THE ASSESSMENT PROCESS is just that — a process. There are steps to follow and different roles for people to take on. Complete and thorough literacy assessment is truly a team effort. It involves staff, volunteers and learners, and each person has an important role to play in the process. In a nutshell, staff are responsible for conducting formal assessment (initial, demonstrations, exit), and volunteers play a vital role in gathering informal (ongoing) assessment information. Staff look at the big picture (training plan) and volunteers focus on the day-to-day activities (lesson plans). Learners are involved and consulted throughout the process.

Sometimes, a volunteer tutor might think he is “just” a volunteer. But volunteers are an essential component in the assessment process! Because they meet with learners on a regular basis, they have the opportunity to get to know them better than a staff member can. As they work together, a relationship of mutual trust develops, and the volunteer will be able to identify areas of strength and weakness. The tutor can then pass on information about the learner’s skills and abilities that will help program staff document progress.

Volunteers can’t do it all, however — nor should they. Staff, volunteers and learners must work together to ensure that learners are working towards their stated goals and that their needs are being met. It really is about teamwork and like any good team, everyone has a job to do and no one job or individual is more important than the other. It is everyone’s skills, experiences and abilities put together that creates that “winning combination”.

It is important for everyone to clearly understand the role each person plays and how volunteers and staff can and should support each other. Because assessment is ultimately a program responsibility, it is the job of the staff to ensure that formal assessments are thorough and accurate and that the results are recorded in the learner’s file. This type of assessment activity is a highly skilled one and requires significant training and experience.(35)

The volunteer’s role is to provide support and regular updates to the staff. Staff members should conduct initial and exit assessments and should also administer demonstration activities. Volunteer tutors should help learners work towards demonstrating their learning and keep staff advised of ongoing progress.