ED427890 PS027397
Title: Even Start: Evidence from the Past and a Look to the Future.
National Evaluation of the Even Start Family Literacy Program.
Author(s): St. Pierre, Robert; Gamse, Beth; Alamprese, Judith; Rimdzius,
Tracy; Tao, Fumiyo
Author Affiliation: Fu Associates, Ltd.(BBB34436); Abt Associates,
Inc., Bethesda, MD.(BBB29999)
Pages: 57
Publication Date: 1998
Notes: For 1996 Interim Report, see ED 418 815. For 1994-1997 Final
Report, see PS 027 396.
Sponsoring Agency: Department of Education, Washington, DC. Planning
and Evaluation Service. (EDD00109)
Contract No: ED-98-PO-1351
Available from: EDRS Price MF01/PC03 Plus Postage.
Availability: U.S. Department of Education, Planning and Evaluation
Service, Room 6W314, FOB6, Washington, DC 20202-8240; Tel: 877-433-7827
(Toll Free); e-mail: esed@ed.gov; Web site: www.ed.gov
Language: English
Document Type: Reports--Evaluative (142)
Geographic Source: U.S.; District of Columbia
Journal Announcement: RIEJUL1999
Government Level: Federal
Target Audience: Policymakers
The Even Start
Family Literacy Program is intended to help break the cycle of poverty
and illiteracy by improving the educational opportunities available
to low-income families with limited educational experiences. Based
on state and national evaluations, this report for policy makers
and practitioners summarizes what has been learned about the Even
Start family program after 10 years of demonstration and evaluation
activities, and points out some of the directions, possibilities,
and problems facing the program in the future. The report first
describes the Even Start program as it has been implemented in more
than 600 locations across the nation. The second section focuses
on major changes that have occurred over the past decade: in the
program size and administration, in the types of families served,
in services and participation, and in program costs. The third section
describes the kinds of effects that Even Start has had on participating
families, with an emphasis on implications for improving practice.
The final part of the report looks to the future and addresses issues
of recent legislative changes, program quality, program institutionalization,
the effect of welfare reform, and a trend toward improved evaluations.
Contains 31 references. (HTH)
Descriptors: Adult Education; Early Childhood Education; Evaluation
Methods; *Family Literacy; Family Programs; Program Evaluation
Identifiers: *Even Start; Program Characteristics
