support helps us purchase learning materials, maintain curriculum licenses, and provide resources that allow students to continue learning no matter their starting point or the barriers they may be facing. 

Keeping learning moving forward often takes more than one lesson. 

It takes the right starting point, the right matters, and flexible support that fits the student. 

To learn more about our mission, programs and services, email info@ccvliteracy.org or call (479) 474-4594
]]>Tue, 01 Sep 2026 18:42:51 GMThttps://www.ccvliteracy.org/resources/adult-education-is-more-than-going-back-to-schoolWhen you hear the words adult education, you might think about going back to school. 

But adult education can mean many things. 

Maybe you want to improve your reading or math. Maybe you want to learn English, use a computer, prepare for a test, or build skills for work.

You don't have to know what class or program you need before you contact CCVL.

You can start with one question: What would you like to improve?

Start With Your Goal
People come to CCVL for many different reasons. 

You may want to:
​• Improve your reading, writing, or math
• Learn to use a computer, phone, or online tools
​• Practice speaking, reading, or writing English
• Prepare for a driver's license test
• Prepare for the U.S. citizenship test and interview
• Fill out online forms or job applications
• Build skills for work or job training
• Prepare for your next step in education

Your goal doesn't have to be the same as anyone else's.

Start Where You Are
You don't have to know your reading level. You don't have to remember everything you learned in school. You don't even have to know which CCVL program is right for you. 

We'll help you figure that out. 

When you first connect with us, we'll talk about what you'd like to work on and what you already know. 

​We may also use a short assessment to help us find a good starting point. It isn't about passing or failing. It simply helps us choose learning materials that fit your current skills. 

Learning Looks Different for Everyone
There isn't one way to learn at CCVL.

You might work with a volunteer tutor. You might use an online learning program on the computer or phone. You may use books or other learning materials. Sometimes a combinations works best. 

You might start by learning to use a computer and later decide you want help with online job applications. You might begin by practicing English and later want to prepare for citizenship. 

You can work on the skills that matter to you. 

Building Skills for Work or Training
Adult Education can also help you prepare for work, training, or your next step in education. 

Reading, math, English, and computer skills are used in many workplaces. You may want to practice using email, filling out online applications, understanding workplace information, improving your math, or becoming more comfortable using a computer. 

CCVL also offers workforce readiness opportunities, including WAGE programming for eligible learners.

You don't need to know which program you need. Start by telling us your goal.

Is There a Cost?
CCVL's programs and learning materials are free for our adult learners. 

​You don't have to decide what you're "going back to school."

Maybe there is simply something you'd like to improve. 

That's enough of a reason to get started.

​Crawford County Volunteers for Literacy provides free, individualized learning opportunities for adults in Crawford County, Arkansas.

Visit www.ccvliteracy.org, call (479) 474-4594, or email info@ccvliteracy.org to learn more. 
]]>Tue, 25 Aug 2026 19:02:04 GMThttps://www.ccvliteracy.org/resources/early-literacy-doesnt-have-to-be-complicatedLiteracy is something we often associate with school, but learning starts long before a child walks into a classroom. It also doesn’t stop when we become adults.

At Crawford County Volunteers for Literacy, our primary focus is helping adults work toward their individual literacy and learning goals. Many of the adults in our community are also parents, grandparents, and caregivers who play an important role in their children’s learning. 

That is where family literacy fits into our work.

What Does Family Literacy Look like at CCVL?

Our goal with family literacy isn’t turning parents into teachers or add another responsibility to an already busy day. 

Instead, we want to support the adults we serve by providing practical resources and ideas they can use with their children while continuing to work toward their own goals. 

A parent might be improving their own reading skills while also learning simple ways to enjoy books with a young child. An adult learning English might practice new words and conversations at home with their family. Someone building digital skills might become more comfortable navigating the technology their child’s school uses. 

Adult learning and family learning don’t have to happen separately. 

Early Literacy Doesn’t Have to Be Complicated

Parents and caregivers are already doing many things that support early learning without necessarily thinking of them as “literacy activities.”

Talking about the colors you see while driving, counting toys while cleaning up, making a story together, pointing out letters on a sign, or asking a child about their day can all create opportunities to practice language and communication. 

Reading together is another great way to encourage early literacy. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends shared reading beginning at birth and continuing through at least kindergarten. According to AAP, reading together supports children’s language and literacy development while also encouraging cognitive and social-emotional development and positive interactions between children and their caregivers. 

Research reviewed by the AAP has also connected reading with children during infancy and the preschool years with stronger language skills at school entry.  Earlier shared reading has been associated with stronger preschool language skills and greater interest in reading. 

But “reading together” doesn’t always mean reading every word on every page. 

Families can talk about the pictures, ask questions, make up their own stories, let a child turn the pages, or wonder together about what might happen next.  The interaction is an important part of the experience. 

These are simple things families can work into everyday life without needing a special curriculum or lesson plan. 

