Family Literacy Programs Offered
Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngsters (HIPPY) and Parents as Teachers (PAT):
For thirteen years, the Family Literacy Program's HIPPY and PAT programs have provided the educational and developmental tools disadvantaged Denver children need to improve their chances for success when they enter elementary school.
Metro State mentors parents with children ages five and under living in Denver's public housing developments and nearby communities. Adults acquire the skills to become their child's first teacher and parents and children conduct joint home assignments that stimulate early childhood learning.
Family Focused Early Childhood Education:
This program provides quality child care and education for infants to 4-year-olds, while parents attend English as a Second Language, Parenting or Parent and Child Together educational activities.
A well-trained staff works with youngsters in the areas of personal connections; relationships and communication; exploration and problem solving; and movement/coordination. While parents learn how to support their children's emerging literacy skills, their very young children are developing the competencies they will need to succeed in school and later in life.
Toyota Family Literacy Program:
Through this program, children in kindergarten through third grade and their parents attend school together. Children receive literacy education in the classroom and parents work to improve their English and learn how to support their children's language and literacy development.
This program has resulted in significant literacy gains by adults and children; participating children exceed their peers in academic performance, motivation to learn, attendance and classroom behavior. It is offered locally at Munroe, Fairview, Valdez and Columbian elementary schools.
Adult Basic Education:
This program includes English as a Second Language (ESL) and General Educational Development (GED) preparation in Spanish.
The adult education component helps improve older youth and adults’ chances for employment and builds the literacy skills parents need to help their children reach age-appropriate developmental and learning levels.
Family literacy is not new to us here at Metro State. We see it as an investment in our schools and our economy-these students will succeed in grade school, in high school and at Metro State. And with that, we will begin to transform the condition of this city. Stephen Jordan, Ph.D., president, Metro State College
