Noting that the urgency to break the cycle of illiteracy in the United States has been substantiated by the passing of federal acts such as the National Literacy Act of 1991, this paper presents annotations of 30 items from the ERIC database related to family literacy programs. Annotations in the paper are organized into six sections--overview,…

Rural and urban family literacy programs share similar challenges in helping families work through obstacles to participation, such as transportation and childcare. However, the scope and nature of these challenges and the program management strategies to deal with them differ in rural and urban settings. Some of the most creative solutions to…

When adults share picture books with young children, they build their lifelong literacy and enjoyment of reading. In beautiful full color, the new edition of this popular book will help recognize quality in children's literature and illustration and see how to use picture books to best advantage. Following an introduction, this book is organized…

This study evaluated an innovative family literacy program in Bullitt County, KY, USA. Data sources included attendance sign-in sheets, pre- and post TABE test scores, GED success, gender, age, and ethnicity, and grant applications. The evidence suggested that since 1998, the program increasingly attracted proportionally more males, GED completion…

This report (together with a minority view and a dissenting view) presents the Reading Excellence Act (H.R. 2614). The act is designed to improve the reading and literacy skills of children and families by improving inservice instructional practices for teachers who teach reading, to stimulate the development of more high-quality family literacy…

This guide provides a framework and suggestions for strengthening the quality and impact of parenting education services in Even Start. It is aimed at Even Start state coordinators and local program administrators responsible for supporting and monitoring the quality of parenting education services in Even Start, and at local program staff…

Even Start is a federally funded program addressing the literacy needs of children and parents by offering parenting education, early childhood education, parent and child together time, and adult education. Noting that recent research on brain development and learning prompts a reexamination of beliefs and practices related to child rearing,…

Sharing research completed during a practicum project, this resource guide presents ideas, suggestions, and references to enhance children's and educators' repertoire of reading strategies. It lists 50 ways to encourage reading and writing connections at home; presents 10 reading strategies for unknown words; offers 17 suggestions for literacy…

Investigates the thoughts, judgements, and beliefs concerning literacy of two non-reading adults, parents of a son having reading difficulties. Discusses what was influential in improving the parents' willingness to attempt reading, and what happened as their perceptions of literacy evolved and changed. (SR)

Describes four aspects of a Mexican immigrant's life in the United States as he works on learning a new language. Describes Rafael as a hard-working employee, an active community member, an enquiring student, and a caring family man. Describes the Harvest America family reading program, the beginning English class curriculum, and Rafael's progress…

Reviews global statistics on illiteracy. Highlights to objectives of UNESCO's International Literacy Year. Discusses the trend toward intergenerational or family literacy programs in the U.S., as exemplified by Head Start, Even Start, and the parent-children literacy efforts of Sharon Darling. (DMM)

Summarizes five documents and four articles in the ERIC database that examine parents' involvement in their children's education. Topics include strategies for better parenting, school readiness, increasing parent involvement, and parent education programs. (MDM)

A systems perspective of adult literacy assessment stresses use of comprehensive, holistic strategies. For literacy methods, systems theory emphasizes the holistic nature of the adult in relation to the complex web of systems. Systems theory applied to materials reflects the plurality of literacies and the need for a variety of materials. (SK)

Examines the responsiveness of the adult education component in urban family literacy programs in the Midwest. Finds that most of the programs were aware of the concept of responsive, family-centered programs; however, their practices did not support such an approach. (NH)

Presents a study in which both fathers and mothers of four year olds were presented with 14 children's books representing various genres and were asked to select the five books they would read to their children. Gives reasons for their selections. Finds that there were some differences between mothers'/fathers' book selection and some differences…