Literacy Matters Here in Crawford County

Literacy isn’t only a childhood issue. It continues to affect families throughout our community. 

According to county-level estimates from the Program for the International Assessments of Adult Competencies (PIAAC), approximately 21% of adults in Crawford County are estimated to have literacy skills at or below Level 1. The Adult Learning Alliance of Arkansas reports these estimates using data from the National Center for Education Statistics’ PIAAC skills Map. 

That doesn’t mean 21% of adults in Crawford County cannot read.

PIAAC looks at literacy as a range of skills. At Level 1, adults may be able to read relatively short text and locate basic information while having more difficultly with increasingly complex reading tasks. The National Center for Education Statistics defines literacy more broadly as the ability to understand, evaluate, use and engage with written text to accomplish goals and participate in society. 

Those skills matter in everyday life. Reading can be part of filling out paperwork, understanding information from work or school. Using technology, preparing for additional education, and helping children with their own learning. 

It’s one of the reasons conversations about adult literacy and children’s literacy belong together. 

Supporting Adults Supports Families

As we continue developing family literacy opportunities at Crawford County Volunteers for literacy, we want to keep the adult learner at the center of that work. 

Our goal is to give parents and caregivers additional tools they can use at home, create opportunities for families to enjoy literacy together, and make books and learning recourses more accessible to the adults we serve and their children.

Most importantly, we want families to know that supporting literacy at home doesn’t have to look perfect. 

It can look like reading a favorite book again. Talking about a picture. Counting something while making dinner. Learning a new word together. Asking a child to tell you about their day. 

Small moments of talking, reading, playing, and learning together can become part of everyday family life.

And when an adult decides they want to support reaching one of their own learning goals, we’re here for that too.

Crawford County Volunteers for Literacy provides free, individualized adult edudcaiotn services for adults working on reading, math, English, computer skills, education and worforce preparation, and other personal learning goals. 

To learn more about our services or family literacy efforts, contact us at info@ccvliteracy.org



​
Sources & Further Reading
American Academy of Pediatrics. Literacy Promotion: An Essential Component of Primary Care Pediatric Practice: Policy Statement. Pediatrics, 2024.
Includes the AAP's recommendations for shared reading beginning at birth and research on the relationship between shared reading, language development, early literacy, and school readiness.
American Academy of Pediatrics. Literacy Promotion: An Essential Component of Primary Care Pediatric Practice: Technical Report. Pediatrics, 2024.
Reviews research on shared reading and children's language, cognitive, social-emotional, and early literacy development.
National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). U.S. PIAAC Skills Map: State and County Indicators of Adult Literacy and Numeracy.
Provides state and county estimates of adult literacy and numeracy proficiency.
Adult Learning Alliance of Arkansas. Understanding the PIAAC.
Provides Arkansas county-level PIAAC literacy and numeracy estimates, including the estimate that 21% of adults in Crawford County are at or below Level 1 literacy.
]]>Fri, 17 Jul 2026 17:19:37 GMThttps://www.ccvliteracy.org/resources/thinking-about-learning-something-new-heres-what-your-first-visit-looks-likeStarting something new can bring a lot of questions. If you're been thinking about improving your reading, math, English, computer skills, or working toward a personal goal, you may be wondering what happens after you contact us.

​At Crawford County Volunteers for Literacy (CCVL), we want getting started to feel simple and welcoming. Here's what you can expect during your first visit. 

Do I need to know exactly what I want to learn?
Not at all! Some contact us with a very specific goal, like preparing for their driver's license or Arkansas High School Diploma. Others simply low that want to improve a skill but aren't sure where to begin. That's okay!

Your first visit is about having a conversation. We'll learn more about what you'd like to accomplish and help you explore the best path forward. 

What will be talk about?
We'll spend some time getting to know you. We may ask questions like:
- what you'd like to accomplish
- your schedule
- your previous education or learning experiences
- any questions or concerns you have
There's no right or wrong answer. This conversation simply helps us understand how we can best support you.

Will I have to take a test?
Sometimes, yes but probably not what you're imagining. Depending on your goals, we may ask you to complete a few simple activities that help us understand your current skills.

These aren't pass-or-fail tests.  There are no grades. 

The purpose isn't to judge what you know. It's to help up recommend learning materials and activities that match where you're starting. 

Did you know?
Many people think adult literacy programs are only for earning a high school diploma. In realty, learners come to CCVL for many different reasons, including:
- improving reading or writing
- strengthening math skills
- learning English
- becoming more confident using a computer
- preparing for additional education or workforce training
- working toward personal goals, like earning a driver's license

Every learner's goals are different and your learning plan will be too!

What happens after your first visit?
Once we've learned more about your goals and current skills, we'l recommend the next steps. 

Depending on your needs, that may include working with a trained volunteer tutor, using online learning programs, practicing independently between sessions, or participating in other learning opportunities offered by CCVL. 

