Structured Abstract
Setting
This project is taking place in several elementary schools in a large southwestern city.
Sample
Two cohorts of kindergarten children are participating in this longitudinal research project. A total of 400 kindergarten children are participating. All participating children are Spanish-speaking and qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. Most of the children have had no preschool education.
Intervention
This project is developing a new curricular intervention entitled vocabulary and abstract language enhancement (VALE). Two versions of the curriculum are being developed: one that is delivered only in English, the other that is delivered both in English and in Spanish. The intervention provides instruction in 10 vocabulary words a week for 20 weeks, and weekly instruction in 4 abstract language skills (inferencing, summarizing, predicting, and formulating questions).
Research design and methods
Working together with participating teachers, the research team is selecting vocabulary words to instruct and books to use during instruction. The researchers are developing an integrated intervention package ready to be used by kindergarten teachers beginning in Fall 2005. Kindergarten children are randomly assigned to one of three conditions: English-only VALE, English/Spanish VALE, or a control group. The intervention is being delivered during the hour in the school day reserved for "tutorials." During tutorials all children receive academic help from educational specialists and volunteers in small groups. Kindergarten children who participate in the intervention in phase 1 will be assessed as first, second, and third graders. Children who participate as kindergartners in phase 2 will be assessed as first and second graders.
Control condition
Control children receive regular tutorial instruction.
Key measures
Children's vocabulary, abstract language, phonemic awareness, and alphabet knowledge are being assessed using both standardized and experimenter-developed measures. Standardized measures of reading comprehension are also being administered. Both home and school environments are being observed.
Data analytic strategy
Mixed-model repeated measures analyses are being used to evaluate the impact of the two versions of the curriculum as compared to the control. Growth curve modeling is being used to determine if the growth in vocabulary and reading comprehension are differentially impacted by participation in different groups. Multiple regression analyses are being used to describe which language and early literacy skills predict reading comprehension performance in second and third grades.
People and institutions involved
IES program contact(s)
Products and publications
ERIC Citations: Find available citations in ERIC for this award here.
Questions about this project?
To answer additional questions about this project or provide feedback, please contact the program officer.
