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The Literacy Volunteers of America, Inc. (LVA) Board of Directors has notified the St. James ESL (English as a Second Language) Program that it has achieved LVA Accreditation for its comprehensive program of quality and accountability standards. The LVA is a national not-for-profit organization, managed by professionals, which delivers local literacy services through a network of more than 350 community programs which support more than 50,000 volunteers and more than 70,000 adult literacy students

“In achieving accreditation, the St. James ESL Program has demonstrated its ability to meet the highest standards of excellence in providing literacy services to its students and volunteers,” stated Marsha L. Tait, LVA president. “The Accreditation Award means that the St. James ESL Program provides effective nonprofit management, excellent volunteer tutor training, and quality literacy instruction. Not only has this organization distinguished itself as a leader among the more than 350 literacy affiliates of LVA, but the St. James ESL Program has identified itself as an outstanding nonprofit organization in this community.”

Conferred for the period of 2000 through 2002, the Accreditation Award was approved by the LVA National Board on October 31, 2000, after the St. James ESL Program completed months of intensive documentation of its program. The affiliate supplied evidence that it meets the requirements of 18 quality standards and 10 scored standards in the areas of organization, finance, personnel and program management. Trained LVA surveyors conducted an on-site review of all documentation and completed interviews of key leaders, staff, volunteers and students. Surveyor reports were presented to the LVA Accreditation Review Committee, which recommended that St. James ESL Program receive the LVA Accreditation Award.

The LVA Accreditation Initiative was established in 1995 in response to a survey of literacy, business and community leaders.

Christopher J. Koehler heads St. James ESL Program.