Family Learning & Active Citizenship

1. Family Learning & Active Citizenship Isai - Romania January 2007 Mary Flanagan Amanda O’Connor

2. History of FL in Co. Clare • Pilot project in 1994 in response to requests from parents • Funding 1994 – Year of the family • Funding 1995 - 1997 EU Horizon project • Resource Pack developed & published in 2000 • FL training for Adult Literacy tutors outside Clare

3. Family Learning Resource Pack • Resource guide • 6 Parent workbooks • Jason’s Day storybook • Photopack • Poster • Also available in Irish

4. Family Learning 0-7 Children Learning 7-12 years Settling into Secondary School Family Maths FL & Primary School Curriculum Family Learning and Play ITC and Family Learning Culturally appropriate FL Themed sessions: Cookery, Crafts, Horticulture FETAC Modules Family Learning and Irish Courses 2006

5. Through Diversity of programmes Positive learning environments Trained facilitators Fun Focus of the courses Easily Achievable, Practical Activities Which encourage parents to recognise the home as a learning place and build on their skills as teachers

6. Tutor Training • Run training days to upskill FL and Adult Literacy tutors locally & nationally • Run workshops for NALA nationally • National resource for tutors offering Family Learning accredited modules • Delivered FL module on degree course with NALA/WIT

7. Irish Family Literacy - wider educational context • HSCL – The scheme ‘seeks to develop the parent as prime educator’ and places emphasis on the effectiveness of partnership between home and school based on principles of equality’ (Conaty 2002) • Early Start Pre-School Pilot Project – an element of the grant is set aside for developing parental involvement

8. Active Citizenship in Clare • Active Citizenship Voter Education Programme developed by Vincentian Partnership for Social Justice • Literacy tutors trained in 2004 & 2006 • Classes run countywide since 2004 • Voter registration campaign October 2006