Literacy Links

"ASK TCALL"

Question: I teach adult basic education in a rural Texas town. I have read so much about family literacy programs and how much they enhance learning for both children and their parents. This sounds like just what we need in our community and school. But where do we start? How do we develop a family literacy program to meet our needs?

Answer:

Step 1. Recognize the need. Study the community, school, and population to determine the level of interest in this type of educational program. One of the strengths of family literacy programs is that they can be adapted to meet the specific needs of individual communities.

Step 2. Visit family literacy programs. Call the Clearing house (1-800-441-7323) for information about a program near you.

Step 3. Contact a family literacy center.

Texas Family Literacy Assistance Center at Baylor University
Waco, TX 76798
(817) 775-3857

The National Center for Family Literacy
Louisville, KY 40202-4251
(502) 584-1133

Step 4. Identify key publications that will help you plan your program.

Together We Can: A Guide for Crafting a Profamily System of Education and Human Services. (1993) U.S. Department of Education ISBN 0-16-041721-X

Guide to Quality Even Start Family Literacy Programs. (1996) U.S. Department of Education. Dwyer, RMC Research Corporation.

Assessing Success in Family Literacy Projects. (1994) Holt ISBN 0-937354-85-6.

Family Literacy: Connections in Schools and Communities. (1995) Morrow ISBN 0-87207-127-8.

Outcomes and Measures in Family Literacy Programs. (1996). National Center for Family Literacy. ISBN 1-884458-01-7.

This column was prepared by Ann Martinez, Research Coordinator for the Texas Literacy Resource Center.

Are there other topics you would like to see addressed in this column? Do you have questions? Answers? Comments? If so, send your suggestions: C/O "Ask TCALL" to one of the following addresses:

Mail: TCALL
Texas A&M University
College Station, TX 77843-4477
FAX: (979) 845-0952
E-Mail: s-mcilroy@tamu.edu