GREATER INDIANAPOLIS LITERACY LEAGUE INC

The goal of Indy Reads and the Community Classrooms program is simply stated: 100% literacy for all. That's a big goal, but we have achievable metrics for our classrooms as we work toward our vision.

We expect 60% of our students to achieve a full level gain — that is, advance one to two grade level equivalencies, depending on their existing literacy skill level — in a single semester. We also expect for 80% of our students to remain committed to and attending classes through the semester. Many students transition from our literacy and ELL classes into a higher level course to earn a High School Equivalency diploma (HSE) or completed an industry-recognized job certification program. The classes offered at Indy Reads help students to meet more immediate educational goals that become building blocks to future technical, trade, or postsecondary programs.

Indy Reads operates the Community Classroom program, an innovative approach to Adult Basic
Education (ABE). We offer classroom sites both in-person and virtually across Marion County, often
co-locating them with organizations who refer students to us: social service agencies, employers,
refugee support centers, and libraries.

Each classroom is led by a professional teacher, who creates individualized learning plans for each student based on their evaluations during orientation. Our next level of classroom leadership - our team of full-time AmeriCorps members - sets us apart from other Adult Basic Education programs. These team members work as instructors, teacher support staff, and one-on-one student tutors. AmeriCorps members provide intensive tutoring,
job readiness evaluation and coaching, as well as assistance with job searches and interview
preparation. Volunteer tutors are trained in our program's instructional methods and also provide regular support to students and instructors in each class.

Beyond our AmeriCorps team, we also employ a full-time Student Navigator who is 100% focused on student success. Our Student Navigator provides a variety of life coaching services to help students overcome barriers to classroom participation and learning success. Through these strategies, Indy Reads provides a holistic learning environment, with wraparound services to assist students overcoming often long-standing and institutionalized barriers to learning and the social and economic mobility education affords.

Students are taught by volunteers who serve week by week in the same classroom, to provide consistency and stability for students, and all classrooms are supported by AmeriCorps members and our Student Navigator, who coordinate student testing, provide additional resources for instructors, and counsel students on their progress and goals.

Indy Reads also actively forges and supports partnerships throughout the community with the goal of reaching even more students. Immigrant Welcome Center, IPS Schools, Catholic Charities, and Brookside Community Church are just a few of the incredible community partners who help ensure our students' success.

The 2021-2022 program year is ongoing, but so far, 2 students have earned their High School Equivalency diplomas while others in the course are progressing toward readiness for the exam. We are also well on our way to meeting our goal to have 60% of students make an educational functioning level gain before the term ends.