Family Literacy

Family literacy is an allowable AEFLA activity, as specified in WIOA Section 203 -- provided local programs attempt to coordinate with programs and services that are not assisted with AEFLA funds before using Title II funds.   Cultivating partnerships is key to offering family literacy programs and services, in any form.

WIOA Section 203(9) defines family literacy activities as "activities of sufficient intensity and quality to make sustainable improvements in the economic prospects for a family that better enable parents or family members to support their children's learning needs," and programs should integrate the four key components of family literacy:  Early Childhood Education / School; Adult Education and Literacy; Interactive Literacy Activities; and Parent Education.  The term ‘family literacy’ was first used by the U.S. educator Denny Taylor in 1983 to describe literacy learning activities involving both children and their parents.  Regardless, family literacy is based on a time-deep and culture-wide educational tradition: intergenerational learning.

Family literacy in 2021 Infographic (Goodling Institute).pdf
Learning Families -- UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning Case Studies.pdf
From Scratch_ Using AEFLA funds to develop a family literacy program_1.pdf
family_literacy_toolkit - Quebec.pdf

Click the image above to visit the OCTAE page on Family Literacy.

The Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy's resources include digital readers for adults and children, as well as guides with activities to go with the books. You can also find Mrs. Bush's story time podcast here. 

The BBF partnered with Worldreader to develop this free digital resource for adult learners, families, and adult educators. The collection includes a diverse selection of books for families to read together. There is also a free app available.