In the present study all of the families engaged in regular television and movie viewing. This medium, when used purposefully with programs carefully selected, could be included in the spectrum of literacy activities. Educational programming could be especially helpful to improve the literacy of low–income children who might be limited in their ability in their current circumstances to extend the scope of their worldview. However, the educators in this study looked upon the television as a negative entertainment force in the lives of these families, without seeing the possibility of it having any educational potential. They often voiced concerns about the young children watching movies with mature subject matter or staying up late at night to watch television and not getting sufficient rest.

As has been previously described, a serious shortcoming of our education system involves the promotion of one form of literacy, referred to as school literacy, and the subsequent failure to adequately acknowledge the value of other vernacular literacies. This results in schools unwittingly perpetuating a distancing between those in power and those not in the dominant class, reproducing social relationships that maintain the dominant structure in society. Thus, there is great need for acceptance of a common definition that is broad enough in scope to encompass the multiple literacies.

Classroom practices and school activities that construct a limited way of addressing literacy contribute to hierarchical and dominating practices. Guiding teachers in reflective practice may help them to engage in critical classroom practices and construct alternative ways of addressing literacy. Also, there is a range in modes of literacy expression beyond the written word, such as oral, visual and electronic. By showing students real life purposes or authentic uses of literacy, some students may be better able to connect in productive ways to curricular learning. Thus, the role of the everyday popular culture, television, radio and movies could be extended in the lives of the students.