Intergenerational Literacy Program (ILP)
99 Hawthorn Street, Chelsea, MA 02150, USA - Map and Directions
Tel: 617-466-5154 

The Intergenerational Literacy Program (ILP) was begun in 1989 in Chelsea, MA by Dr. Jeanne R. Paratore, Professor of Education at Boston University. The program was developed to achieve three goals:

1. Improve the English literacy of parents.
2. Support the literacy development and academic success of their children.
3. Conduct research on the effectiveness of an intergenerational approach to literacy.

Since 1989, the ILP has offered literacy instruction to parents and their children, but the program has expanded in recent years. In 2009, the ILP expanded to offer an ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) level 1 class and a Spanish language high school equivalency preparation course. In 2012, the program also added adult basic education in Spanish, ESOL levels 2 and 3, and additional Spanish high school equivalency and courses. In 2015, the ILP expanded further to include high school equivalency classes in English and Spanish and ESOL instruction to meet the needs of out-of-school youth, most of whom have recently arrived in the U.S.

Longitudinal studies of ILP children demonstrated continued high academic achievement. Children who were studied 10 years after their parents participated in ILP showed higher attendance rates, higher promotion rates, and higher high school graduation rates than their non-ILP peers.

The Intergenerational Literacy Program offers classes in English as a Second Language, high school equivalency (HISET and GED), and offers classes for pre-school and school aged children so that parents attending classes will know that their children are well cared for and learning at the same time.  See Classes for more details.