Growing Readers through Family Literacy

Growing Readers through Family Literacy

Colleen Alles & Shay Kraley

Literacy Center of West Michigan

Colleen Alles,Head Start for Kent County partnerships

Shay Kraley, Grand Rapids Public Schools & Godwin Heights partnerships

Adult Tutoring

Family Literacy

Community Literacy Initiative

Customized Workplace English

Iglesias de Esperanza

One-on-one tutoring for adults in language skills. Occurs weekly at local libraries.

Partnerships with Head Start and schools.

Coalition uniting agencies to improve literacy for all ages.

Group classes and business services for adults in language and employability.

Language instruction to Spanish-speaking churches and clergy.

The Impact of Adult Low Literacy

Thinking globally

*Statistics collated by Project Read

The Impact of Adult Low Literacy Thinking nationally

The Impact of Adult Low Literacy

Thinking locally:

21% of adults in Grand Rapids are low literate.

14% of adults in Kent County are low literate.

The Impact on the Family• According to the NCFL, low family income

and a mother’s lack of education are the two biggest risk factors that hamper a child’s early learning and development.

The Impact on the Family• If a third-grader is not reading at grade-

level by the end of third grade, they are at risk of:• Remaining poor readers through high school• Having low self-esteem and lack of motivation

to learn• Dropping out of high school• Not attending college

Limited education and low literacy are intergenerational cycles that are

very difficult to break.

*Community Literacy Initiative: Literacy Report: Part 1: Third Grade Reading

Parental Engagement is Crucial• When parents are involved, students have:• Higher grades, test scores, graduation rates• Better school attendance• Increased motivation• Better self-esteem• Lower rates of suspension• Decreased use of drugs and alcohol• Fewer instances of violent behavior

*National Parent Teacher Association

Parent Educatio

n

Parent Time

Children’s

Education

Parent and

Child Together (PACT)

National Center for Family Literacy

LCWM’s Family Literacy ProgramsPartnership

with GRPS/GHPS

Partnership with

Head StartParent

Education

Parent Time

Children’s

Education

Parent and

Child Together (PACT)

Weekly ELL classes at child’s school

Weekly tutoring in libraries

Time within the Family Nights

Provided by Head Start teachers

Monthly Family Nights

1 hour/week within the ELL classroom

Provided by classroom teachers

Monthly Family Nights

LCWM’s Family Literacy ProgramsFamily Literacy – Head

Start

2011-12 Achievements• 90% of all adult learners

made language gains, 100% of all children made literacy gains, and 70% of parents increased involvement with HS.

• 100% of parents are more involved in pre-literacy activities with their children.

Family Literacy – GRPS/GHPS

2011-12 Achievements• 79% of all adult learners

made language gains, 61% of all children met reading growth targets, and 53% of parents increased involvement with schools.

• 78% of parents are more involved in literacy activities with their children.

Incorporating Family Literacy in Your Work Build relationships with parents Hold recurring family events Build a family literacy-rich environment Offer Parent Time Provide book giveaways Create family newsletters w/ hands-on family

literacy activities

Identifying Low Literate Parents Gives excuses for not reading:

“I forgot my glasses” “I don’t have time to read that right now”

Takes a long time or appears confused when given something to sign or read.

Becomes agitated or anxious when given something to sign or read.

Asks to take materials home to read or fill out. Depends on others for reading and writing. Avoids situations which require reading. Misses appointments or gets dates and times

mixed up.

Working with Low Literate Parents In printed material:

Use larger, simpler font Simplify your language Use bullet points Highlight important points

Provide support: Reminder calls Resources

Remove personal bias

Growing Readers in Low Literate Homes Teach parents how to:

Share books with their children Create literacy-rich home environments Model literate behaviors and incorporate literacy

into daily routines Access free family resources in the community Have conversations with their children Learn about different types of children’s books

to use

What is one thing your agency can do to support

family literacy?

Questions?Colleen Alles,459-5151, ext. 13calles@literacycenterwm.org

Shay Kraley, 459-5151, ext. 26skraley@literacycenterwm.org