Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is family literacy?

2. Why is family literacy important?

3. Why does Massachusetts need family literacy?

4. Who benefits from family literacy?

5. Who provides family literacy?

6. How can I help start family literacy in my community?

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3. Why does Massachusetts need family literacy?

In Massachusetts:

• More than 2 million adults (44%) do not have functional English literacy skills or the basic abilities expected of a high school graduate.

• Some 465,000 of these adults are undereducated or limited English proficient parents with children under 13 years of age who are in need of literacy services for both their children and themselves.

• Children in approximately 114,000 families have a parent who cannot read aloud to them.

• Children in approximately 264,000 families have parents who can read at a basic level but have difficulty helping their children with homework.

Please address any questions or comments to MFLC@doe.mass.edu

Last Updated: September 15, 2002