The Catalyst

Fall 2001

ACEE Expands to Five Schools in 2001

In 1994, the Charles A. Dana Center at The University of Texas at Austin and the AmeriCorps for Community Engagement and Education (ACEE) program first came together with Austin Independent School District (AISD) to make a difference in the lives of young school children who struggled with reading.

This collaboration led to the implementation of a research-based literacy intervention program in two AISD elementary schools, Allison and Sanchez.

Today, in 2001, the ACEE program has grown to include 49 AmeriCorps members and five Austin elementary schools: Blackshear, Houston, Widˆ©n, Oak Springs, and Sims. This year, ACEE and AISD are teaming up as part of the Read for Texas project, a federally funded $2.2 million program aimed at improving the reading and writing skills of children attending low-income schools.

The goal of the ACEE program is to provide a high-quality, comprehensive, bilingual literacy tutoring program that supports students, families, and the community. With ongoing support and training from literacy specialists, ACEE members work in the classroom to provide literacy tutoring for students in kindergarten through third grade. Tutoring takes place in both one-to-one and small group sessions.

"They give extra academic help to our students," Sanchez Elementary Assistant Principal Pam Clinger said of her experience with ACEE tutors. "AmeriCorps members also force teachers to look at their own teaching methods, as well as learn from what the members are bringing into the classroom. They do such a good job and provide a wonderful service to the kids."

ACEE members also work outside of the classroom to promote literacy. The Blackshear Reading Club, Family Fun Nights, and other after-school programs provide educational enrichment activities to students and parents at the five schools.

In addition, ACEE members participate in and help organize educational community service projects such as Austin Science Fun Day, Dˆ‚a de los niˆ±os/Dˆ‚a de los libros, and other projects. ACEE strives to engage family and community members as well as community-based organizations to support each school’Äôs educational objectives.

—Cynthia Tom, ACEE Member 2001