Newswise — The National Center for Family Literacy identified and convened NELP to conduct a synthesis of scientific research on the development of early literacy in young children. The NELP performed an exhaustive study to identify early literacy skills, the interventions and programs that improve those skills, and what settings and childhood characteristics might impact the effectiveness of the programs and interventions.
Experts at NCFL can discuss the key findings of the report, which reveal the best early predictors of literacy, what programs and instructional approaches during the preschool period improve literacy, as well as practical tips for educators and parents on how to improve important literacy skills for young children.Sharon Darling, president & founder of the National Center for Family Literacy, will be available for phone interviews following the news conference at 10 a.m. Thursday. Darling participates in dozens of local, regional and national media interviews each year. In addition, she has been featured on the Arts & Entertainment television network's series, "Biography."
As a teacher, administrator and educational entrepreneur, Darling has challenged the status quo and develope new methods of educating families. She serves as an adviser on education issues to governors, policy-makers, business leaders and foundations throughout the nation.
Darling's many awards and recognitions include: the 2001 National Humanities Medal awarded by the President and Mrs. Bush; 2000 Razor Walker Award from the University of North Carolina for her contributions to the lives of children and youth; Woman of Distinction Award, Birmingham Southern University, 1999; and the Albert Schweitzer Prize for Humanitarianism, Johns Hopkins University, 1998.
Laura Westberg, director of research/special projects at the National Center for Family Literacy, also will be available for interviews. Westberg was the principal investigator for the National Early Literacy Panel and oversaw the following research that comprised the NELP study: "¢ Identified, coded and analyzed 300 peer reviewed research articles to identify early literacy predictors.
"¢ Examined 191 articles across five categories of reading interventions to determine the impact of various approaches on the identified early literacy predictors and conventional literacy skills.
"¢ Translated the vast data analysis into practical tools that will be disseminated to and used by educators and parents nationwide.
Westberg is a noted early literacy specialist and leads research and evaluation for NCFL's projects and initiatives. In her role at NCFL, Westberg manages and contributes to a variety of reading initiatives that span early childhood to adulthood providing product development, technical assistance, professional development and evaluation.
The National Institute for Literacy funded the study, in consultation with the National Institute for Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), the U.S. Department of Education, and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
The report will be available online on Thursday.
NCFL immediately began using the research findings in its programming and materials. It has secured private investment to turn the research into actionable practices for literacy practitioners, families and child-care workers.
One example is NCFL's development of comprehensive materials to translate the NELP findings into teacher/practitioner guides that will help educators implement best early learning practices in their classrooms as well as materials that will help parents support their children's learning at home.
This was made possible through a $256,000 foundation grant. Applications were received from 33 states and narrowed down to four winning communities in Pennsylvania, Georgia, Indiana and Nevada.
ABOUT NCFL:The National Center for Family Literacy, founded in 1989, is the worldwide leader in family literacy. More than 1 million families have made positive educational and economic gains as a result of NCFL's work, which includes training more than 150,000 teachers and thousands of volunteers. For more information, contact 1-877-FAMLIT-1 or visit www.famlit.org.
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