Web Resources
> Parenting > Partners
in Literacy Support
Partners in Literacy Support
indicates local interest.
|
About 44 million adults in the United States are
functionally illiterate, meaning that they do not have the reading, writing, speaking or
math skills necessary for many life activities.
Low literacy is costing
United States businesses and taxpayers $20 billion a year in lost wages,
profits, and productivity.
The number of illiterate
adults is slowly, but steadily on the rise.
Building Literacy
Research has shown that children who read
succeed. Reading and education help break the cycle of poverty, crime and hopelessness.
Today's best-equipped school and public
libraries provide books, computers and a wide range of programs to prepare young people to
live and work in the 21st century. When both types of libraries are well-supported, they
offer a one-two punch for literacy and lifelong learning.
In the year 2000, just
51% of all United States homes had a computer and 41% of all United States
homes had Internet access. Therefore, public and school libraries are uniquely positioned to connect
all children - not just those whose families can afford computers - to the information
superhighway.
Back to Top
Baltimore County Public Library Services
The Baltimore County Public Library maintains collections of materials in
various formats for learning and personal enrichment.
The following materials
will help to gain success in reading and
basic mathematics:
Books, DVDs and
CDs to learn
English as a foreign language.
Books and DVDs
for parents/teachers to
help a child learn to read.
Books and DVDs
on
basic mathematics.
Books and DVDs
to help children with
phonics.
Books
for
teaching reading to adults.
Dedicated staff who encourage a love of
reading in children through programs, printed and online booklists and one-on-one interaction.
Story Times for babies and young children and programs on
reading aloud techniques for teachers, daycare providers and parents.
A popular
summer reading program for over
24,000 children that integrates reading skills with fun, games and the Baltimore
County Public Library mascot, Sneaks.
Birth to Five pages support
"parents as first teachers". There are
baby booster kits and
other early
literacy resources for parents/caregivers of
children ages 0-5 to get children started on the
adventure of reading.
Kid's Pages with
games, stories, homework help, and collections of
booklists, lists of award winning books and reading related Internet sites.
Storyline at
410-887-6116. Listen to stories read to you over the phone. Stories are
appropriate for ages 3 to 10.
Visits of
Mobile Library
Services' Read Rover to licensed daycare centers and home care providers to encourage a love of
reading in 2-5 year olds.
Back to Top
Baltimore County Public
Schools Services
Even Start Family Literacy
Contact: Deanna
Cavagna or Kathleen Mitchell, Coordinating
Resource Teachers
Baltimore County Public Schools
9610 Pulaski Park Drive, Suite 219
Baltimore, Maryland 21220
Telephone: 410-887-2345 or 2355
Free family literacy program which combines
early childhood education and adult education to meet the needs of the entire
family. The program offers early childhood activities, adult basic education/GED classes,
parent and child interaction time, parenting classes, family home visits, family
nights and field trips. education to employment, support group. Serves parents
who are eligible for Adult Basic Education, GED, English for Speakers of Other
Languages (ESOL) or Education to Employment classes, and who have at least
one child elementary school age or younger at the time of registration.
Home Instruction Program for Preschool
Youngsters (HIPPY)
Contact: Nancy Dillon Tobias, HIPPY Coordinating Resource Teacher
Baltimore County Public Schools
9610 Pulaski Park Drive, Suite 219
Baltimore, MD 21220
Telephone: 410-887-3037
HIPPY is a home-based program for parents
with children in pre-kindergarten and kindergarten in certain Title I schools to
provide educational enrichment for their preschool children. The program helps
these children build their skills and confidence before starting school. Parents
receive weekly home visits from a trained home visitor. The visitor brings the
classroom and appropriate readiness skills into the home to help parents teach
their four- and five-year olds. Home visits include role-playing of scripted
activities with parents, learning packets, storybooks, and materials. A parent
is requested to work with each child 15-20 minutes each day. The HIPPY program
follows the Baltimore County Public School calendar. Monthly group events are
scheduled with all HIPPY families. HIPPY helps parents make a strong home school
connection.
