Sunday, April 11, 2010

2:30 – 4:00 p.m.

The Education Agenda in Washington
Alan Lopatin, Ledge Counsel, Inc.; Tony Peyton, NCFL

2010 promises to be a busy year as lawmakers on Capitol Hill join with the Obama Administration in action on both the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act and the Adult Education and Family Literacy Act. Come interact with congressional staff and administration officials as they discuss the plans ahead. Also learn about the action steps you can take to become engaged in the development of these important policies.

Supporting Language and Literacy Development for Two Generations: Results from the Eight-Year Study of the First 5 LA Family Literacy Initiative
Heather Quick, Ph.D. Principal Research Scientist, American Institutes for Research (AIR)

In this session, researchers will present results from the eight-year evaluation of the First 5 LA Family Literacy Initiative – a study of over 1,000 families participating in the 22 Initiative-funded family literacy programs in Los Angeles County. We will characterize patterns of language and literacy development among parents and young children participating in these programs and highlight factors that best support growth on these outcomes. We also will examine long-term outcomes for a sample of families observed one to five years after graduation from family literacy programs. Results reveal positive outcomes for children and families in a number of areas.

4:15 p.m. – 5:45 p.m.

Success for Family Literacy Using Noncognitive Variables
William E. Sedlacek, Professor Emeritus of Education, University of Maryland

Standardized tests and grades have serious limitations in telling us what we need to know about literacy and academic potential of families from diverse backgrounds and cultures. An alternative system of assessment based on noncognitive variables is presented. How to consider variables, such as self-concept, nontraditional leadership, long-term goals, developing a community, and handling racism, is covered. Implications for family literacy will be discussed.

Involving the Whole Family in Young Children’s Literacy Learning
Ann My Thai & Makeda Mayes - Joan Ganz Cooney Center

In this session, attendees will learn about recent research projects of the Joan Ganz Cooney Center at Sesame Workshop designed to engage adult family members in the literacy learning of very young children. Three projects will be described that use mobile communications technologies and other popular media platforms to engage parents, grandparents and others in reading and literacy activities with preschool children. Results of these research projects indicate that parents and grandparents want to be involved in their children’s literacy development and are happy to have ways to engage their children in literacy learning wherever they may be as they go about their daily routines.

Monday, April 12, 2010

12:00 – 1:30

Electric Company

Join the brains behind the hit show The Electric Company for a lively and interactive discussion on how the revived show directly addresses the nation’s literacy issue in direct and relevant ways. Meet cast members, hear from the show’s producer,discover the educational background and learn how you can use the show in your program!

By participating in this special session, you’ll learn interesting things such as:
• Why contemporary pop and hip-hop music was chosen specifically to teach literacy skills
• How the creative and educational design is supported by live action, comedic skits, music videos and celebrity guests.
• Who can benefit: children and families in your program!

The Electric Company reaches at least 1 million children per week—this is your chance to experience the power of the show firsthand!

This special presentation is made possible through the ongoing partnership and collaboration between NCFL and Sesame Workshop.

2:00p.m. – 3:30p.m.

Who can Best Assure Children’s School Readiness? Parents or Teachers or Both?
Susan H. Landry, Ph.D., Albert & Margaret Alkek Chair in Early Childhood, Michael Matthew Knight Professor of Pediatrics, Director, Children’s Learning Institute, University of Texas Health Science Center-Houston

We are advancing in our understanding of the necessary experiences and skills children need in order to enter kindergarten ready to succeed. This presentation will outline what we know about the critical areas of learning in early childhood and provide a framework of key components that can help assure children develop these important skills. Characteristics of early childhood classroom practices and parenting behaviors that have been demonstrated by research to support children’s school readiness will be highlighted. Attention will be given to the limited amount of research that demonstrates an added benefit from approaches that bring together effective classroom practices and parent programs. Practical and policy implications for continuing effective classroom and parent programs will be discussed.

