1 of 26

Family Literacy For Stronger

Urban Communities

June 17, 2024

2 of 26

Title

 Introductions and Community Builder

Introductions

Melissa Moore

Executive Director

Read Muskegon

Dr. Anna Kaiper-Marquez

Director, Family Literacy

National Center for Families Learning

3 of 26

In the chat, please answer the following:

  1. How do you define literacy?

  • How do you define family literacy?

Warm Up!

4 of 26

Defining Literacy

While the term “literacy” often refers exclusively to English language print literacy, NCFL relies on UNESCO’s more expansive definition;

Incorporates the “means of identification, understanding, interpretation, creation, and communication in an increasingly digital, text-mediated, information-rich and fast changing world” (UNESCO, 2023).

5 of 26

Reading; Writing

Math; Financial

Digital; Multilingual

Financial

Family Literacy =

Multiple Literacies

�Digital—Multilingual

Reading—Writing

�and more…

Math—Financial

�Legal—Health

 Defining Literacy

6 of 26

NCFL works to eradicate poverty through education solutions for families.

Our Mission

7 of 26

    • Founded in 1989
    • Headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky, with a national staff 
    • 150+ communities
    • 39 states
    • Over 4.5 million families

Our National Reach

8 of 26

Four Component Family Literacy

Adult Education

PACT®

Time

Child Education

Parent Time

9 of 26

Adult Education

  • Adult Basic Education
  • English Language Acquisition
  • High School Equivalency/GED
  • College and Career Readiness
  • Higher Education
  • Employability Skills

Adult Education is based on the adults’ individual learning goals.

10 of 26

Parent Time

Child Development

Health and Wellness

Helping with Homework

Budgeting

Parent Time topics are based on interests of parents. Examples include:

11 of 26

Child Education is any education children receive in the classroom, before or after school, or with other community-based organizations.

This programming is based on researched best practices and meets the developmental needs of children.

Child Education

12 of 26

PACT Time occurs when parenting adults spend time in their children's learning space, like a classroom or outside of school learning space.

Parenting adults and children share learning with one another.

PACT Time® (Parent and Child Together)

PACT Time at Ramah Navajo

13 of 26

Video: What Is Family Literacy?

14 of 26

Component Integration

Parent Time

  • All 4 components work together to strengthen and inform each other.

  • The key to Component Integration is communication.

15 of 26

When and Where

When?

  • During the school day
  • Before or after school
  • In the summer �

Or any combination!

Where?

Community Based Organization,

Community College,

K-12 Schools, Church, Library, Online, Home,

Or any combination!

16 of 26

When and where can family literacy happen?

Adult Ed.

Parent Time

PACT® Time

Child Ed.

Location: K-12 School

Time: School Day

Location: K-12 School

Time: School Day

Location: K-12 School

Time: School Day

Location: K-12 School

Time: School Day

17 of 26

When and where can family literacy happen?

Adult Ed.

Parent Time

PACT® Time

Child Ed.

Location: Local GED Center

Time: Day or Night

Location: Library

Time: Saturday

Location: Early Childhood Center

Time: School Day

Location: Library

Time: Saturday

18 of 26

When and where can family literacy happen?

Adult Ed.

Parent Time

PACT® Time

Child Ed.

Location: Church

Time: Evenings

Location: Church

Time: Evenings

Location: K-12 School

Time: After School

Location: K-12 School

Time: After School

19 of 26

Family Literacy in Practice:

Read Muskegon

20 of 26

  • Founded in 2005 – 1-1 Tutoring for Adults
  • Serve about 600 adults & children annually
  • Population 177,000 mix of urban & rural
  • 19% of adults at Level 1, 37% at Level 2
  • More than 60% of 3rd graders not testing as proficient
  • Located in downtown Muskegon Heights
            • 36.5% poverty
  • 82% BIPOC
  • 11% Assoc, Bach, or Grad degree
  • 20% UE rate
  • Crime rate higher than 96% of U.S. cities

21 of 26

Why Family Literacy and How We Made It Happen

  • Transition from adults only to all ages = breaking generational cycles

  • Target participants were 0-5 years olds with low-literacy

parents or living in school districts with inequitable resources

  • Sustainable funding from Great Start Collaborative

supplemented by grants

  • Grew from one class to 4 (cooking, music, art, infants) and

launching bilingual in August.

  • Re-entry programs

  • Families in Action

22 of 26

����Changing outcomes for the next generation…

23 of 26

Why Family Literacy?

Provides a framework for supporting families

Parent and child literacy is linked (Dollar General Literacy Foundation, 2022)

43 million adults read at the lowest literacy levels

(NCES, 2020)

24 of 26

Findings

Increase in children’s academic performance and attendance

Increase English language skills that impact involvement in classroom

Increase literacy behaviors in the home

Increase parent involvement in schools

Increases self-efficacy to support children’s education

25 of 26

Questions?

26 of 26