Middle School Literacy Teams
Contact: Margaret Elaine Berry, Coordinator, Office of English and Reading or
Della Curtis, Coordinator, Office of Library Information Services
Baltimore County Public Schools
6901 Charles Street
Towson, MD 21204
Telephone: 410-887-4018 or 410 887-4035
The Offices of English and Reading and Library Information Services have joined to craft the role of
the Literacy Team in all middle schools to foster school wide literacy by engaging students
in motivating activities and events and training teachers to promote skills, and interest
in reading for success in school, for pleasure, and for information.
Parent Support Services
Contact: B. Jane Gordon, Supervisor
Baltimore County Public Schools
600 Stemmers Run Road
Baltimore, MD 21221
Telephone: 410-887-6489
Parent Support Services is a program designed to increase student achievement
through their homes, schools, & communities. It assists parents in accessing
school system resources in order to enhance learning at home and to promote
parent involvement in the educational process.
The Parentmobile
Contact: Sue Hahn
Baltimore County
Public Schools
600 Stemmers Run Road
Baltimore MD 21221
410-887-0365
A traveling resource center with technological & material resources to assist
parents in helping their children learn. The Parentmobile travels to Baltimore
County schools, community fairs, apartment complexes, and local businesses.
Parent Services Assistants on the bus helps parents and community members access
information about Baltimore County Public Schools programs and resources.
Visitors can learn about the services and resources available to them and their
children that promote learning and increased student achievement. Call to
schedule an appointment.
Resource Centers for Families and Schools
Contact: B. Jane Gordon, Supervisor,
Baltimore County Public Schools
6901 Charles Street
Towson, MD 21204
Telephone: 410 887-6489
The Resource Centers for Families and Schools provides a wide range of services
to enhance instruction and family involvement in student achievement. These
centers furnish instructional resources and services to students, families,
child care centers, educators, and community members. They provide a home
school liaison and an outreach library for Baltimore County Public School
parents. Centers have instructional materials and production equipment,
programs/workshops, information and support for all Baltimore County students.
They offer information on special education and provide support for parents of
children with disabilities. Services include development of instructional
materials, a lending library of instructional materials for Baltimore County
Public School teachers, guidance materials for guidance counselors, and a Parent
Information Center. The locations of the resource centers are as follows:
Battle Monument
Resource Center for Families and Schools
7801 East Collingham Drive
Dundalk, MD 21222
Contact Barbara Flournoy
Telephone: 410 887-7147
Campfield Resource Center
for Families and Schools
6834 Alter Street
Baltimore, MD 21207
Contact: Nancy Murray
Telephone: 410 887-1269
Maiden Choice
Resource Center for Families and Schools
4901 Shelburne Road
Baltimore, MD 21227
Contact: Nancy Murray
Telephone: 410 887-3646
Middlesex Resource
Center for Families and Schools
142 Bennett Road
Baltimore, MD 21221
Contact: Barbara Flournoy
Telephone: 410 887-0321
Resource Center for
Families and Schools at White Oak & Parent Support in
Special Education Center
8401 Leefield Road
Baltimore, MD 21234
Contact: Angela Thomas
Telephone: 410 887-5281
Contact Jean Considine, Coordinator of Parent Support
Services in Special Education.
Telephone: 410-887-5443
School Library Media Center Programs
Contact: Della Curtis, Coordinator, Office of Library Information Services
Baltimore County Public Schools
6901 Charles Street
Towson, MD 21204
Telephone: 410-887-4035
Library media specialists in all K-12 Baltimore County Schools teach students information
literacy skills and foster a habit of reading and love of literature. Students and their
families have access to reading materials such as fiction and nonfiction books, magazines,
and reference materials as well as technology resources such at the Internet,
CD-ROMS, videos, computer programs, and other media. Also,
The Essential
Curriculum K-12 website has an extensive
collection of Internet links to help with homework, to activities, literature resources, award winning books, and reading
research. Content is geared to what is being covered in the classroom.
World
Languages- ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) Program
Contact: Susan C. Spinnato, Coordinator
Baltimore County Public Schools
The Office of World Languages
Commercentre Suite 275
1777 Reisterstown Road
Baltimore, MD 21208
410-887-6752
The ESOL (English for Speakers of Other
Languages) program is designed to serve public school students whose native
language is not English and to provide assistance to the schools that these
students attend. ESOL instruction is provided for students whose English
proficiency is not adequate for them to be fully successful in the regular
classroom. Listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills are all
emphasized.
