Even Start

All children and families have strengths. Family literacy programs have been established in HISD to help families identify and build on their strengths. In general, these programs:

offer literacy (basic reading skills) development for parents and children
serve as an extension of the family, recognizing family members' individual rights
include strong participant involvement
include parent-child interaction
integrate learning and participation at three levels: parents, children, and parent-child and
collaborate with support services

The goals of HISD's Even Start Program are (1) to help parents become full partners in the education of their children; (2) to help children to reach their full potential as learners; and (3) to provide literacy training for their parents.

The Even Start Family Literacy Program is established at nine HISD schools based on a grant funding. Program objectives include helping parents become full partners in their children's education, helping children reach their full potential as learners, providing literacy training for parents, assist families with parenting strategies in child growth and development and educational process for children ages birth through 7 years, and coordinating efforts that build on existing community resources.

For more information on Family Literacy, see the National Center for Family Literacy and the Texas Family Literacy Center.