Family Literacy is an education program that integrates instruction for undereducated adults and their children. Its purposes are to:
- Break the cycle of low literacy in families
- Increase the literacy skills of adults
- Provide quality learning opportunities for the children of participating adults
- Assist parents in their role as their child's first teacher
- Increase economic self-sufficiency for adults
These purposes are addressed by creating a program designed around four components:
- Adult Literacy
- Early Childhood Education
- Parent Education
- Parent-Child Interaction
To qualify as a bona fide Family Literacy program, all of these four components must be in place. Each component brings its own unique contributions to the development of the family in order to form a whole that is greater than the sum of its parts. The emphasis is placed on the equal value of each component rather than on equal time provided for each component. These individual components are enhanced rather than diminished by integrating services. Family Literacy programs connect with other service providers, community organizations and businesses to strengthen these components and provide support services.