Skills IDENTIFIERS *Family Literacy

Breaking the continuing cycle of low literacy levels transmitted from one generation to another is the philosophy behind family and intergenerational literacy programs. This Practice Brief describes some of the family literacy program models that are proving effective. It also summarizes strategies and resources that can help practitioners. The brief begins with the issue of the definitions of literacy and purposes of literacy education, pointing out that many program developers and researchers advocate respecting cultural differences and multiple meanings of literacy, and supporting educational achievement without undermining the family as a cultural resource. Effective program models are then described by type of intervention; the four models are: adults direct-children direct services; adults indirect-children indirect services; adults direct-children indirect; and adults indirect-children direct, with examples of each. Strategies for practitioners include determining audience to be served, recruiting through emphasIzing the benefits to children, providing high-interest subject matter and guest speakers, and giving literacy program participants suitable recognition. (14 references) (KC) Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made from the original document