Research Design

The professional development study is a randomized controlled evaluation of the effects of two forms of treatment to be delivered to teachers-coursework and consultation support-on observed effectiveness of implementation and interaction, and on gains in child outcomes in language and literacy. The course, offered in Spring 2008, will be an intensive, skill-focused didactic experience. Teachers will learn about the development of language and literacy, how interactions in early education settings influence language development and learning, and how high quality implementation of language and literacy curricula and activities leads to skill growth. Following random assignment to the coursework intervention, enrolled teachers will be then eligible for randomization into the consultancy, which will take place during the 2008-2009 school year. The consultancy will provide observationally-based, non-evaluative, practice-focused support and feedback for teachers through web-mediated remote consultation.

For more information about this study, please see our video.