To help guide family literacy program developers in shaping their curriculum, and educators and community leaders in creating independent parenting programs, this digest describes the parenting education component of successful urban programs. In general, family literacy programs have three basic components: adult education, parenting education, and early childhood education for preschoolers. The parenting skills component of family literacy programs generally includes training parents to be their children's primary teachers and full partners in the children's education and interactive literacy activities involving parents and their children. Usual places of service, curricula, staffing, and ancillary services are described. Ongoing evaluation that includes the perspectives of participants helps ensure the efficacy of a program. (Contains 11 references.) (SLD)