Greetings,

I am the evaluator for all the Florida Family Literacy programs funded by the Volunteer UAS Foundation. My AERA presentation focuses on the value-added for children who participate in family literacy. I would welcome the opportunity to meet and discuss family literacy research with any of you who will be in NYC nect week.

The Value of Family Literacy Intervention to Struggling Readers




Scheduled Time: Thu, Mar 27 - 8:15am - 10:15am<http://64.112.226.77/one/aera/aera08/index.php?click_key=2&cmd=Multi+Search+View+Program+Load+Scheduled+Times&schedule_day=2008-03-27+10%3A15%3A00&highlight_box_id=40468&PHPSESSID=0468ed1d3b5fbbcf21eb9fe5e99b8bd4>   Building/Room: Hilton New York / Gramercy Suite A, 2nd Floor
In Session: SIG: Research in Reading and Literacy SIG: Directions in Reading and Literacy Research 2<http://64.112.226.77/one/aera/aera08/index.php?click_key=2&cmd=Multi+Search+Search+Load+Session&session_id=45593&PHPSESSID=0468ed1d3b5fbbcf21eb9fe5e99b8bd4>

Authors:

 *Ann G. Bessell (University of Miami)<http://64.112.226.77/one/aera/aera08/index.php?click_key=2&cmd=Multi+Search+Load+Person&people_id=994705&PHPSESSID=0468ed1d3b5fbbcf21eb9fe5e99b8bd4>

 *Yaacov<http://64.112.226.77/one/aera/aera08/index.php?click_key=2&cmd=Multi+Search+Load+Person&people_id=962599&PHPSESSID=0468ed1d3b5fbbcf21eb9fe5e99b8bd4> Petscher (Florida Center for Reading Research)<http://64.112.226.77/one/aera/aera08/index.php?click_key=2&cmd=Multi+Search+Load+Person&people_id=962599&PHPSESSID=0468ed1d3b5fbbcf21eb9fe5e99b8bd4>

 *David Harley Hensler (Florida Center for Reading Research)<http://64.112.226.77/one/aera/aera08/index.php?click_key=2&cmd=Multi+Search+Load+Person&people_id=1049426&PHPSESSID=0468ed1d3b5fbbcf21eb9fe5e99b8bd4>

 *Roxann<http://64.112.226.77/one/aera/aera08/index.php?click_key=2&cmd=Multi+Search+Load+Person&people_id=1049428&PHPSESSID=0468ed1d3b5fbbcf21eb9fe5e99b8bd4> Rae Campbell (Florida Family Literacy Initiative)<http://64.112.226.77/one/aera/aera08/index.php?click_key=2&cmd=Multi+Search+Load+Person&people_id=1049428&PHPSESSID=0468ed1d3b5fbbcf21eb9fe5e99b8bd4>


Abstract:

Illiteracy is a growing crisis affecting many US families. Thus, many are hindered from pursuing improved family functioning and self-sufficiency. This critical issue is examined in our added-benefit investigation of child literacy outcomes of Florida Family Literacy Initiatives (FFLI) to Reading First support. The sample includes elementary students (n = 134) enrolled in Reading First schools with additional FFLI intervention, and a matched control group in Reading First schools only. Propensity score analysis used to match students, along with data maintained by Florida’s Center for Reading Research showed significant gains in kindergarten FFLI students’ letter-recognition compared to the control group, and trajectories indicating trends toward FFLI effectiveness on oral reading fluency across first-third grades. Implications and limitations are also discussed.


 Ann G. Bessell, Ph.D.
University: University of Miami
Research Assistant Professor
Department: Department of Teaching & Learning
5202 University Drive
Merrick Building 601
Coral Gables, FL 33146-2053
Phone: 305-284-5826
Fax: 305-284-2833
Email: agbessell at miami.edu<mailto:agbessell at miami.edu>
________________________________
From: familyliteracy-bounces at nifl.gov [familyliteracy-bounces at nifl.gov] On Behalf Of Kallen Tsikalas [ktsikalas at cfy.org]
Sent: Wednesday, March 19, 2008 12:24 PM
To: The Family Literacy Discussion List
Subject: [FamilyLiteracy 1074] Family Literacy presentations @ AERA next week?

Hello out there…

Is anyone in the family literacy community presenting next week at the AERA (American Educational Research Association) conference in NYC?  (I know that it’s nearly the same time as the Family Literacy Conference.)

If so, could you please share information on your sessions?  It would be great to meet folks in person and learn more about your work.

My team is presenting at a couple sessions.  In the first study, we explored some aspects of “family computing,” with an eye towards investigating family literacy more thoroughly in future studies.  We found that family computing was strongly and positively associated with participants’ academic engagement, but slightly negatively associated with their math achievement. Family computing almost always involved Internet activities.