Back to Top
Community College of Baltimore
County (CCBC) Services
Center for Adult and Family
Literacy Courses
For information call Academic Skills
Enhancement/General Education Diploma (ASE/GED)
Coordinator, 410-285-9456 or English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) Coordinator, 410-285-9453.
Academic Skills
Enhancement/ General Education Diploma Classes
Academic Skills Enhancement (ASE)
This class will help you brush up on your skills. Classes run for 10 weeks and
offer practical reading, writing and math skills for adults. Placement testing
is required at registration to enroll in this class. These programs are free,
but students wishing to keep or write in materials will be charged a small fee
payable at registration.
Academic Skills Enhancement (ASE)/General
Education Diploma (GED)
This course offers ASE and GED instruction on an individualized basis. These
classes also provide computer-assisted instruction. This course prepares
individuals for further education or employment. No registration fee, but
students wishing to keep or write in materials will be charged a small fee
payable at registration.
ASE/GED - Computer-Assisted Instruction
This course offers Academic Skills Enhancement and GED instruction. Class
instruction is individualized. Workplace, family, and other life issues are
also incorporated into instruction. Computer-assisted instruction is
available. Helps students gain basic education skills and/or skills necessary
to pass the GED test. Prepares students to progress to future education or
employment. Held at
Young Parent Support Center (Essex). Classes are free. Childcare (for
children 0-3 years of age) is provided for daytime programs only.
Transportation is available for both day and evening classes. Please call
410-853-3860 for further information or to make an appointment to
register.
ASE/GED Family Literacy
Join a family focused program. The daytime class is designed for parents with
elementary school age or younger children. Helps improve reading skills and
understanding of materials used in everyday, family, and job-related
situations. Individual instruction and group activities provided. Parenting
groups and home visits offered. Call the site you want to attend during class
times to make an appointment to register. No registration fee, but students
wishing to keep or write in materials will be charged a small fee payable at
registration.
Essential Skills Math
This 10-week class is designed to improve the mathematical abilities of
adults. Topics covered include decimals, fractions, percents, problem solving
and scientific calculator. A placement test at registration is required for
enrollment in this course. Registration fee charged. Books and materials are
included in the cost of the course.
Essential Reading Skills
This 10-week class is designed to improve the reading and writing abilities of
adults. Topics covered will include reading comprehension improvement, parts
of speech, vocabulary, sentence structure, and paragraph development. These
skills are necessary to transition to the GED course. A placement test at
registration is required for enrollment in this course. Registration fee
charged. Books and materials are included in the cost of the course.
English for
Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) Classes
ESOL Beginning
Learn beginning English for every day needs. Work on speaking, listening,
reading, and writing skills. New students must take a placement test at
registration. 10 weeks/60 hours. Free tuition: pay for book at registration if
you want to keep or write in it.
ESOL Family Literacy
Join a family focused program. Helps improve reading, speaking, and listening
skills and understanding of materials used in everyday, family, school, and
job-related situations. Learning activities provided for the children.
Individual instruction and group activities provided. Parenting groups and
home visits offered. Call the site you want to attend during class times to
make an appointment to register. No registration fee, but students wishing to
keep or write in materials will be charged a small fee payable at
registration. Pre-school and/or childcare provided at most sites.
ESOL Intermediate
Improve your speaking and listening skills. You will also be given many
reading, writing, and grammar activities. New Intermediate students must have
taken a placement test at registration. Returning students must have completed
the beginning level class. 10 weeks/60 hours. To enroll, see the ESOL
placement testing and registration chart. Free tuition; pay for your book at
registration if you want to keep or write in it.
ESOL Advanced
Focus on speaking, reading, and writing with fluency. Grammar and cultural
topics are emphasized. Your individual needs are addressed. To enroll, see the
ESOL placement testing and registration chart. New Advanced students must have
taken a placement test at registration. Returning students must have completed
the intermediate level class. 10 weeks/60 hours. Materials included.
Registration fee charged with discount for seniors.
Back to top
indicates local interest.
Baltimore County
Public Library, Towson Maryland USA
Last Revised:
07 July 2008
Feedback |
|