Department of Education
Dr. Tim Webb, Commissioner
Even Start
Even Start (ES) is a literacy based education program, for families deemed most-in-need, designed to improve the academic achievement of young children and their parents, especially in the area of reading.
The ES model has four components. They are:
- early childhood education;
- adult literacy (adult basic and secondary-level education, instruction for English language learners, and career and technical training);
- parenting education; and
- interactive parent and child learning together (PACT) time
In addition to the four components, ES personnel are required to visit the home of every participating family a minimum of one hour every month. Scheduling is determined at the local level.
Adults, and teen parents, who meet the criteria for most-in-need families are eligible. Participating children must be between the age of birth through age 7. A family may continue to participate after a child has reached the age of 8 for one of two reasons:
- The child has younger siblings within the household participating in the program. However, upon reaching the age of 8 years, a child will go into a monitoring phase. Services may still be rendered to the older child but at a reduced intensity or to address specific needs.
- Participating families will still be served an additional 2 years to allow the adults to continue or complete their educational goals.
All participating families must be those classified as most-in-need of program services based on the United States Department of Health & Human Services Poverty Guidelines. For a yearly, monthly, and approximate hourly income scale, go to the Oregon Center for Public Policy (OCPP).
Contact Information
Tabatha Siddiqi, State Coordinator Even Start Family Literacy
710 James Robertson Pkwy
Andrew Johnson Tower
9th Floor
Nashville, TN 37243
Phone: (615) 532-6310
Fax: (615) 532-4989
