Describes a program called "Reaching Out the Write Way" that takes place in an adult basic education literacy program at a maximum-security state prison. Describes how this innovative and low-cost program teaches inmates (many of whom are fathers) both storybook writing and bookmaking. Notes the enthusiastic responses of inmates and…

Family literacy in Britain insists on a view of literacy as schooling rather than a range of social and cultural practices. Correspondence from 1890-1930 illustrates the importance of mothers making their first priority the nourishing of their own appetites for literacy. (SK)

Focuses on materials that would be appropriate for use in campus after-school programs; in programs at neighborhood, community, or church resource centers; or in the home for family literacy. Discusses the value of creating literacy backpacks or writing suitcases that go back and forth between the home and the school. (SG)

The author discusses the influence of video games and other technologies on modern family life, drawing on her own experiences. The implications of digital and other "new" and multiple literacies are described, with reference particularly to the work of Patrick Shannon and James Paul Gee.

The idea for a family literacy event resulted because teachers wanted more time to share reading strategies with parents, and parents wanted more information on how they could support and encourage their children with reading at home. With great success, Holy Cross School, Kemptville, Ontario, hosted a Family Literacy Night that coincided with the…

A large proportion of the UK adult population has very poor literacy and/or numeracy skills (see the 1999 Moser Report, the 2003 "Skills for Life" Survey and the 2006 Leitch report). In 1999, the Moser report found that approximately 20% of adults in England had severe literacy difficulties, whilst around 40% had some numeracy problems.…

This article analyzes a subset of data gathered during a survey of 155 school systems and communities across the nation. The data were obtained from a capability survey as part of the application for a Toyota Family Literacy Program (TFLP) grant. Educators and civic leaders in 38 states responded to questions about their five greatest challenges…

This study explores an holistic approach to family-literacy (FL) programs at community colleges by analyzing federal legislation for the William F. Goodling Even Start Family Literacy Programs. Exemplary state-level programs that incorporate the Even Start Family Literacy Programs into their community college's Adult Basic Education (ABE)…

Describes the scope of evaluation efforts of the Even Start family literacy program to date, summarizing the evaluation strategies, rationale, intended audience, and findings. Discusses the different lenses offered by evaluation at state and local levels. (SLD)

At the community level, literacy improvement can no longer be the mission of a single organization. Successful literacy intervention is a family goal. Many are intrigued with the common sense of the new collaborative literacy programs and hope that they will succeed in breaking the intergenerational cycle of low literacy. (Author/JOW)

A growing body of evidence demonstrates that family learning can contribute to individual, community, employer, and national well-being. Early learning and early intervention provide for the emotional, cognitive, and social development of individuals and creation of social capital. (SK)

This report is California's response to the four questions that the United States Department of Education (USDE), Division of Adult Education and Literacy, requires of all states and territories receiving federal funding from the Adult Education and Family Literacy Act (AEFLA), Title II of the Workforce Investment Act (WIA). The questions…

My paper looks at "signatures" in the form of "ciphers" (kao) and other personal marks made on population registers, town rules, and apostasy oaths in the early seventeenth century to provide some empirical evidence of very high literacy among village leaders. The essay also argues, using the same data, that literacy had…

In America today, a tension exists between the continuing needs of an increasingly diverse population and the constantly dwindling resources available to serve them. This booklet looks at one type of program that provides an answer to the problem of addressing complicated human needs in a cost-effective way: family literacy. Through the stories of…

Analyzes successful family literacy projects. Finds defining characteristics and key features of practice that can be used to establish effective family literacy programs: offers literacy instruction to families, broadly defined; creates strategic recruitment plans; emphasizes retention; creates a supportive environment; and includes ongoing…