NLA Discussion: 21st Century Act

[Janet Isserlis]

John and all,

There are a number of programs that have worked with people of mixed ages.
Some of these designate themselves family or intergenerational literacy
programs (e.g. family math and science, family writing centers), but have,
increasingly, acknowledged the fact that family is socially constructed
notion and can include caregivers and children -- aunts, grandparents,
others who are important in children's lives.  As well, Gail Weinstein and
others have done work with elderly learners, matching younger tutors with
older ESOL learners.  The list is long, and I'm sure others can contribute,
and/or I'd be glad to share resources with you around the topic.

I think the bigger issue to consider is the larger (funders') agenda behind
the decision that are made not only about what things are called, but what
it is programs are being called upon to produce in the way of outcomes.
Where a program can recognize communities' uses of literacy and build on
those in assisting learners of any age in meeting their goals, this gives
me hope.  When family literacy programs are sucked into a larger " -
to-work" agenda, I am far less hopeful.  How does this influence what we
want or need from policy?

Janet Isserlis 
<Janet_Isserlis at Brown.edu>


>I must admit that I think of family literacy as parents and young children.
>are there examples of parents and middle school or high school children
>involved in a family literacy program?
>
>John Comings
>COMINGJO at HUGSE1.HARVARD.EDU