One of the primary benefits of keeping good records of adult literacy activities is to motivate the adult learner. Clear records will help the learner see definite progress toward reading goals and so will motivate the student to continue literacy development. For the student's benefit, consider putting records in an easy-to-read format, such as a chart or a graph that clearly shows progress with reading improvement.
Records of activities and student responses will show effectiveness over time. This information is important to planning future lessons. There is little value in repeating ineffective teaching techniques, as they are likely to frustrate the learner and the tutor. On the other hand, successful activities and formats should be repeated as frequently as necessary to maintain student and tutor motivation. It is important to keep records of adult literacy activities to aid planning future lessons.
Every organization needs to show that its members are doing their jobs effectively. Your records from pre- and post-testing, student activities and logs of instructional time will become documentation for your proficiency at your job as tutor. These records will help the parent organization justify the money being spent on training and supplies in relation to student progress, making funding more accessible from donors and grant-making organizations.
Records kept by tutors can be used in aggregate to create statistical proof of the effectiveness of the organization's programming. Volunteer literacy agencies rely on public awareness of their mission and effectiveness to maintain their operations. Positive public perception encourages new volunteers to step forward to be a part of an important, growing organization. Public awareness also encourages prospective students to come forward for assistance. If persons who need assistance with reading are convinced that the organization can actually fulfill its promise of help, they will be more inclined to initiate and maintain the effort required to improve their reading skills.
Nearly all literacy organizations are non-profit agencies that do not charge for their services. Since it costs money to operate these programs, many rely on grants to meet their expenses. Grant-making foundations base disbursement of funds on an application process that requires organizations to show evidence of their successful programs. Records kept from tutoring sessions will help pave the way for grant-writing success. In addition, grants that have already been awarded generally require progress reports that show the success of the program that was funded. Tutors' records provide important information for the entire process of writing and receiving grant money.