POLITICAL AND STRUCTURAL DIVIDE: AN HOLISTIC APPROACH TO FAMILY LITERACY PROGRAMS AT COMMUNITY COLLEGES

This study explores an holistic approach to family-literacy (FL) programs at community colleges by analyzing federal legislation for the William F. Goodling Even Start Family Literacy Programs. Exemplary state-level programs that incorporate the Even Start Family Literacy Programs into their community college's Adult Basic Education (ABE) programming are also examined. The objective of this paper is to explore the central role of community colleges in developing and implementing a comprehensive family-literacy program. The findings explain how the current funding structure may be divisive at the state level. The paper concludes with recommendations for community college policymakers and practitioners to work with state-level educational agencies to secure federal grants and expand current ABE programs to better serve their communities.