Purpose: In this project, the researchers aimed to evaluate the efficacy of two preschool curricula that emphasize building beginning reading skills—Open Court Pre-K/DLM Express and Literacy Express—against business-as-usual. In addition, the investigators proposed to evaluate the effects of using standard workshops as the method of teacher training with the curricula and business-as-usual compared to workshops with follow-up in-class coaching. The researchers' goal was to determine whether the curricula and teacher training strategies lead to different learning results for students with various characteristics.

Structured Abstract

THE FOLLOWING CONTENT DESCRIBES THE PROJECT AT THE TIME OF FUNDING

Sample: In the first phase, 300 four-year-old children in Florida pre-K programs are participating. A second cohort of 300 additional 4-year-old children will join the study in the second phase. The sample includes children from diverse family, racial, ethnic, and neighborhood backgrounds, as well as children with developmentally delayed learning skills. The majority of children are African Americans from low-income families.

Research Design and Methods: Using a block-randomization research design, the researchers assigned 16 schools to 1 of 3 curricula conditions: Open Court Pre-K/DLM Express, the Literacy Express, or the curriculum that is currently in place.

Products and Publications

ERIC Citations: Find available citations in ERIC for this award here.

WWC Review: National Center for Education Research. (2008). Effects of Preschool Curriculum Programs on School Readiness. Report from the Preschool Curriculum Evaluation Research Initiative. NCER 2008–2009. https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED502153.pdf [WWC Review]

Select Publications:

Journal articles

Lonigan, C.J. (2006). Development, Assessment, and Promotion Of Preliteracy Skills. Early Education and Development, 17 (1): 91–114.

Phillips, B.M., and Lonigan, C.J. (2009). Variations In The Home Literacy Environment Of Preschool Children: A Cluster Analytic Approach. Scientific Studies of Reading, 13 (2): 146–174.

IES published report (GPO)

Preschool Curriculum Evaluation Research Consortium (2008). Effects of Preschool Curriculum Programs on School Readiness (NCER 2008–2009). U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Research. Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office.