Even Start Family Literacy Programs Break Cycle of Illiteracy
by Renee De Mars-Johnson, Office of Early Childhood Education and Family Services
 Comprehensive family literacy programs continually prove to be effective in improving student performance. Family literacy programs have been shown to improve children’s reading comprehension, boost library visits, and increase family connections to schools and the community.*
In Michigan, 41 communities offer programs through the Even Start Family Literacy Initiative (Even Start). These programs, authorized and funded through Title I of the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB), are designed to help break the cycle of poverty and illiteracy by improving educational opportunities for low-income families.
Even Start programs require collaboration among school personnel, adult educators, and family support service providers. Library and community agency staffs are also valuable collaborators. The programs integrate four key family literacy components:
- Early childhood education.
- Adult literacy or adult basic
education.
- Parenting education.
- Parent/Child interactive literacy activities.
Within each family, one adult and one child age birth through seven receive primary
services. Other family members receive indirect service benefits. Michigan expects to award a total of $6.8 million dollars to approximately 34 new and continuing Even Start programs during 2004-2005. Programs receive funding for up to four years at a time, provided they make sufficient progress toward meeting goals. Programs can then apply for second, third, and fourth rounds of grants for a total of 16 years of funding. However, recipients must provide an increasing amount of local matching funds during each four-year grant cycle.
For more information, visit the Even Start Family Literacy Initiative Web site at
www.familyliteracy.org or contact Renee De Mars-Johnson, State Even Start Coordinator, Michigan Department of Education, Office of Early Childhood Education and Family Services, P.O. Box 30008, Lansing, MI 48909, (517) 373-8483, demars-johnsonr@michigan.gov.
*Throughout the United States, studies by the National Center for Family Literacy, the National Institute for Literacy, and private foundations have consistently demonstrated positive outcomes from family literacy programs.
Source: Families Learning Together, Michigan Even Start Statewide Family Literacy Initiative.
What Are the Hallmarks of Early Childhood Instruction?
-
The cognitive, social, emotional, and
physical developments of children
receive attention so that each aspect
of a child’s development is mutually
supported.
-
Class size and adult-child ratios
allow for more teacher-child inter-
action and individualization in
supporting each child’s development.
-
The curriculum and teaching approach
are well planned and intentioned to
help children cumulatively master
more complex skills and knowledge.
-
Teachers are prepared before they
enter the field and receive ongoing
professional development in early
childhood development and education
and receive compensation that
reflects their education and training.
-
Families are treated as partners in
their children’s development and
learning both at home and in the
out-of-home programs [their children] attend.
Source: National Association for the Education
of Young Children, 1509 16th St., N.W., Washington, DC 20036-1426, (202) 232-8777, (800) 424-2460, or www.naeyc.org.
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