We'll work together to find an approach that fits your goals and your schedule. 

How long will it take?
Every learner's journey is different. Some people work toward a short-term goal over a few weeks. Others continue learning for several moths. Progress isn't about moving quickly.  It's about continuing to move forward.

What if I'm nervous?
You're not the only one. Many learners tell us they felt unsure before contacting us. Starting something new can feel scary, especially if it's been years since you've been in a learning environment. Our goal is to create a welcoming place where you can ask questions, learn at your own pace, and build confidence one step at a time. 

​Is there a cost?
No. Thanks to grants, donations, and community support, all of our programs and services are provided free of charge. 

Ready to take the first step?
You don't have to have all the answers before getting started. Whether you're working toward a personal goal, preparing for additional education, or workforce training, improving everyday skills, or simply wanting to learn something new, we're here to help.

Contact Crawford County Volunteers for Literacy today to learn more about our free programs and how to get started. ]]>Sun, 28 Jun 2026 03:27:53 GMThttps://www.ccvliteracy.org/resources/5-everyday-ways-adult-education-can-help-you-reach-your-goalsWhether you’re looking for a new job, helping your child with homework, learning English, or simply looking to feel more confident using a computer, learning doesn’t just end when you leave school.

For nearly 40 years, Crawford County Volunteers for Literacy (CCVL) has provided free adult education services to adults throughout Crawford County. Every learner reaches out to us with a different story and individualized goals. Some are looking to prepare for additional education or workforce training. Others want to improve reading, writing, math, or digital skills they use every day.  Many want to learn something new to make big changes in their life.

Adult Education isn’t about where you start.  It’s all centered around your goals and where you want to go.

If any of these circumstances sound familiar, adult education may be a helpful step toward reaching your goals.

1. You’re Working Toward a New Career or Better Job
Learning new skills can definitely open new doors.

Many Employees look for applicants who are comfortable reading workforce information, completing online applications, communicating through email, and continuing to learn on the job. Some careers also require certifications or additional training.

Adult education can help you strengthen the foundational skills needed to prepare for those opportunities. Whether your goal is finding a new job, earning a promotion, or preparing for workforce training, building your skills today can help you prepare for tomorrow.

2. You Want to Feel More Comfortable Using Technology
Technology has become part of everyday life.

Applying for jobs, scheduling doctor’s appointments, checking email, paying bills, and communicating with schools often happen online. For many adults, technology continues to change faster than they can keep up.

CCVL offers digital literacy support to help adult build confidence using computers, navigating the internet, completing online forms, and using everyday technology.

Learning technology doesn’t require previous experiences. Every learner starts somewhere, and we’re here to help wherever that point is.

3. You Want to Support Your Children or Grandchildren
Children benefit when the adults in their lives enjoy learning too.

You don’t have to know all the answers to make a difference. Reading together, helping with homework, talking about school, simply showing that learning matters can have a huge impact on a child’s education.

Many adults tell us they want to feel more confident helping a child read, understand school assignments, or communicate with teacher. Adult education can help build those skills while creating positive learning experiences for the whole family.

As CCVL continues expanding our family literacy efforts, we’re exciting to provide more opportunities that help families learn and grow together.

4. You’re Ready to Continue Your Education
Many Adults decide to return to learning later in life.

Some are preparing for their Arkansas High School Diploma. Others want to attend college, complete workforce training, or earn certifications for a new career.

No matter what your educational goals are, building stronger reading, writing, math, and digital skills creates a foundations for a successful future.

It is never too late to continue learning.

5. You Want More Confidence in Everyday Life
Adult education isn’t only about school learning.

The skills we use every day matter just as much.

Reading instructions, filling out forms, understanding mail, creating a budget, communicating at work, or learning how to use a new device are all examples of skills that make everyday life a little easier.

Every learner has difference goals and every goal is important.

Learning Looks Different for Everyone
At Crawford County Volunteers for Literacy, we believe learning should be individualized and meet our learners where they are.

That is why we provide individualized instruction based on each learner’s goals rather than following a one-size-fits-all program. Whether someone wants to improve reading, strengthen math skills, learn English as a Second Language (ESL), build digital literacy skills, or prepare for future educational oppurtunities, our staff and volunteer tutors work together to create a plan that fits their needs.

For nearly four decades, CCVL has helped adults throughout Crawford County continue learning, build confidence, and work toward the goals that matter most to them.

Ready to Learn More?
If you’ve been thinking about continuing your education or building new skills, we’re love to help answer your questions.

Visit our Enrollment page to learn how to becoming a student, explore our other Resources to learn more about adult education, or visit our Volunteer page if you’re interested in helping adults reach their goals through one-on-one tutoring.

You can also contact our office at (479) 474-4594 or stop by by 2925 Alma Highway, Suite 9, Van Buren, AR to learn more about the free adult education services available through CCVL.

No matter your goal, taking the first step is often the hardest. We’re here to help! ]]>