The second study may be interesting to folks in this community b/c it involves a more novel way to engage adolescents (and perhaps adults and families) in reading activities – through simulation games.  The game I used for this study, Real Lives (see www.educationalsimulations.com<http://www.educationalsimulations.com/>) is largely text-based but even so, it was motivating for even the lowest-level readers in my sample—early adolescents reading at grade level 2 and 4.  The reason why it’s so engaging is that as a player, you become a character in a potentially real life drama.  The choices you make have consequences on the outcome of your character’s life and their family’s life.  In the process, you learn a lot of information about culture, geography, employment, money management, and even relationships.

Best regards,
--Kallen :)


(1) Home Computing, School Engagement, and Academic Achievement of Low-Income Adolescents: Findings from the CFY Intervention

Scheduled Time: Fri, Mar 28 - 12:25pm - 1:55pm<http://64.112.226.77/one/aera/aera08/index.php?click_key=1&cmd=Multi+Search+View+Program+Load+Scheduled+Times&schedule_day=2008-03-28+13%3A55%3A00&highlight_box_id=39472&PHPSESSID=b5a3011d339a2b943c618f708545508c>
Building/Room: Sheraton New York Hotel & Towers / Carnegie Suite East, 3rd Floor
Session: Learning In and Out of School: Formal Settings, Nonformal Settings, and the Interplay Between Them<http://64.112.226.77/one/aera/aera08/index.php?click_key=1&cmd=Multi+Search+Search+Load+Session&session_id=45933&PHPSESSID=b5a3011d339a2b943c618f708545508c>
Authors: Kallen E. Tsikalas (Computers for Youth)<http://64.112.226.77/one/aera/aera08/index.php?click_key=1&cmd=Multi+Search+Load+Person&people_id=985120&PHPSESSID=b5a3011d339a2b943c618f708545508c>; Jihyun Lee (ETS)<http://64.112.226.77/one/aera/aera08/index.php?click_key=1&cmd=Multi+Search+Load+Person&people_id=968525&PHPSESSID=b5a3011d339a2b943c618f708545508c>

Abstract:
This study examines the relationship between specific home computing practices and low-income adolescents’ school engagement and achievement. We surveyed 174 middle school students who participated in the Computers for Youth (CFY) program. More than 90% were Black or Hispanic, and a majority performed below grade level on reading and math standardized tests prior to receiving CFY’s intervention. We found that the students actively and regularly used their home computers and the Internet for learning and that their computer use was associated with increased success in school. Students’ engagement and home computer use, particularly their home Internet use and computer use for self-regulated learning, explained 14% of the variance in their 2006 math test scores over and above 2005 scores.



(2) Computer-Based Life Simulations and Young Adolescents: Identity Exploration, Information Learning, and Sense-Making

Scheduled Time: Wed, Mar 26 - 12:25pm - 1:55pm<http://64.112.226.77/one/aera/aera08/index.php?click_key=1&cmd=Multi+Search+View+Program+Load+Scheduled+Times&schedule_day=2008-03-26+13%3A55%3A00&highlight_box_id=41041&PHPSESSID=b5a3011d339a2b943c618f708545508c>
Building/Room: Hilton New York / Americas Hall, 3rd Floor
In Session: Science and Technology Learning Posters<http://64.112.226.77/one/aera/aera08/index.php?click_key=1&cmd=Multi+Search+Search+Load+Session&session_id=44941&PHPSESSID=b5a3011d339a2b943c618f708545508c>
Author: Kallen E. Tsikalas (Computers for Youth)<http://64.112.226.77/one/aera/aera08/index.php?click_key=1&cmd=Multi+Search+Load+Person&people_id=985120&PHPSESSID=b5a3011d339a2b943c618f708545508c>

Abstract:
This descriptive study examined patterns of play and learning within a computer-based life simulation game for 13 low-income, urban adolescents. Behavior log and structured interview data from 63 different simulated lives were used to characterize participants’ identity explorations, information learning, sense-making, beliefs and values. Findings suggest that students engaged in three types of identity exploration when playing the game – projective play, identified play and experimentation. Additionally, they were able to abstract personally-meaningful decision-making strategies about relationships, education, jobs, and money management. The research indicates that life simulation games can play a valuable role in supporting healthy adolescent development, and it outlines possible applications for teachers and counselors.


Kallen Tsikalas | National Director of Research & Learning Services
Computers for Youth (CFY)
322 8th Avenue | Floor 12A | New York, NY 10001
www.cfy.org<UrlBlockedError.aspx>



Join us for the 17th Annual National Conference on Family Literacy!
"Literacy Grows Families and Communities"
March 30, 31, & April 1, 2008-Louisville, KY
Register online at www.famlit.org/conference<http://www.famlit.org/conference>