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G2S Project Code: 2014-CA-72190
State: California
Fiscal Year: 2014
Grantee
SANTA CLARITA PUBLIC LIBRARY

Project Director
Director Name: Erin Christmas
Director Phone: 661-799-6105
Director Email: echristmas@santaclaritalibrary.com
General Information
Title: Homework Help: Parent Edition/Ayuda con Tareas Para Padres
State Project Code: 40-8407
Start Date: 09/01/2014
End Date: 06/30/2015
Abstract: Homework Help: Parent Edition was an 8-week class series held twice a week for Spanish speaking parents. Using in-class and online instruction; participants learned basic computer skills, parenting skills and basic English skills. With improvement in these skill areas, parents who participated in the class reported an increase in the amount of time they spent helping their children with homework. In addition, participants reported a positive change in how they were able to assist their children with homework.


State Goal: Goal I: Literate California
Budget Information
LSTA
MATCH-State
MATCH-Other
Total
$4,997.00
$0.00
$9,922.00
$14,919.00
Intent(s)
Improve users' general knowledge and skills.
Education
Activities
Activity Details
Title: Computer and Parenting Skill Instruction
Narrative: For each class session; computer skills instruction and parenting skills instruction were offered as in-person classes for participants to attend. Computer skills instruction focused on email creation, basic typing skills, internet safety and basic Microsoft Word skills. Parenting skills instruction focused on the importance f homework assistance, the necessity of after school routines for school success and the importance of reading together as a family. 
Intent: Improve users' general knowledge and skills.

Activity: Instruction
Mode: Program
Format: In-person


Quantity
Session length (minutes): 90
Number of sessions in program: 10
Average number in attendance per session: 15
Number of times program administered: 3


Partner Information
Organization Type of Partner Organization(s):
Libraries: No
Historical Societies or Organizations: No
Museums: No
Archives: No
Cultural Heritage Organization Multi-type: No
Preschools: No
Schools: No
Adult Education: No
Human Service Organizations: No
Other: No


Legal Type of Partner Organization(s):
Federal Government: No
State Government: No
Local Government (excluding school districts): No
School District: No
Non-Profit: No
Private Sector: No
Tribe/Native Hawaiian Organization: No


Beneficiaries
Is the activity directed at the library workforce: No
For a targeted group or for the general population: Targeted
Geographic community of the targeted group: Suburban
For what age groups: 18-25 years
26-49 years
50-59 years
For what economic types: Economic Not Applicable
For what ethnicity types: Hispanic
Is the activity directed at families: No
Is the activity directed at intergenerational groups: No
Is the activity directed at immigrants/refugees: No
Is the activity directed at those with disabilities: No
Limited functional literacy or informational skills: Yes
Is the activity category not already captured: Yes: Monolingual Spanish Speakers


Locale
Is the activity state-wide: No
Specific Locations: No
Library Types
Public Libraries: 1
Academic Libraries: 0
SLAA: 0
Consortia: 0
Special Libraries: 0
School Libraries: 0
Other: 0
Activity Details
Title: English Skills Improvement
Narrative: Participants established accounts with Pronounciator an online language database to improve their English skills. This was a drop-in activity for participants each week of the program. 
Intent: Improve users' general knowledge and skills.

Activity: Instruction
Mode: Consultation/drop-in/referral
Format: Virtual


Quantity
Total number of consultation/reference transactions: 0
Average number of consultation/reference transactions per month: 0


Partner Information
Organization Type of Partner Organization(s):
Libraries: No
Historical Societies or Organizations: No
Museums: No
Archives: No
Cultural Heritage Organization Multi-type: No
Preschools: No
Schools: No
Adult Education: No
Human Service Organizations: No
Other: No


Legal Type of Partner Organization(s):
Federal Government: No
State Government: No
Local Government (excluding school districts): No
School District: No
Non-Profit: No
Private Sector: No
Tribe/Native Hawaiian Organization: No


Beneficiaries
Is the activity directed at the library workforce: No
For a targeted group or for the general population: Targeted
Geographic community of the targeted group: Suburban
For what age groups: 18-25 years
26-49 years
50-59 years
60-69 years
For what economic types: Economic Not Applicable
For what ethnicity types: Hispanic
Is the activity directed at families: No
Is the activity directed at intergenerational groups: No
Is the activity directed at immigrants/refugees: No
Is the activity directed at those with disabilities: No
Limited functional literacy or informational skills: Yes
Is the activity category not already captured: No


Locale
Is the activity state-wide: No
Specific Locations: No
Library Types
Public Libraries: 1
Academic Libraries: 0
SLAA: 0
Consortia: 0
Special Libraries: 0
School Libraries: 0
Other: 0
Project Outcomes
Project Outcomes
List any important findings or outcomes from your project:
Following the 8-week class, participants showed an increase in the amount of time they assisted their children with homework, an increase in the amount they read to their children and an increase in their use of email. By the end of the class, 58% of parents read to their children three or more times per week, 79% of parents assisted their child with homework three or more times per week, 95% of parents checked their child's homework three or more time per week and 100% of participants checked their email at least once per week. In addition to these quantitative changes, participants also expressed a positive change in how they were able to assist their children with their homework.
Please briefly describe importance of findings:
With an increase in confidence with English skills, computer skills and parenting skills; participants were more comfortable helping their children with homework. This is important because studies show that children who engage with their parents on homework and reading do better in school. Additionally, by gaining confidence in these areas, parents are better able to get assistance at the school or the library.
What methods did you use to determine your findings? Check all that apply:
Survey
Participant Observation
Based on outputs, outcomes and/or other results, explain any significant lessons learned from these findings for either the SLAA or others in the LIS field:
The successful use of the online language database Pronounciator for English skills development was a significant lesson for libraries looking to start an English skills improvement program at their library. Use of an online resource for this will move the library away from reliance on bilingual staff and volunteers. Additionally, the annual subscription cost for an online language database is significantly less than the cost of an instructor. If measurable success continues with the use of Pronounciator for language education this could be a game changer for English skills programs across the state.
Do you anticipate continuing this project after the current reporting period ends:
Yes
Do you anticipate any change in level of effort:
Yes: Going forward this class will most likely not offer a class binder for participants. The funding going forward will be local and here will not be LSTA or in-kind funds used.
Do you anticipate any change in the project's scope:
No
Do you anticipate any other changes in the project:
Yes: The main change for this project will be determining how to replicate the computer instruction with the use of the chromebooks. Additionally, we will look at breaking up the class into three separate classes with greater focuses on computer skills, English skills and parenting skills.
Exemplary: No
Exemplary Narrative
Project Tags: