Child and Family Literacy Development
Studies and Initiatives
Early Literacy Development Project
The goal of the Early Literacy Development Project is to develop, implement,
and evaluate methods and procedures that can be used to support parents' enhancement
of their young children's early literacy development. The project provides children
two to five years old literacy-rich learning opportunities in preschool classrooms
with parents actively involved in engaging their children in early literacy development
activities. The major outcome of this demonstration project is building and
strengthening the capacity of parents and other caregivers to provide young
children evidence-based early literacy development opportuniites and experiences.
back
Mediating Parents' Active Participation in their Children's Early Literacy Development
The goal of this study is to determine the effectiveness of mediating parent participatory
opportunities and active participation on child early literacy outcomes. The study participants
are 25 two to five year old children and their parents involved in the Early Literacy Development
Project. Data collection focuses on the factors and conditions contributing to successful parent
participation in providing their children early literacy experiences in a literacy rich environment
and the consequences of these experiences in terms of children's literacy competence.
back
Measuring Preschooler's Everyday Literacy Learning Opportunities
The focus of this project is the development of a measurement scale for assessing
young children's participation in everyday family and community activity settings that
are contexts for early literacy learning opportunities. The activity settings on the
scale were identified through a literature review focusing on the particular everyday
activity settings that are empirically related to language and literacy competence. The
scale is being used as part of a national study investigating the relationship between
everyday learning opportunities and early preliteracy and literacy development.
back
Measuring Preschooler's Early Literacy and Literacy Development
This initiative involves the development of a scale measuring children's early literacy and literacy competence from birth to six years of age. The instrument
includes six subscales measuring print awareness, phonological awareness, alphabetic
awareness, text comprehension, written language, and oral language (CASEmakers, Volume 1, Number 3).
Normative data is being collected as part of a national study of parents of preschool-aged children.
back
Characteristics and Consequences of Effective Literacy Instruction
The purpose of this study is to identify the characteristics and consequences
of effective reading instruction with early elementary aged children. Data from the
National Reading Panel Report on reading instruction are being reanalyzed to
identify the characteristics of instructional methods and strategies that are
empirically related to reading success. The reanalysis is being conducted using
a characteristics/consequences framework that attempts to isolate those aspects
of instructional practices that matter most in terms of influencing child competence.
back
Preschool to School Readiness Literacy Project
The purpose of this study is to develop, implement, and evaluate
early literacy and literacy development activities and experiences that enhance
children’s opportunities to develop literacy skills which prepare children for
school success. Children’s literacy skills are facilitated using interest- and
asset-based approaches in both home and preschool settings.
back
Assessment Methods and Procedures of Early Literacy and Literacy Development Project
The purpose of this project is to examine the characteristics
and consequences of methods and procedures for assessing different
aspects of early literacy and literacy experiences and development. Study
activities focus on: (1) identifying asset-based assessment measures and
procedures, (2) conducting functional and contextual assessments of literacy
competence, and (3) developing interest- and asset-based assessment methods that
utilize assessment information in planning child and adult literacy-rich learning
opportunities and experiences.
back
Characteristics and Consequences of Intervention Practices Promoting Child and Family Early Literacy and Literacy Development
This study is focusing on identifying, implementing, and evaluating the
characteristics and consequences of child and family early literacy and
literacy development intervention practices in home and community settings.
The purpose of this study is to identify the characterisitics of intervention
practices that matter most in terms of influencing child and family literacy competence.
back
Literacy Practices Utilization Project
The major goal of this project is to develop, implement, and
evaluate strategies for promoting elementary school teachers' use
of evidence-based reading instructional practices. A literacy practices
scale is being developed to assess teachers' understanding of and
capacity to mediate the literacy learning of elementary school-aged
children. The scale will include practice indicators describing what
teachers can do to engage students in literacy learning promoting literacy proficiency.
back
Characteristics and Consequences of a Literacy Tutoring Project
The purpose of this project is to examine the tutoring methods and
strategies that promote a child’s literacy learning and development in
early elementary aged children. The goal is to develop an asset-based
tutoring model and approach to enhance children’s acquisition of literacy
competence. Information gathered as part of this project will be used to
implement an after-school literacy tutoring program for early elementary school children.
back
Characteristics and Consequences of Effective Adult Literacy Practices
The purpose of this study is to identify, implement, and evaluate
the characteristics and consequences of evidence-based adult literacy
learning practices. Study activities focus on identifying and providing
adults learning opportunities in home and community settings which use
interest- and asset-based participatory literacy experiences and activities
as contexts for literacy learning. The outcomes of this study are to
identify and promote use of evidence-based adult literacy supports and practices.
back
Early Literacy and Literacy Practitioner’s Training Project
The purpose of this study is to develop, implement, and evaluate a
early literacy and literacy training program that strengthens practitioners’
confidence and competence in adopting and implementing evidence-based
literacy development practices. The focus of training opportunities is
practitioners’ capacity-building strategies that: (1) expand on their
current knowledge of literacy development, (2) promote dialogue about
the key characteristics of literacy learning and literacy developmental
practices, and (3) provide opportunities to use evidence-based strategies
to improve literacy learning.
back
Literacy Interventions for Students with Disabilities
The purpose of these studies are to examine the characteristics and consequences of literacy intervention
for children with disabilities. Multiple basline single participant design studies are being conducted to
indentify the methods and strategies that are related to improved reading and writing competence and
confidence. The interventions constituting the focus of investigation use students' interests as the base of
strengthening performance.
back
