This paper reports an original approach to family literacy in two UK men's prisons. Brief consideration of family literacy research precedes consideration of specific issues of imprisonment and literacy, and recent initiatives for incarcerated fathers. The significance of the study lies in the demonstration that theories of early literacy…

Since 2007, nineteen Houston Independent School District (HISD) campuses have partnered with Literacy Now to offer the Reading Intervention program. The Reading Intervention program provides individualized, small group reading tutorials for at-risk students in kindergarten to second grade to create proficient readers by the end of third grade.…

This article describes the development of a family literacy project that involves university preservice teachers creating literacy backpacks. The family literacy project was developed with two objectives: (1) to encourage parent/child participation in literacy activities; and (2) to give preservice teachers the opportunity to develop literacy…

This study was inspired by the literary elements of "cuentos tipicos" (culturally-relevant stories). The book "Prietita y la llorona" ("Prietita and the Ghost Woman") written by Anzaldua (1995) is a good example of a "cuento" that provides information about medicinal herbs and also includes…

The social nature of language learning and development has been widely acknowledged, as has the importance of family relationships in language learning processes. The role that the first language plays in the literacy development of English language learners (ELLs) and their families is irrefutable. Advocates of family literacy programs have…

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…

As part of a larger Australian study on family literacy, this study obtained information about a wide range of family or community literacy initiatives currently in operation in Australia. The study was interested in how the language and literacy learning of students from a variety of schools and communities was influenced by the involvement of…

Involving parents in young children's literacy development is a challenge being met by many school districts. Several programs and strategies are being used at various levels to enhance literacy development and to address literacy needs of parents. Suggestions for preschool children include playing classical music, participating in meaningful…

Describes the Family Literacy Bags program, objectives of which include engaging parents and children in reading and emphasizing parent education by providing instruction on effective ways to support literacy development. Offers recommendations for program implementation and improvement. Notes that the program has been a success and has continued…

Examines early educational interventions aimed at preventing school failure. Presents typology of prevention and intervention. Describes four examples of preventive intervention and critiques their effectiveness, acceptability, and generalization: High Scope, Reading Recovery, Focused Literacy Programme, and parent involvement programs to support…

This guide describes an exemplary program at Niagara Falls, Canada, Secondary School where parents and children use literacy to strengthen their reading and writing abilities while building stronger family relationships. Parents in the program--many of whom have had negative school experiences--learn about early childhood development, discuss…

Investigates effectiveness of the Project Early Access to Success in Education, which includes parent education sessions on assisting their children's developing literacy abilities, at-school parent/child activities, and at-home book-mediated activities. Finds improvement in language skills, with a strong impact on the children who scored low at…

Discusses the goals of Project Family Initiative for English Literacy (FIEL) and the rationale for the model on which it is based. Describes the curriculum and the content of the five-step lessons. Provides an example of one family's literacy growth within the project. (MG)

Evaluated an Even Start project in Maryland, using results from the National Evaluation of the Even Start Family Literacy Program for comparison. Found that participants significantly improved in their literacy skills, and that children of parents in the project were much more likely to be exposed to literacy activities such as library visits.…

Describes how one first-grade teacher developed and carried out a parental involvement program in which parents and children engaged in literate activities during the school day with emphasis on combining the strengths of home literacy with school. Notes the success of the program based on the deep caring of these parents (largely low-income and…