Figure 5 is a sample summary recording sheet for a parent reading inventory (Appendix 1, page 97) which was used by a variety of family literacy projects. The Parent Reading Inventory appears at entry as part of an initial parent survey and is used again by itself at the end of the program or in later follow up. On inspecting the inventory in Appendix 1, note that the inventory contains a mix of responses - some fill-in the blanks for opinions and some ratings from 1 to 4. The Figure 5 summary sheet has selected those items which are ratings, while the free comments may be used for later reference at your choice to give general impressions or to illustrate an example in report writing. Again, this is a general format. Please customize to meet your needs.

Don't Procrastinate - Maintain Summary Recording Routines

While ABE practitioners and others may using a portfolio approach for conferencing and learner self evaluation together with other more traditional procedures for recording assignment accomplishment, other programs may rely on observation to evaluate the level of learner participation. Examination of assessment strategies for caregiver and child observation on pages 105-106 in Progress Monitor Appendix 2 shows that observations may be coded in a numerical fashion for summary purposes. Thus, a rating of I to 3 was assigned to three levels of participation in parent-child reading activities. Such observer ratings may be recorded and summarized on monthly basis using a format suggested in Figure 7.

Obtain Learner Permission to Share Information

You probably have an interest in promoting your program for the purposes of developing additional funding sources or to create greater community awareness of what your program does. Learners may be willing to share in this enterprise by showing their accomplishments or the family activities of the program. In such cases, it is recommended that you draft a letter of permission for release of information (see sample in Figure 6), requesting that you be allowed to use certain information for stated limited purposes. Early discussion of how this type of information will be used can enable learners to take ownership of the program, by being involved in selecting what the program may share with others.