Christopher Robert

The start of the new year marks several major milestones for PRIME TIME and we want to thank you, our partners and supporters for making it possible!  Numbers can be a powerful and simple way to convey meaning and today we want you to remember these PRIME TIME milestone numbers: 20, 1,000, 40,000 and 7,000,000!

First, we celebrate 20 years of sustained high quality, outcomes-driven and family focused programming.  This, of course, could not have been possible without the resolute commitment of so many who have contributed resources, talent and time year after year to make this one of the most respected and sustained humanities-based family literacy programs in the nation. 

Second, at the end of 2010, PRIME TIME achieved the completion of over 1,000 programs throughout the nation. Since inception in 1991, 536 programs have been conducted in Louisiana; reaching over 20,000 participants. Nationally, 547 programs have been completed in other U.S. states and territories, reaching nearly 20,000 participants.  In total, 1,083 programs have been conducted with individual participant graduation totaling approximately 40,000!

Lastly, since inception in 1991, more than $7,000,000 has been invested in the development, implementation, and evaluation of this unique program.  With an emphasis on careful stewardship of public, private and federal dollars allocated to PRIME TIME, this overall investment represents a per participant cost of $175--proof that quality does not have to be sacrificed for cost-effectiveness.

In 2010, Stemming the Tide of Intergenerational Illiteracy: A Ten-Year Impact Study of PRIME TIME FAMILY READING TIME, a definitive longitudinal analysis of the program's impact on student achievement was released.  This ten-year study conducted in Louisiana offers statistical evidence that this preemptive approach to addressing the problem of intergenerational illiteracy significantly impacts and improves student learning.  PRIME TIME's at-risk students outperform their peers in virtually every subject area in virtually every grade.

Theresults of the study would have been impressive enough if PRIME TIME had enrolled half of a sample group of students and our half outperformed their peers.   But think of how extraordinary it is that this program engaged a disproportionate percentage of at-risk children, the bottom 25%, and THAT group outperformed the control group!  Additionally, not only did PRIME TIME participant  students outperform in the expected areas of language arts skills and reading, but across the board including mathematics, physical science, life science, algebra, number and number relations, geometry, etc.  In other words, PRIME TIME not only impacts reading, it impacts ALL dimensions of learning, or as we have maintained: "creates the precondition for all future learning!"

Louisiana and the nation continue to struggle with illiteracy, poverty, crime and numerous other social ills that limit its growth and prosperity, and PRIME TIME will continue to be part of the solution. 

We look forward to the next twenty years of delivering high quality humanities programming to children, families, and communities in Louisiana and with the help of our partners, nationwide.  

GPOA Foundation Supports PRIME TIME

Putting Your PRIME TIME Audience First

Dr. Margaret Mary Sullentic Dowell is an Assistant Professor of Reading Education in the Department of Educational Theory, Policy & Practice in the College of Education at Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge.  A long-time educator, Dr. Dowell became a PRIME TIME scholar in 2010, and also serves as a consultant to the PRIME TIME staff on issues regarding education. 

Dr. Dowell fully understands that the success of a PRIME TIME program hinges almost entirely on appropriate management and treatment of the audiences we strive to reach.  She demonstrates this understanding in an essay titled, "Audience Matters".  The ideal PRIME TIME discussion can only be achieved when the audience members feel comfortable, valued, and understand what is expected of them. In her essay, Dr. Dowell reinforces ideas that are shared during PRIME TIME trainings on how proper planning, organization, and a positive attitude combine to create the PRIME TIME environment.

All PRIME TIME team members would benefit from reading this excellent contribution to the newsletter.  For experienced team members, it serves as a reminder of the details that can easily be overlooked during a fast-paced session.  For new team members, it offers field-based expertise to further solidify the knowledge that was recently acquired at training.  Click here for the full article.

What's on Your Mind?

Existing team members are encouraged to help PRIME TIME practitioners throughout the United States continue their training by submitting a thoughtful entry on PRIME TIME methodology, implementation and/or success strategies to News and Views.  Contact Shantrell Adams for additional information.

On Saturday, December 4, 2010 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., New Orleans First Lady Cheryl Landrieu and Ruby Bridges hosted the 1^st Annual New Orleans Children's Book Festival on the grounds of the historic Latter Branch Library (5120 St. Charles Avenue).  The goal of the festival was to bring together children and adults to celebrate literature and the power of reading.  It was also meant to coincide with the celebration of the 50^th anniversary of the desegregation of New Orleans public schools, in which Ms. Bridges played an integral role when she integrated William Frantz Elementary School alone at the age of 6.

The event provided attending children and parents with a unique opportunity to interact with exceptional writers and storytellers and to enjoy an inspiring variety of book-related activities, exhibitions, and demonstrations.  Various community-based agencies were on hand to offer participants resources for continued education, tutoring, and literacy programming.  The book festival also promoted the many benefits of New Orleans public libraries and allowed attendees to further explore them by distributing library cards.

The LEH facilitated activities and presentations based on the PRIME TIME methodology; guiding families on strategies for bonding through reading and learning together.  Thanks to First Lady Cheryl Landrieu, Ruby Bridges, and the New Orleans Convention Company for inviting the LEH to participate in such an important and worthwhile event. 

