About the Project
Children’s early language development is considered crucial for their school readiness and later reading success (Dickinson & Porche, 2011; Language and Reading Research Consortium, 2015; National Early Literacy Panel, 2008). However, more work is necessary to understand the malleable classroom factors associated with positive language gains for children enrolled in early childhood education.
The Promoting Preschoolers’ Early Language Learning (ProPELL) project is a 4-year study, funded by the Institute of Education Sciences, working in partnership with the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. The project uses the APPLE: Ohio dataset to further explore the language gains that children make during early childhood programming and factors related to these gains.
Project Objectives
ProPELL seeks to address the following overarching questions:
– 1 –
For children enrolled in early childhood programming, to what extent do their language gains predict their kindergarten readiness and grade 3 reading outcomes?
– 2 –
What classroom factors, including those regulated by policy, classroom practices, and other processes, are associated with children’s language gains during early childhood education?
Meet the Project Team
Shayne Piasta, PhD
Principal Investigator
Dr. Piasta’s research focuses on language and literacy development for preschoolers through elementary-aged children and how to best support development of these skills.
Learn more about Dr. Piasta here.
Jessica Logan, PhD
Co-Investigator
Dr. Logan’s research examines a wide range of statistical analysis to better understand children’s cognitive development and factors that contribute to it.
Learn more about Dr. Logan here.
Kelly Purtell, PhD
Co-Investigator
Dr. Purtell’s research examines how policies and practices can impact children’s early childhood education and promote developmental gains.
Read more about Dr. Purtell here.
Laura Cutler, PhD
Post-doctoral Researcher
Dr. Cutler examines how a child’s family environment shapes their early learning experiences, specifically with language and literacy development.
Rachel Schachter, PhD
Site Principal Investigator
Dr. Schachter’s research focuses on creating evidence-based supports that improve teachers’ practices and, in turn, improve outcomes for the children whom they teach.
Read more about Dr. Schachter here.
Clariebelle Gabas, PhD
Post-doctoral Researcher
Dr. Gabas’ research interests revolve around children’s language and literacy development including early writing skills, specifically for children from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
Read more about Dr. Gabas here.
Additional Team Members
We would also like to acknowledge our graduate and undergraduate research assistants at The Ohio State University and at the Nebraska Center for Children, Youth, Families and Schools, University of Nebraska-Lincoln.