The GED and Family Literacy: Working Together for a Better Future
Nicole Chestang, Vice President and Executive Director GED® Testing Service

The session will describe exciting new developments within the GED Testing Service® as we reconsider the scope of the GED® Program, including a more rigorous college and career ready assessment and instructional system that can help accelerate learning and proficiency gains for adult learners, all requiring improved literacy. Ms. Chestang’s remarks also will detail milestones achieved to date and plans for 2010 and beyond. She will share some ideas about how GED Testing Service® and the family literacy community can establish a new level of engagement and partnership.

4:00p.m. – 5:30p.m.

Engaging Bicultural and Second Language Families in Family Literacy and Schools
Edward M. Olivos, University of Oregon

Successfully engaging parents, particularly bicultural (i.e., minority or second language) parents, in their children's school experiences is a central tenet of family literacy programs. Despite best intentions, however, there is a gap between intent and reality. Bicultural parents frequently express feeling unwelcomed at schools and educators often feel frustrated or overwhelmed. This session will present the notion that not all forms of parental involvement are the same nor are they equally valued. The presenter will share insight on issues and challenges concerning bicultural parent engagement; possible strategies and approaches for better collaboration; and what teachers and staff can do to help.

Bigger and Better Online Learning from Thinkfinity.org - Sponsored by Verizon Foundation
Laura Westberg, Senior Director, & John Mudd, Director, National Center for Family Literacy; Jenny Wei, Education Specialist, National Museum of American History, Smithsonian Institution

Online learning unleashes the powerful potential to reach a wider audience with the most current tools and resources available. Take the grand tour of Thinkfinity.org partners and explore free resources for parents and educators from the National Center for Family Literacy’s new parent Web site and the National Museum of American History’s Web sites, “OurStory” and “History Explorer.” Walk away with the latest techniques for maximizing the use of these resources.

Transforming Adult Education: The Time is Now
Dr. Brenda Dann-Messier, Assistant Secretary, Office of Vocational and Adult Education, U.S. Department of Education

This session will include a discussion of the Administration's plans for the future of adult education and family literacy. Information will be shared on current initiatives that will help attendees learn about the larger national agenda and how it may affect their work. Attendees also will have the opportunity to engage in discussion during a question and answer period.

Tuesday, April 13, 2010

8:30a.m. – 10:00a.m.

If you Teach the Parents They will Come. Really!
Randy M. Wood, Ph.D., Professor, Curriculum and Instruction, Baylor University, Waco, Texas

Learning English Among Friends (LEAF) is a small group, personalized approach to teaching English that reaches families who, for one reason or another, have not previously been interested in education. The program encourages families, develops an understanding of American education, supports parenting, brings in experts, builds community interest and shares a weekly meal. Insights will be provided about what to do and not to do to begin tutoring and enriching students. Suggestions also will be discussed about how to implement a program like LEAF in any school or business setting.

Translating Findings of the National Early Literacy Panel into What Works - Sponsored by Dollar General Literacy Foundation
Laura Westberg, Senior Dirctor, National Center for Family Literacy; Evan Harrel, Executive Director, Small Steps Nurturing Center; Shawna Honeycutt, Pre-Kindergarten Teacher, Small Steps Nurturing Center

Parents and teachers can successfully impact the language and literacy development of young children. Learn about essential practices and strategies from new resources developed by the National Center for Family Literacy that teachers and parents can use to maximize the best language and literacy experiences possible for young children. Get the free introductory teacher guide and parent posters in this session and start children on a pathway to reading success.

What Works? Promising Practices in Family Literacy
Heide Spruck Wrigley, LiteracyWork International

Heide Wrigley will share the findings of recent research studies in adult ESL, including the federally funded “What Works” study. She will use examples from the field to show family literacy programs can use these findings to engage learners, promote language and literacy development, and help parents persist in their studies. Using examples from the field, Heide will illustrate practices, such as connecting communities and classrooms, using the native language effectively, and having students develop and showcase learning projects.