Project Activities
Researchers will conduct a randomized controlled trial to test the efficacy of the Spanish adaptation of Literacy Express on low-income preschool English language learners (ELL) at risk for developing disabilities. Across the first three years of the project, 102 preschool classrooms (34 per year) will be recruited and randomly assigned into the Literacy Express or SECP condition. Eight children screened for disability risk will be recruited from each preschool classroom. Pre- and post-assessments will be conducted during the preschool year, and a follow-up will be conducted in kindergarten to assess whether the effects of the intervention are sustained after the intervention year. Outcomes will include measures of child literacy, language, math, and social skills and teacher instructional practices.
Structured Abstract
Setting
This study will be conducted in preschool classrooms in Texas.
Sample
The study will target 4-year-old ELL children from low-income families who are at risk for developing disabilities.
Intervention
The Spanish adaptation of Literacy Express is a comprehensive, small-group focused, school readiness curriculum for improving literacy, language, and math in ways that also support social skills for at-risk preschool children. The teachers and aides in the Literacy Express condition will receive training at the beginning and across the school year (five days total) in how to implement the curriculum. This training includes using data to inform the formation of the small groups that will occur across four 15-minute modules (90 minutes total) and two 15-minute curriculum-linked center activities four days each week. Content topics for training will include: 1) professional practices (including classroom management and supportive teaching styles); 2) language building activities; 3) conducting book readings in ways that promote language/literacy skills (e.g., word repetition); 4) using effective teaching strategies to build language comprehension and expression (e.g., linking words to literature); 5) print and book awareness; 6) motivation to read; 7) phonological awareness; 8) alphabet knowledge and early word recognition; 9) written expression; and 10) mathematics. The training will include didactic information, discussion, role playing of the instructional activities and specialized dual-language scaffolding techniques. It also will include guidance on using a personal digital assistant (PDA) progress monitoring system to inform the formation of the small learning groups and guide instruction. Further support for teachers' and teacher aides' effective use of PDA monitoring information will come from monthly mentor visits.
Research design and methods
This study will utilize a three-cohort cluster randomized trial. One classroom will be selected per school, and children will be nested within classroom. Classrooms will be randomly assigned to the Literacy Express intervention or to the business as usual SCEP condition. Eight children will be recruited from each classroom. Pre- and post measures will assess immediate effects of the intervention, and follow-up in kindergarten will assess sustained effects of the intervention.
Control condition
Classrooms assigned to this condition will represent standard practice (i.e., "business as usual") in their districts. They will receive the Scholastic Early Childhood Program(SECP) curriculum, which focuses on large group and center-based activities. They will also receive paraprofessional support 90 minutes per day, four days per week.
Key measures
Multiple measures will be used to assess child literacy, language, math, and social skills, as well as teacher instructional practices. The researchers will also collect data on the fidelity of the intervention implementation.
Data analytic strategy
To test the efficacy of the Spanish adaptation of Literacy Express while adequately addressing the nested structure of the data, the team will conduct multilevel analyses that account for repeated measurements of individuals across time. Researchers will test hypotheses with mixed-model analysis of covariance. These analyses will include variables that may moderate or mediate the outcomes.
People and institutions involved
IES program contact(s)
Products and publications
Products: The products of this project include evidence of the efficacy of the Spanish adaptation of the Literacy Express intervention, published reports, and presentations.
ERIC Citations: Find available citations in ERIC for this award here.
Journal article, monograph, or newsletter
Landry, S.H., Anthony, J.L., Swank, P.R., and Monseque-Bailey, P. (2009). Effectiveness of Comprehensive Professional Development for Teachers of At-Risk Preschoolers. Journal of Educational Psychology, 101(2): 488-465. doi:10.1037/a0013842
Questions about this project?
To answer additional questions about this project or provide feedback, please contact the program officer.