Name of the Project

Arizona Even Start Statewide Family Literacy Initiative

Grantee Contact

Karen Liersch, Director of Adult Education

Arizona Dept. of Education

1535 West Jefferson St.

Phoenix AZ 85007

Tel: (602) 542-3919

Fax: (602) 542-1161

E-mail: kliersc@mail1.ade.state.az.us

Even Start Statewide Family Literacy Coordinator

Lois Schneider, Family Literacy Coordinator

Arizona Dept. of Education

1535 West Jefferson St., Bin 26

Phoenix AZ 85007

Tel: (602) 542-7013

Fax: (602) 542-1161

E-mail: lschnei@ade.az.gov

Even Start Statewide Family Literacy Initiative Project Goals

• To strengthen and expand family literacy services in Arizona.

Objectives

• Develop a performance accountability system
• Build awareness of family literacy programs that offer the four components of the Kenan Model of family literacy
• Coordinate and integrate existing and future family literacy resources

Project Description

Arizona's Family Literacy Consortium has been active since August 1999. To achieve the above stated goal and objectives, the Consortium has designed a plan that includes the following activities:

• To develop a performance accountability system:
• Develop performance indicators for outcomes related to the Early Childhood Education, PACT and Parenting Education components.
• Develop software for data collection and program improvement.
• To build awareness of family literacy programs that offer the four components of the Kenan Model:
• Conduct a "family literacy sampler" workshop.
• Develop outreach materials.
• Follow through with repeated contacts.
• To coordinate and integrate existing and future family literacy resources:
• Provide linkages from the Arizona Family Literacy web site to all providers of family literacy in Arizona, their partners and potential collaborators.
• Provide intensive, comprehensive professional development for all family literacy programs in Arizona to facilitate networking, disseminate appropriate research, share staff development strategies, and promote collegial interactions.

Priorities Addressed

• Using research on reading and literacy in program planning
• Implementing a professional development plan for staff
• Increasing the intensity of family literacy activities for school-age children (up to 7 years old)
• Improving local evaluation methods and practices
• Absolute Priority: Family Literacy Performance Indicators