
ERIC Number: ED410037
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 1997-Jan
Pages: 282
Abstractor: N/A
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
National Evaluation of the Even Start Family Literacy Program. 1995 Interim Report.
Tao, Fumiyo; And Others
Even Start is a family-centered national literacy program whose goal is to break the cycle of poverty and illiteracy by expanding the educational opportunities available to low-income families with limited educational experiences. To reach this goal, all Even Start projects provide services in each of three core areas: adult education, parenting education, and early childhood education. As part of the second national evaluation of Even Start, this report focuses on data for the 1994-95 program year, relating results to previous program years where appropriate. The report addresses changes in the characteristics of participating families, the kinds and intensity of services provided and received, and the results of participation for parents and children. The 10 chapters discuss: (1) program background and organization of the report; (2) components of the previous and current national evaluations, including an overview of the findings from the previous evaluation and research questions guiding this evaluation; (3) characteristics of program participants; (4) descriptions of educational and support services Even Start projects offer to the participating families; (5) the extent of participation by Even Start families in the services offered; (6) characteristics of families most in need and the extent of their participation in the Even Start program; (7) educational and developmental outcomes of Even Start participants; (8) the potential influence of various project characteristics and service delivery practices on participants' educational progress; (9) how the program is implemented; and (10) a summary of key findings. This summary notes that the Even Start program has undergone a steady expansion in the size and the areas of service delivery and that there are preliminary indications that Even Start services are helping to improve parents' academic skills and children's language development. (Contains 29 references and appendices containing Even Start legislation and additional data tables.) (LPP)
Descriptors: Adult Basic Education, Adult Education, Adults, Disadvantaged Environment, Disadvantaged Youth, Early Childhood Education, Family Characteristics, Family Literacy, Family Needs, Family Programs, Integrated Services, Intervention, Language Acquisition, Literacy, Literacy Education, Parent Education, Parenting Skills, Parents, Preschool Children, Program Effectiveness, Program Evaluation, Program Implementation, School Readiness, Services
Publication Type: Reports - Evaluative
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: Department of Education, Washington, DC. Planning and Evaluation Service.
Authoring Institution: Abt Associates, Inc., Bethesda, MD.; Fu Associates, Ltd.
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A