A FAMILY LITERACY PROGRAM CONNECTING SCHOOL AND HOME - EFFECTS ON ATTITUDE, MOTIVATION, AND LITERACY ACHIEVEMENT

This study connected home and school literacy contexts by involving pa rents in developmentally appropriate and culturally sensitive literacy activities with their children. The purpose of the program was to enh ance children's achievement and interest in literacy. The family progr am was similar to a literature-based school program that included clas sroom literacy centers, teacher-modeled literature activities, and lit eracy center time. Meetings were held monthly, with parents, leachers, and children all working together. The program was in an inner-city s chool district including African American and Latino families. There w ere 56 children in !st through 3rd grades (28 in the experimental grou p and 28 in the control). Pre- and posttest data determined achievemen t and motivation differences favoring the children in the family progr am.