Approaches to Effective Family Literacy Sharon Darling, National Center for Family Literacy Sharon Darling is the founder and President of the National Center for Family Literacy (NCFL) in Louisville, Kentucky. Under her direction, NCFL has become a national leader in creating innovative programs; developing effective advocacy strategies; and providing research, training, and technical assistance to professionals in the field of family literacy. Darling serves as an advisor on education issues to governors, policy makers, business leaders, and foundations throughout the nation. In doing so, she provides them with advice and planning strategies for strengthening families through education and moving them toward literacy and self-sufficiency. She also serves on the boards of numerous national and international organizations, including the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy, the National Coalition for Literacy, and the Heart America Foundation. Darling has authored numerous publications and articles on intergenerational education and is a frequent keynote speaker. Among her many honors are the Razor Walker Award (2000) from the University of North Carolina for her contributions to the lives of children and youth; Woman of Distinction Award from Birmingham Southern University (1999); Albert Schweitzer Prize for Humanitarianism, Johns Hopkins University (1998); National Caring Award (1996); Charles A. Dana Award for Pioneering Achievement in Education (1996); and the Harold W. McGraw Award for Outstanding Educator (1993). Darling has also been featured on the Arts & Entertainment Television Network’s series Biography. "We must think of and use the family as the central point of their child’s education. Every family must be valued for what they can contribute." — Sharon Darling Presentation Highlights The educational level attained by parents has been proven to be a significant predictor of the school success rates for their children. In the early 1990’s, statistics became available that showed that with 25% of the adult population functioning at the lowest levels of proficiency in literacy and in an increasingly complex society, it is becoming difficult for adults lacking literacy skills to function and thrive. Based on the implications of this research, it is imperative for parents to be provided with the skills necessary to act as a support for their child’s education. This presentation describes the concept of family literacy and describes the essential components of an effective family literacy program. Children in Poverty The number of children living in profound poverty is increasing. When children live in poverty they are more likely to: Be unhealthy; Have delayed brain development; and/or Drop out of school when they are older. It should be noted that early childhood educators have taken important steps to remedy this situation and that there have been numerous school reforms specifically aimed at counteracting the impact of poverty on children. However, it is critical that families be encouraged to become an integral part of their child’s learning process. The Family Literacy Approach The family literacy approach provides an intergenerational education experience where parents have the opportunity to enhance their ability to: Build self-esteem; Learn; Effect their own lives and become an important part of those of their children’s; Break down barriers and replace them with incentives; and Work with other parents who share many of the same concerns and issues. Family literacy programs provide an integrated way to extend the learning experience in the center-based environment to the home environment. Although the family literacy approach is a flexible model that manifests uniquely in each community, it consistently views parents as equal partners in children’s learning. Head Start Family Literacy Project The Head Start Family Literacy Project is a comprehensive initiative that includes 4 key elements: 1. Child education 2. Parent education 3. Parent literacy training 4. Interactive parent/child activities A Successful Family Literacy Approach Requires: Cooperation and collaboration—A more holistic view of the needs of the children and families in the communities served must be developed. Funding Sources—Adequate and diverse sources of funding must support the implementation of the project elements (see items 1-4 above). Results and accountability—Data must be gathered and disseminated that substantiates the efficacy of family literacy programs. Presentation Handout Print version of Sharon Darling's 1-page Handout Family Literacy Drawing on the Power of the Family The family is the strongest element in shaping lives. It's the most powerful support network there is. It's where the cycle of learning begins, where the attitudes of parents about learning become the educational values of the children. Through intensive education of more than one generation, family literacy programs build on families' strengths and provide the tools and support they need to become stronger and more self-sufficient. The National Center for Family Literacy (NCFL) leads the field of family literacy. NCFL developed and supports the national family literacy model which integrates adult education instruction, early childhood education, interactive literacy activities for parents and children, and parent education into one comprehensive program. The Head Start Family Literacy Project (HSFLP) is a five-year cooperative agreement with NCFL to provide training and technical assistance to enhance the capacity of Head Start and Early Head Start grantees to implement comprehensive family literacy services. As parents acquire new educational, social, employability and life skills, they are able to enhance the literacy skills of their children. The Head Start Family Literacy Project supports the continued efforts of Head Start to build on family literacy as one pathway to self-sufficiency. NCFL's organizational vision is to create and support systems which enable families to become self-sufficient through educational programs for parents and children together. Its mission is to provide leadership for the field of family literacy; promote policies at the national and state levels to support family literacy; design, develop, and demonstrate new family literacy practices for replication; deliver high quality, dynamic, research-based training, staff development and technical assistance; and conduct research to expand the knowledge base of family literacy. Video of Presentation Presentation Highlights Presentation Handout List of Literacy presenters/presentations Information on how to view videos and view/download handouts

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