Congratulations to all spring 2011 PRIME TIME grant recipients! Approximately 30 requests for PRIME TIME funding were received for the Spring 2011 term in Louisiana. However, due to drastically reduced state funding for the 2010-2011 fiscal year, only 4 programs could be covered (or partially covered).  As part of PRIME TIME's National Expansion project, 3 bilingual programs in Louisiana will be funded by the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH).  Grants and donations solicited from other sources will underwrite an additional 18 programs in the state. Click here for more information on these programs.

Spring 2011 Louisiana Sites

Alice Boucher World Languages Academy--Lafayette

Terrebonne Parish Library System; North Terrebonne Branch Library--Houma

ECFLF; Mahalia Jackson Early Childhood Family Learning Center--New Orleans

ECFLF; Mahalia Jackson Early Childhood Family Learning Center--New Orleans

Vermilion Parish Library; Abbeville Branch--Abbeville

St. Bernard Parish School Board; Chalmette Elementary--Chalmette

Jefferson Davis Title I Parent Center; Lake Arthur Elementary--Jennings

Volunteers of America of North Louisiana--Shreveport

CISNO; Eisenhower Academy for Global Studies--New Orleans

Louisiana Children's Museum--New Orleans

the Porch 7th Ward Cultural Organization--New Orleans

Park Forest Elementary School--Baton Rouge

Ouachita Parish Public Library-Monroe

Rapides Library; Main Branch--Alexandria

New Orleans Outreach; John Dibert Community School--New Orleans

New Orleans Outreach; Arthur Ashe Charter School--New Orleans

STAIR; Matas Elementary School--New Orleans

Literacy Council of SWLA; Iowa Branch Library--Lake Charles

Gillis Elementary School--Lake Charles

Lafourche Parish Library; South Lafourche Branch--Thibodaux

CISNO; Success Preparatory Academy--New Orleans

CISNO; Batiste Cultural Academy at Live Oak--New Orleans

CISNO; SciTech Academy at Laurel--New Orleans

ECFLF; Mahalia Jackson Early Childhood Family Learning Center--New Orleans

Romeville Elementary School--Convent

This spring, the PRIME TIME national expansion project, sponsored by the NEH, will continue to recruit multicultural audiences, including non-English speakers.  The remaining 13 programs will take place in Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Michigan, and Louisiana.  See below for details on each program. 

Spring 2011 NEH-Sponsored Sites

Arizona

Mission Branch Library

Mondays; 02/09/2011 - 03/16/2011 @ 5:30; 3770 S. Mission Road, Tucson, AZ 85713; 520-594-5325

Valencia Branch Library

Mondays; 04/25/2011 - 06/06/2011 @ 5:30; 202 W. Valencia Road, Tuscon, AZ 85706; 520-594-5390

Florida

North Lauderdale Saraniero Branch Library (Broward County Library System)

Tuesdays; 02/01/2011 - 03/08/2011 @ 6:00; 6901 Kimberly Blvd., North Lauderdale, FL 33068; 954-968-3840

Blake Library (Martin County Library System)

Mondays; 04/04/2011 - 05/16/2011 (skipping 04/18/2011) @ 6:30; 2351 SE Monterey Road, Stuart, FL 34996; 772-221-1401

Crescent City Branch Library (Putnam County Library System)

Thursdays; 03/10/2011 - 04/14/2011 @ 6:00; 610 N. Summit Street, Crescent City, FL 32112; 386-698-2600

Georgia

Chamblee Branch of DeKalb County Library System

Mondays; 03/14/2011 - 04/18/2011 @ 6:00; 4115 Clairmont Road, Chamblee, GA 30319; 770-936-1380

Lilburn Branch of Gwinnett County Public Library

Thursdays; 02/24/2011 - 03/31/2011 @ 5:30; 788 Hillcrest Road, Lilburn, GA 30047;

Louisiana

Louisiana Children's Museum

Tuesdays; 3/15/2011 - 4/19/2011 @ 6:00 pm; 420 Julia Street, New Orleans, LA 70130; 504-529-3666

Park Forest Elementary School

Tuesdays; 2/1/2011 - 3/15/2011 (skipping 3/8) @ 6:00 pm; 10717 Elain Street, Baton Rouge, LA 70814; 225-275-3194

Mahalia Jackson Early Childhood Family Learning Center

Tuesdays; 5/31/2011 - 7/5/2011 @ 5:30 pm; 2405 Jackson Ave., New Orleans, LA 70113; 504-529-2358

Michigan

Hackley Public Library

Thursdays; 02/10/2011 - 03/17/2011 @ 5:30; 316 West Webster Avenue; Muskegon, Michigan 49440; 231-722-7276

Hamtramck Public Library

Thursdays; 05/26/2011 - 06/30/2011 @ 6:00; 2360 Caniff St., Hamtramck, Michigan 48212; 313-365-7050

Highland Township Public Library

Wednesdays; 04/06/2011 - 05/11/2011 @ 6:00; 444 Beach Farm Circle, Highland, Michigan 48357; 248-887-2218