Let’s Know!2

About the Project

Language and literacy skills are key indicators of future outcomes for children. That’s why identifying children who may be at risk of future reading difficulties and intervening early is so important. To this end, numerous interventions have been developed for educators to use in supporting children’s skill development. The Let’s Know!2 research project will examine the effects of a Tier 2 intervention aimed at language-focused comprehension skills for elementary school students.

Tier 2 interventions are additional supports for students that go beyond standard curriculum. Let’s Know!2 will specifically examine the effects of a particular language-focused comprehension intervention for elementary students whose language skills are below average and who may be at risk for future reading comprehension difficulties.

The project builds off of work from Language and Reading Research Consortium, of which three lead investigators (Drs. Piasta, Hogan, and Bridges) were members. Let’s Know!2’s team of investigators span multiple institutions including The Ohio State University, Massachusetts General Hospital Institute of Health Professions, and the University of Kansas/University of Kansas Medical Center. The project is a five-year project funded by the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders at the National Institutes of Health.

Listen to Dr. Hogan and Dr. Piasta talk about the importance of educational research, including projects like Let’s Know!2 on the See Hear Speak podcast.

IN THE NEWS

Read Massachusetts General Hospital Institute of Health Professions’ article, “New Research Grant Could be a Game Changer for Struggling Readers.”

Read the Crane Center announcement, “Dr. Piasta and colleagues awarded grant to translate research into school-based practice.”

Project Objectives

Grade 1 students in Ohio and Massachusetts will complete language screenings to identify those who may benefit from additional language and comprehension support. Some students will be randomly assigned to receive intervention from Let’s Know!2 research staff. All students will complete language and reading assessments in Grades 1, 2, and 3. The goal is to determine whether the intervention increases reading and language skills and thereby improves reading comprehension.

AIM 1:
Determine the efficacy of Let’s Know!2 for promoting the language skills of Grade 1 students who are at risk for comprehension difficulties due to low language.

AIM 2:
Determine the efficacy of Let’s Know!2 for promoting the comprehension skills of Grade 1 students who are at risk for comprehension difficulties due to low language.

AIM 3:
Determine the extent to which intervention effects are moderated by implementation and child factors.