Average Treatment Effect of the Early Language and Literacy Initiative on Preschoolers' Learning

• In Event: Early and Elementary Literacy

Abstract

The current study details the academic impact of the Early Language and Literacy Initiative (ELLI) program. ELLI is a comprehensive language and literacy-centered early childhood initiative that was started in 2012 as a response to the need for community-based collective impact initiative to improve educational access and equity for young children. Participants were 1,046 preschool children. 82 children attended ELLI program. The 964 children in the control condition received business-as-usual preschool programming. Analysis of assessments completed by children in the fall and spring of the school year showed greater gains in early literacy and language skills for children who were enrolled in the ELLI classroom. Implications for early childhood program design and future research are discussed.

Authors

• Serena Jinxiu Liu, University of Florida
  Presenting Author

• Nicholas A Gage, WestEd
  Non-Presenting Author

• Margie Gillis, Haskins Laboratories
  Non-Presenting Author