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?

4. Who benefits from family literacy?

Children benefit. They demonstrate greater gains in vocabulary, literacy, logic, math, and other skills than children in child-focused programs. They are more likely to be successful in school right through high school graduation and less likely to be exposed to health risks or live in poverty.

Adults benefit. They improve their basic educational and job skills and are enabled to make self-identified changes in their lives that help them fulfill their personal goals. Parents whose first language is not English acquire communication skills to support their relationships with their children, school staff, co-workers, employers, and the community at large.

Schools benefit. Parents become full partners in their children's education through increased communication with school staff and active participation in school activities. They gain the skills they need to reinforce their children's school learning in the home.

Businesses and communities benefit. More educated parents are better prepared to enter the workforce and meet the performance requirements of today's businesses. As parents develop the skills they need in the context of their roles as parents, workers, and citizens, they become active contributors to their communities.

Community Challenge   Promise of Family Literacy
School Success: Children living in homes with parents who have not completed high school and are unemployed are five to six times more likely to drop out of school than other children. Family literacy enables parents to improve their skills to be more effective in their role as their children's first and most important teacher and enhance the value placed upon education within the family.
Employment: High school dropouts are twice as likely to be unemployed and, when employed, earn only half of a high school graduate's salary. Family literacy provides parents with the basic educational and job skills they need to complete a high school diploma and participate effectively in the workforce.
Self-Sufficiency: Nearly one half of all heads of households receiving public assistance have not finished high school. Family literacy reduces dependency on public assistance and significantly increases employment.
Health Care: The most reliable indicator of family health is the educational level of the mother. Family literacy provides opportunities for parents to learn about child development, good health, and proper nutrition.

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

Last Updated: September 15, 2002