As part of its effort to improve reading instruction for children and adults, the Partnership for Reading has initiated two projects to bring the findings of scientifically based research into family literacy programs. Family literacy has become a recognized model for helping families achieve their own life and education goals. It involves the integration of literacy instruction for young children with the development of parents' skills and knowledge through adult education and opportunities for parents and children to work and play together. Even Start, Head Start, and Early Even Start are examples of programs that use the family literacy model as a structure for the delivery of instructional services.

The two new initiatives involve the creation of professional development opportunities and tools related to reading skills development for use by family literacy service providers.

The National Center for Family Literacy (NCFL) will create a series of professional development materials through The Family Partnership in Reading initiative, funded by the National Institute for Literacy (NIFL) through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. These materials will summarize the scientific research, based on the development of a synthesis of research on language development, literacy, and communication for children ages 0-5. Products will include a Guidebook and a workshop series. Read more about The Family Partnership in Reading Initiative here.

The Equipped for the Future (EFF) Reading Project, a joint effort of NIFL and NCFL, is creating a professional development model to integrate research on the teaching of reading into EFF's purposeful and contextual approach to instruction. This builds adults' capacity to use skills and knowledge - including reading - to accomplish goals in their lives. The EFF staff development model includes a series of workshops and technical assistance service. This will enable practitioners to embed research based practices into EFF's contextual and purposeful approach to instruction, which practitioners have found to be so useful in helping adult learners build expertise. Read more about the EFF Reading Project here.