Kathy Houghton had a dilemma. The state of New York was no longer funding the most basic level of math education. However, Houghton, director of program services for Literacy New York, served learners who needed just that—introductory math education.

"Some of our folks come in at a very low level of math skills and need a place to start," Houghton says. "We want to be that starting place and then let them move on to traditional education centers."

The answer to Houghton’s quandary arrived through Tony and Sue Buttino, educational consultants for Kentucky Educational Television (KET). They introduced Houghton to Math Basics, a series of videos and workbooks for pre-GED learners that KET has carried for many years.

"We saw an opportunity to add something more to what our tutors can provide," Houghton says of her purchase.

The next step was just a few feet away.

"We have a KET trainer with an office right next door," Houghton says. The trainer, Ann Marie Przybyl, is also director of the Western New York Professional Development Consortium. (Read more about Przybyl in GED Day Camp story on page one.)

Houghton contracted with Przybyl to train trainers in two regions of the state so they could then train the volunteer tutors who work directly with learners.

Przybyl worked with Sue Hensley-Cushing, director of the Literacy New York capitol region (one of five regions), and Liz Allen, Literacy New York’s educational director.

"The capitol district decided to run with this," Houghton says. "They created a four-hour workshop for their tutors. They have trained about 27 volunteer math tutors to work with Math Basics, and are going to get 30 more trained using the workbooks and the DVDs. The workbooks have been very well received. The DVDs require a little more thought since tutors often work in libraries and need a private place to play a DVD."

Once trained, the tutors work one-to one with learners. Houghton believes the materials can be just as effective in a small group setting and she is getting ready to try that as well.

Math Basics is now available on DVD. For more information, contact Cynthia Barton at 800.354.9067. For more information on Literacy New York, contact Kathy Houghton at 716.631.5282.