Family, Career and Technical Education
HIPPY
HIPPY: Program Description
The Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngsters (HIPPY) is a home-based, early intervention program that helps parents provide educational enrichment for their preschool children ages three, four, and five. The HIPPY curriculum contains 30 weeks of activity packets written in a structured format that provides guidance for the parents and ensures a successful learning experience for the parents and their children. By supporting parents, HIPPY’s primary goal is to increase vulnerable children’s success in school and, ultimately, in adult life.
Louisiana HIPPY Sites 2007-08
Word
Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngsters Home Page
HIPPYKIDS (Terrebonne Parish)
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History of HIPPY
The first HIPPY program in Louisiana began in the New Orleans Public School System in 1987. State funds are now provided for six additional programs in the following school districts: City of Bogalusa, Caddo, East Baton Rouge, Lafayette, Rapides, and Richland. Two additional sites, Jefferson and Pointe Coupee School Districts, were established through funding from the Reading for Excellence Act. Originally placed within the Governor’s Office, HIPPY is currently administered by the Louisiana Department of Education. The Louisiana Department of Education has successfully participated as a partner in a National Direct AmeriCorps project for three years, from 1997 - 2000, and in a State AmeriCorps project for the last six years. Our participation in AmeriCorps helps to expand services to more vulnerable families throughout Louisiana and gives home visitors the opportunity to earn an education voucher to continue their education or to pay existing school loans. The Louisiana Department of Education received $1.8 Million in TANF funds for fiscal year 2002 – 2003 to begin six new programs, maintain two and expand three existing sites. Between 950 to 1,000 more Louisiana families will benefit from this early childhood program annually.
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Program Impact
• Over half of parents spent 1 - 4 hours each week reading or telling stories to their children.
• Three-quarters of parents reported their children expressed interest and enthusiasm to read or look at books or printed text.
• Fifty-two percent of parents increased their positive reading habits since beginning HIPPY.
• Sixty-nine percent of parents now limit how much time their children are allowed to watch television on weekdays.
• Ninety-three percent of parents talked with their children about school, and 91% checked homework daily.
• Teachers rated nearly three-quarters of the children displaying good motivation to learn and doing well in comparison to other classmates.
• Teachers knew 72% of HIPPY children’s mothers by sight.
• Over three-quarters of HIPPY children were ranked by their teachers as being at least average for their age in all categories of verbal (expressive, receptive, and attention to details) behaviors.
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Performance Indicators
• Successfully completing kindergarten is one of the indicators used to determine effectiveness of HIPPY. In 2005, 96% of HIPPY students successfully completed kindergarten
• Completion rate of Louisiana HIPPY families is another indicator. In 2004-05, 96% of the families completed 30 weeks of HIPPY activities.
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