A r c h i v e d  I n f o r m a t i o n

National Evaluation of The Even Start Family Literacy Program, 1998

Chapter 4

Where Are Even Start Projects Located? What Non-Even Start Services Are Available in Communities?

Approximately one-half (51 percent) of Even Start projects operate in rural areas (population less than 50,000). Thirty-four percent operate in urban areas (metropolitan area with population more than 50,000), and 15 percent operate in areas that included urban and rural communities. This distribution has remained consistent since 1993-94, in part, because it reflects the legislative requirement for representative distribution across urban and rural districts in each state.

As shown in Exhibit 4.1, many types of educational services provided by Even Start also were available through other programs in the communities where the projects operated (the term "community" connotes "service area" for each local project). The most widely available services were adult secondary education and GED preparation (88 percent), followed closely by early childhood education for 3-4-year-olds (83 percent), adult basic education (78 percent), and early childhood education for 5-year-olds (77 percent).

Family literacy programs, early childhood education for infants and toddlers, and parenting education were available in only 16 percent, 29 percent, and 48 percent of communities, respectively. Thus, Even Start makes special, unique contributions to these educational services in many communities.

According to many project directors, even though numerous educational programs may be available in the community, families often lack knowledge of their existence or have transportation problems that prevent attendance. This is where Even Start projects' flexibility and ability to "glue" together existing services become most critical.

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[ Chapter 4: What Resouces Support the Even Start Services? ]

[ What Organizations Operate the Even Start Program? ]