07-20-2018, 03:20 PM
Project Description
The MLD Kindergarten All Stars program is a successful new program to prepare kids for entering Kindergarten. We’re interested in expanding the program but want to include a strong evaluation component to help us understand the impact of the resources allocating to the program and justify requesting additional resources (or grants) to expand it.
Question/Problem Statement:
What is the question that needs to be answered or the problem that needs be solved?
Is this program effective in preparing kids for Kindergarten? Our focus has been on the kids participating, but we don’t presently have a broader program evaluation, only an in-class pre-test and post-test. Does this program increase the kids’ knowledge/skills and how can we test that without access to the private school IRI (state reading) test? Does this program have any impact at all on parents? Does the program affect any change in behavior at home in the adults helping the kids with enriching activities?
Statement of Why:
Why does the library need this answer/solution? What will the library be able to do after it has this answer/solution?
A recent United Way Community Assessment found that 62% of children in Ada County are not enrolled in Preschool and only 67% of children enter kindergarten ready to read. Couple this with no state funded preschool and only half day Kindergarten, there is a demonstrated need in Meridian for access to early literacy programming and early education. By reducing barriers to accessing the information families need to prepare their kids and supporting adults to develop those skills at home, Meridian Library can help fill part of that gap.
The MLD Kindergarten All Stars program is a successful new program to prepare kids for entering Kindergarten. We’re interested in expanding the program but want to include a strong evaluation component to help us understand the impact of the resources allocating to the program and justify requesting additional resources (or grants) to expand it.
Question/Problem Statement:
What is the question that needs to be answered or the problem that needs be solved?
Is this program effective in preparing kids for Kindergarten? Our focus has been on the kids participating, but we don’t presently have a broader program evaluation, only an in-class pre-test and post-test. Does this program increase the kids’ knowledge/skills and how can we test that without access to the private school IRI (state reading) test? Does this program have any impact at all on parents? Does the program affect any change in behavior at home in the adults helping the kids with enriching activities?
Statement of Why:
Why does the library need this answer/solution? What will the library be able to do after it has this answer/solution?
A recent United Way Community Assessment found that 62% of children in Ada County are not enrolled in Preschool and only 67% of children enter kindergarten ready to read. Couple this with no state funded preschool and only half day Kindergarten, there is a demonstrated need in Meridian for access to early literacy programming and early education. By reducing barriers to accessing the information families need to prepare their kids and supporting adults to develop those skills at home, Meridian Library can help fill part of that gap.