College Reading and Learning Association known as CRLA, is an internationally recognized organization in academic community that certifies tutoring programs across the country. CRLA is a group of student-oriented professionals active in the fields of learning assistance, reading, tutoring, developmental education and mentoring at college level. Its purpose to provide a forum for interchange of ideas, methods and information to enhance learning of students and facilitate the professional growth of its members. The CRLA International Tutor Training Program Certification (IITPC) process is an internationally accepted standard of skills and training for tutors. The certification program has been endorsed by several professional organizations such as National Association for Developmental Education (NADE), Council of Learning Assistance and Developmental Education (CLADEA) and Commission XVI of the American College Personnel Association (ACPA).
Certification Requirements
CRLA International Tutor Training Program Certification (IITPC) serves as a benchmark and standard for marvellous college tutor training programs around the whole world. Tutor training programs certified directly by IITPC affiliated with an institution of higher education for Volunteer Tutors, Peer Tutors, Writing and Speech Consultants and related programs and Embedded Tutors. The Tutor Training Program must demonstrate four general requirements- regulation evaluation, planned training experience, tutoring experience as well as sound hiring and selection practices.
Levels of CRLA Certification
Peer Tutoring Program offers three levels of peer tutor training in accordance to College Reading and Learning Association (CRLA) certification guidelines- CRLA Level 1, CRLA Advanced Level 2 and CRLA Level 3-Master Tutor.
- CRLA Level 1- In order to become certified tutor, we need to cover 10 topics in minimum 10 hours of tutor training. Out of 10 hours, a minimum six hours of training must be Tutor-trainer supervised, Interactive, Live and Real-time means Seminar session or Workshop instruction, Multi-user Virtual Environment but remaining time of training can also use the following- Conferences with tutor supervisor, Special tutor projects, Webcasts, podcasts, wikis, blogs etc.
- CRLA Level 2 – In order to become advanced certified tutor, you must have a proof of completed CRLA level 1 certification and has accrued a minimum of 25/50 contact hours of actual training. It focuses on metacognitive and psychosocial requirements for tutoring.
- CRLA Level 3 – In order to become master certified tutor, you must have a proof of completed CRLA level 1 and level 2 certification. It focuses on holistic view of learning center management techniques (Tutorial Program Services, goals and objectives) and student development theories.
Application process
CRLA main office checks application and payment, when an application is submitted. The Certifications Administrator will reach out to contact provided on application through telephone or e-mail if there are any issues. The application is posted internally along with other applications waiting for review. The mission of CRLA is to complete application reviews in timely manner. Duration of time depends on several factors- clarity and completeness of application, number of applications waiting for review and workload on volunteer reviewers. Recently, most of the applications reviews are completed in 4 to 6 months.
Why should I become CRLA certified?
Once you complete any one of the three levels, you will get CRLA certification, which you can add on your C.V or resume throughout your career. Becoming CRLA certified at Level 1 or Level 2 will also be an eligible requirement for tutoring at any of the Academic Resource Center tutoring labs.
What are the benefits of CRLA training?
CRLA International Tutor Training Program Certification offers numerous benefits for individual tutors, tutorial coordinators and programs. Following are benefits that are possible with CRLA ITTPC.
1.) Benefits to program tutors
- Teaches the basic skills and knowledge for academic support programs and services with best practices.
- Boosts confidence in public speaking, job performance, content area and academic organization.
- Creates a culture of learning to tutors.
- Improves training and evaluation.
- Encourages tutors to view themselves as para-professionals in their work.
2.) Benefits to program administrators
- Initiatives and processes of documents program.
- Generates respect and interest from campus students and colleagues.
- Provides tools for developing a coherent training curriculum.
- Attracts motivated students interested in professional development opportunities.
3.) Benefits to students
- It was reported that students who attend tutoring with trained tutors perform better academically than those who attend tutoring with untrained tutors.
- The students experiences working benefit with someone trained in effective helping strategies, communication skills and structuring the tutoring experience.
- Through participating in a learner-centered experience, the students become more confident as a learner.
4.) Benefits to institution
- It provides quantitative and qualitative data that enriches responses to accreditation standards.
- It creates additional opportunities for students to connect to faculty.
- It increases assurance that tutoring services comply with standards for ethical academic behavior.
- It strengthens connection between curriculum and academic support services.
- Sets as a benchmark for academic support excellence across institution.
Conclusion
To summarize the above text, the main purpose of CRLA Certification Program is to provide tutoring centers with structures for certifying tutors across a multitude of levels. Its members promote the implementation of innovative strategies to enhance student learning.
