What happens to children who drop out of school?  They grow up, and many have children of their own.  Their children enter school and, all too often, encounter difficulties.  Some will drop out of school and the cycle is repeated.

Our educational system addresses this problem through several types of programs.  Some programs focus on adults, providing basic education and degree programs for those who dropped out of school.  Preschool programs focus on preparing young children for successful entry into school.  Other programs provide remedial instruction and dropout prevention for school age children.

For some families, these programs provide what is needed for success.  Adults enroll in adult education classes and get a GED.  They raise children who go on to succeed in school.  Children enter preschool programs and develop the skills needed to succeed in school.  Other children receive remedial instruction and go on to succeed in school.  At-risk teens attend dropout prevention programs and decide to remain in school and graduate.

For some families, however, the traditional intervention programs have not worked.  Adults may enter adult education programs but drop out before completion.  Children may attend preschool programs but still enter school unprepared to succeed.  For these families, the cycle of school failure is repeated from generation to generation.

The family literacy model was developed to break that intergenerational cycle.  Family literacy does not compete with adult education, preschool, or school-based programs.  Rather, it serves those families who have multiple needs and who would otherwise fall through the cracks in our service delivery system.  It serves those families that require the multiple, integrated services not usually found in stand-alone adult education, preschool, or school-based programs.

Citation:

Popp, R. J. (1999).  Why do we need family literacy programs? PFES Brief, 94.  Retrieved (date) from the World Wide Web at http://www.bobpopp.com/.