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Background of Even StartThe Even Start Family Literacy Program (Part B of Title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA) is designed to specifically break the cycle of poverty and illiteracy in low-income families. To do this the Even Start Program provides a unified program of adult education, parenting education, early childhood education services, and interactive parent and child literacy activities, building on existing high-quality community resources where appropriate. Even Start programs serve families with young children who are most in need of services with regard to at least a low level of adult literacy and family income (National Center for Family Literacy, 2001). The federally funded Even Start Family Literacy Program began as a small demonstration program in the 1989-1990 program year, with $14.8 million that funded 76 projects nationwide. The program has grown tremendously in the years since its beginning, with $250 million in funding for the 2001-2002 program year the will be distributed to over 1,500 local projects in every state, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. The number of families served by the Even Start program, nationwide has grown, from 2,460 served during the 1989-1990 program year to well over 36,000 parents and children in the 1999-2000 program year (NCFL, 2001). Major Objectives of the Even Start Program The Even Start Program is a family oriented literacy program that is intended to improve the educational opportunities for the students and parents that reside in the Medina Valley Independent School District. Through a unique combination of innovative and creative early childhood, adult basic education and parenting education classes, the Even Start Program strives to meet the following objectives:
Overview of the Medina Valley Even Start Family Literacy Program The Media Valley Even Start Family Literacy Program is beginning it's fourth year of operation in it's first cycle and has served, to date well over 280 families since beginning services in January 2000. Currently, the Even Start program has 30 families enrolled for the 2003-2004 program year and operates on a year round basis. Families and their children, who reside in the Medina Valley Independent School District, up to the age 4 are served 4 days a week, Monday - Thursday, 8:00 am - 1:00 pm and are provided early childhood classes, parenting classes, parent and child together classes (PACT Time), English as a Second Language Classes and Adult Education Classes in basic literacy skills and preparation for the GED. A typical day begins with breakfast at 8:00 am to 8:30 am, followed by PACT Time (Parent and Child Together) were parents and their children work together to learn basic literacy skills in a fun and stimulating environment from 8:30 am - 9:00 am. From 9:00 pm - 11:45 am classes in ESL/EL Civics (Citizenship Classes) and Adult Basic Education classes, as well as classes for children to age 4 are held in three classrooms. Participants are then served lunch and beginning at 12:30 pm our parents attend parenting classes. Currently over 25 adults and their children attend our classes regularly. Transportation, to and from the Even Start Program is also provided and none of the participants are charged for attending. All Even Start activities, including classes are offered free of charge to the participating families. The Medina Valley Even Start Family Literacy Program was recently awarded a $25,000.00 Literacy Grant from the First Lady's Family Literacy Initiative for Texas to provide basic literacy services to our Even Start families. The grant monies will be used to provide a Reading Coordinator that will provide high interest, fun reading activities with our adults and children who will then be allowed to take home a copy of the book that they have been working with in order to begin building their own home libraries of high quality reading materials at no cost to our families. The Medina Valley Even Start Family Literacy Program is currently located in the old OASIS Building in between the High School and Middle School. The Medina Valley Even Start Program can be reached by calling 830-931-2770 ext. 191 or by emailing the director, Mr. Richard Jackson at richard.jackson@mvisd.com .
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