Title I, Part B - William F. Goodling Even Start Family Literacy

New Hampshire Even Start Family Literacy Program

Even Start is a federally-funded educational program offered in three urban and rural communities across the state. Each program builds on existing educational resources and is sponsored through a partnership involving the local school district and community-based, non-profit organizations.

Even Start is designed to serve low-income families with low literacy skills. The instructional program integrates early childhood education, adult education, parent and child interactive literacy activities, and parenting education; it also connects families with existing community resources and support services.

Who is eligible?

Low-income families with children from birth through age seven, who are most in need of literacy development, are eligible for enrollment. This includes families headed by teen parents who have not yet received a high school diploma, adults who wish to earn their GED, and those who are English language learners.

Core Program Components

• Early Childhood Education: The program ensures that young children are involved in focused literacy activities in high-quality preschools and kindergarten settings, as well as in elementary schools. New Hampshire Even Start primarily engages infants and toddlers in early language and literacy activities with their parents at home. Curriculum for all children is age-appropriate and based on scientific reading or reading readiness research.
• Adult Education: Adults enrolled in the program set individual literacy and self-sufficiency goals. They participate in classes which prepare them for GED testing or a high school diploma. English language instruction, academic tutoring, job readiness, and life skill training are also provided.
• Interactive Literacy Activities: This unique component strengthens parent-child relationships by providing time for enjoyable literacy activities where parents and children talk, read books, learn new skills, and play together.
• Parenting Education: In Even Start, parents are regarded as their child's first teachers. Parents learn new ways to support their child's early literacy development at home, in group settings, and at school

Program Design

Families participate in a program which offers flexible, intensive, year-round instruction. In addition to enrolling adults and children in appropriate educational settings, an Even Start Family Literacy Instructor visits each family in their home on a weekly or bi-weekly basis. To help families participate in all four program components on a consistent basis, Even Start offers child care, light meals, and transportation to classes.

New Hampshire Even Start annually assesses progress of local programs through outcomes on its state performance indicators and through a written report from an independent evaluator. The State Coordinator also makes regular monitoring visits to each program site to ascertain compliance with the 15 required Even Start Elements and progress toward local improvement goals.

• NH State Performance Indicators
• 15 Even Start Program Elements

2011-2012 New Hampshire Even Start Local Programs

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