WRI Past Projects . . .

Education and Literacy

Assessment of the Gannett Foundation's Literacy Challenge Grants — In 1992, WRI completed an assessment of the Gannett Foundation's adult literacy initiatives which took place over three years in 20 states and Puerto Rico. The emphasis was on identifying and documenting best practices among grantees. Upon completion of site visits and file reviews, WRI produced three documents: a comprehensive description of programs and activities; a catalog of all products; and an analysis of the states efforts including a review of literacy issues.

"City Family/La Familia de la Ciudad" — In 1992, WRI received a grant from the Morgan Guaranty Trust Company of New York Charitable Trust to support the printing of 10,000 copies (5,000 in English; 5,000 in Spanish) of this magazine targeted to low-income women with low-level reading skills. The magazine was distributed through the City's "waiting rooms" such as those of the Health and Hospitals Corporation, immigrant offices, and private hospitals and clinics.

Training Material on Instructional Leadership — WRI developed a viewer's guide, a presenter's guide, and a trainer's guide to accompany the showing of a videotape on Instructional Leadership produced by the State Education Department for its Schools That Work program in 1992. The curriculum explores the variables necessary for a "school that works" including mission, teamwork, self-esteem, communication, school climate, and striving for achievement.

Workplace Literacy Programs — WRI researched and compiled two reports on workplace literacy programming for the New York State Governor's Office of Employee Relations and the Civil Service Employees Association in the 1990's. One was a review of assessment instruments used in workplace literacy programs, and the other was a directory of potential funding sources for workplace literacy initiatives.