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 6

Summary of Participation Rates for Other Participant Groups

Regular, active participation is a necessary step toward achieving Even Start program goals—both for participating families and for projects. We conclude this chapter with a summary of key participation results for three additional groups of participants: families in which the participating parent entered Even Start with a 6th-grade or less education; families in which the participating parent had limited English proficiency; and families with teen parents. These family characteristics overlap (e.g., low education and limited English proficiency); however, grouping families by these characteristics portrays different profiles of family strengths and difficulties that affect participation patterns.

On average, parents with little formal education participated in Even Start activities at the national average level. Although their completion rate was significantly lower than the national average, their continuation rate was somewhat higher than the national level, suggesting that they are remaining in the program to make up for their educational limitations more than parents who entered with more education (different rates of program completion are accounted for in this analysis) (Exhibit 6.17). Parents who have little or no English proficiency also present a similar participation pattern (many of these parents also have limited education), with the average completion rate of 3 percent.

The teen parents' participation hours in adult education were much higher than the national average, reflecting the fact that many teen parents are finishing their compulsory high school education. Further, their completion rate was slightly higher than the national average.

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[ To What Extent Did the Very Needy Families Participate in Even Start Services? ]

[ Chapter 7: What Are the Educational and Developmental Outcomes? ]