FAMILY LITERACY PROGRAM

Family Literacy Program goals, objectives, and ongoing activities: Summer Scholars Family Literacy program is a four component program that includes adult English as a second language instruction, parent education, child enrichment (summer literacy program, after-school tutoring and preschool for younger children) and parent and child time (PACT), replicated on the National Family Literacy model. Summer Scholars will operate the Family Literacy program in conjunction with our Summer Literacy program and the After-School Tutoring program at 12 Denver Public Schools in 2008. Evaluation of the Family Literacy program indicates that parents make demonstrable gains in English language skills, children make gains in reading skills and parents are more inclined to participate in family activities that enhance students’ potential for school success.

The specific objectives for Summer Scholars 2008-09 Family Literacy program are as follows:
1.    Implement the program at multiple sites for 180 families.
2.    Improve the English language skills of 75% of the adult participants.
3.    Improve the English language skills of 75% of elementary-aged participants.
4.    Improve the literacy skills of 75% of elementary-aged participants.
5.    Improve the educational and oral language development qualities of parent and child interaction for 75% of participants.

Eligible participants in the Family Literacy Program include parents and siblings of children enrolled in Summer Scholars tutoring programs age five and under and other community members.

Project Design: During the Family Literacy program, parents receive instruction on English language skills with special emphasis on skills needed for basic communication and interacting with Denver Public Elementary school staff. The parent education component includes information on child development, Colorado content standards, methods to help children be successful in school, and available community resources. A portion of each of the Family Literacy sessions includes time for the parents and children to participate in activities together, including reading, singing, dancing, and art work. The purpose of the activities is to model and practice parent-child interactions that build oral language and academic skills.
          
The English instruction for adults is competency-based, which is an approach widely used for adult English Language Learner (ELL) instruction. The instruction has four components:  assessment of learner needs, selection of competencies based on needs, instruction targeted to selected competencies, and evaluation of learner performance. The overarching theme for the Summer Scholars ELL instruction is competency in interacting with the school and in helping children be successful in school.

While the parents participate in instruction, the children also participate in enriching and educational activities. During the summer school age children attend classes in the Summer Scholars literacy program and in the school-year participate in hands-on-science, math activities and computer based learning programs. Younger children, ages five and under, participate in developmentally appropriate activities and oral language development strategies. These younger children learn English vocabulary, preschool and kindergarten readiness skills such as learning letters, colors, shapes, and following directions. Children of all ages learning English participate in language development activities, including building vocabulary and content knowledge through reading, computer language programs, conversation and other activities.

FAMILY LITERACY PROGRAM

Family Literacy Program goals, objectives, and ongoing activities: Summer Scholars Family Literacy program is a four component program that includes adult English as a second language instruction, parent education, child enrichment (summer literacy program, after-school tutoring and preschool for younger children) and parent and child time (PACT), replicated on the National Family Literacy model. Summer Scholars will operate the Family Literacy program in conjunction with our Summer Literacy program and the After-School Tutoring program at 12 Denver Public Schools in 2008. Evaluation of the Family Literacy program indicates that parents make demonstrable gains in English language skills, children make gains in reading skills and parents are more inclined to participate in family activities that enhance students’ potential for school success.

The specific objectives for Summer Scholars 2008-09 Family Literacy program are as follows:
1.    Implement the program at multiple sites for 180 families.
2.    Improve the English language skills of 75% of the adult participants.
3.    Improve the English language skills of 75% of elementary-aged participants.
4.    Improve the literacy skills of 75% of elementary-aged participants.
5.    Improve the educational and oral language development qualities of parent and child interaction for 75% of participants.

Eligible participants in the Family Literacy Program include parents and siblings of children enrolled in Summer Scholars tutoring programs age five and under and other community members.

Project Design: During the Family Literacy program, parents receive instruction on English language skills with special emphasis on skills needed for basic communication and interacting with Denver Public Elementary school staff. The parent education component includes information on child development, Colorado content standards, methods to help children be successful in school, and available community resources. A portion of each of the Family Literacy sessions includes time for the parents and children to participate in activities together, including reading, singing, dancing, and art work. The purpose of the activities is to model and practice parent-child interactions that build oral language and academic skills.
          
The English instruction for adults is competency-based, which is an approach widely used for adult English Language Learner (ELL) instruction. The instruction has four components:  assessment of learner needs, selection of competencies based on needs, instruction targeted to selected competencies, and evaluation of learner performance. The overarching theme for the Summer Scholars ELL instruction is competency in interacting with the school and in helping children be successful in school.

While the parents participate in instruction, the children also participate in enriching and educational activities. During the summer school age children attend classes in the Summer Scholars literacy program and in the school-year participate in hands-on-science, math activities and computer based learning programs. Younger children, ages five and under, participate in developmentally appropriate activities and oral language development strategies. These younger children learn English vocabulary, preschool and kindergarten readiness skills such as learning letters, colors, shapes, and following directions. Children of all ages learning English participate in language development activities, including building vocabulary and content knowledge through reading, computer language programs, conversation and other activities.