INTRODUCTION

The "Parents-as-Partners-as-Learners" (PaPaL) project is based on the proposition that literacy begins in the home and is further developed at school. It is more particularly based on the recognition that the reverse is true. illiteracy begins in the home and may be exacerbated by the school system. Adult illiteracy is not a disease that one catches as a grownup, but is rather a condition that develops slowly and painfully during childhood and adolescence. Until, as an adult you try to avoid the written word, bury your frustrations and conceal your inabilities. It is extremely difficult to risk taking another chance on education.

When people who have literacy problems become parents there is the possibility of the cycle of illiteracy continuing. There is also the possibility of using the challenge of parenthood to find the courage to try again. The school system is in an excellent position to facilitate this happening by their dealings with parents and their children.

The longterm goal of PaPaL is to see the atmosphere in schools become so supportive and co-operative that:

1. parents routinely read to their children and listen to them read;

2. school staff are able to encourage parents to improve their own basic skills when that is needed;

3. adult basic education becomes a recognized and accepted part of the school community.

This project has been and is still being developed by the Literacy Program, Adult Education Services of the Eastern Townships School Board in Quebec. It came about because of good communication between school boards within and outside the Province.

Thanks are due to the following people for their help and encouragement:

• Joyce White, Adult Education Services, Ottawa Board;
• Dale Shuttleworth, Board of Education of the Municipality of York;
• Leila Aikin, E.T.S.B.: the first teacher to volunteer to do a project;
• Louise Caron, E.T.S.B., under whom it began;
• Doug Grant, Director of Adult Education Services, E.T.S.B.;
• Tom Matthews, Director of Education Services, E.T.S.B.;
• Ann Gauvin, Regional Animator, Quebec Literacy Working Group;
• Juel Weideman, Executive Director, Laubach Canada.

The guide has been produced under a grant from the National Provincial Literacy program, administered by QLWG. It is a working document which is designed to inspire other people to experiment along the same lines and share their experiences with the author.

One final note of thanks is for Lucie Taylor, who has patiently dealt with the flood of printed materials concerning "Parents-as-Partners-as-Learners" and who has always been willing and able to type to meet deadlines, this time with the help of Lois Dustin.