Eric.ed.gov – Parents and Teachers: Education in Concert.

Involving parents in young children’s literacy development is a challenge being met by many school districts. Several programs and strategies are being used at various levels to enhance literacy development and to address literacy needs of parents. Suggestions for preschool children include playing classical music, participating in meaningful learning experiences, and reading aloud. In addition, Even Start and Mothers Understanding Methods of Schooling are effective family-based literacy programs. Strategies for use with elementary school students and their parents include: morning meetings for parents at school to share information and present cooperative ventures; home visitor teams to bring parents into school; Reading (or Math) Family Nights; Family Technology Resource Centers offering child care and computer and literacy training; and the hiring of parents as ombudsmen. Strategies tried at the secondary school level include general school improvement programs with parent components, using parents as reading tutors, the Brotherhood of Super Stars for African-American males, church-based parent centers, and providing preparation for parent-teacher conferences. (KB)