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New Jersey Department of Education
Even Start Family Literacy Program
Program Components Administration Sheet

I. Adult Education (AE)

  • Minimum Required Offered Hours: 60 hours per month

  • Assessments (and who should receive them):

    • General Educational Development (GED): high school students (upon completion).
    • Test of Adult Basic Education (TABE): any English proficient adults (including those in high school).
    • Comprehensive Adult Student Assessment System (CASAS): any Limited-English Proficient (LEP) adults (including those in high school).
    • Basic English Skills Test (BEST) (optional): any LEP adults (including those in high school).
  • Frequency of Assessments: All program adults should be assessed at least 60 days after entry into the program AND after every 100 hours of educational instruction.

II. Early Childhood Education (ECE)

  • Minimum Required Hours: 60 hours per month. All school-aged children (within the age range served within the agency) should be in appropriate education settings. Non-school-aged children should be provided with age-appropriate services by the grantee or partner/collaborator.

  • Assessments (and who should receive them):

    • Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test (PPVT) III: all 3-5 year old program children.
    • Phonological Awareness Literacy Screening (PALS) Pre-K: all 4-5 year old program children who will be transitioning to kindergarten in the next school year.
  • Frequency of Assessments:

    • PPVT: a pre and post-test is required with a 6 month lapse in between testing. Pre-test may be done upon program enrollment.
    • PALS Pre-K: a pre and post-test is required, with a 6 month lapse in between testing. Programs are required to test children in the spring before they enter kindergarten.
  • Website:

III. Parenting Education (PE)

  • Minimum Required Hours: 20 hours per month (including P-CILA and HBE)

  • Assessments (and who should receive them):

    • Parent Education Profile (PEP): given to all actively participating adults in the program.
  • Frequency of Assessments: 3 months after entry into the program and 6 months thereafter.

IV. Home-Based Education (HBE)

  • Minimum Required Hours: 2 hours of home visits per month for all participating families (to be combined with 20 hours of Parenting Education).

Recommendations to assist programs for meeting the federally recommended required hours:

  • Adult Education:  15 hours offered per week
  • Early Childhood Education:  15 hours offered per week
  • Parenting Education (including P-CILA and HBE):  5 hours offered per week