ERIC Number: EJ1032241
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2014
Pages: 20
Abstractor: As Provided
Reference Count: 47
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1059-308X
Volunteers Supporting Children with Reading Difficulties in Schools: Motives and Rewards
Tracey, Danielle; Hornery, Samantha; Seaton, Marjorie; Craven, Rhonda G.; Yeung, Alexander Seeshing
School Community Journal, v24 n1 p49-68 2014
Research on volunteer mentor programs has demonstrated mostly positive outcomes for mentees. As a result, many schools seek to attract and retain volunteers to assist children in need of support. The researchers interviewed 26 adult volunteers (from Australian companies) who help children with reading difficulties and examined intervention effects on the "mentors" as well as their motives for participating. The researchers found three significant factors that motivated corporate volunteers to engage in mentoring activities: values, understanding, and enhancement. In working individually with children in need of help, the mentors recognized the significance of their mentor role (values). For successful implementation of the program, mentors needed to learn new skills and use them with the mentees (understanding). The interaction between the adult and the child facilitated growth and development for both mentor and mentee (enhancement). To benefit both mentors and mentees, these critical factors should be considered by schools to successfully attract and engage volunteers in mentor programs with a specific educational focus.
Descriptors: Reading Difficulties, Volunteers, Motivation, Rewards, Mentors, Interviews, Educational Benefits, Community Benefits, Employee Attitudes, Individual Development, Skill Development, Participant Satisfaction, Interpersonal Relationship, Educational Resources, Teacher Role, Reading Skills, Self Efficacy, Foreign Countries, Focus Groups, Qualitative Research, Corporate Support
Academic Development Institute. 121 North Kickapoo Street, Lincoln, IL 62656. Tel: 217-732-6462; Fax: 217-732-3696; Web site: http://www.adi.org/journal
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Adult Education; Elementary Secondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers: Australia

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