A2i Assessment to Instruction
The purpose of this project is to complete development of the Assessment to Instruction (A2i) software, which is an integral part of the Individualizing Student Instruction (ISI) intervention.
A2i was originally developed as a research tool and evaluated for effectiveness in several large-scale, randomized control trials. A2i uses algorithms to compute recommended amounts and types of instruction taking into account that the effect of specific types of reading instruction appears to depend on students’ language and reading skills. A2i supports our mission to provide teachers and administrators with evidence-based tools and professional development that supports their focus on helping each student in the classroom learn to read at or above grade level. (Read more about A2i.)
Word Knowledge Interactive eBook
The purpose of this research is to develop and test a vocabulary and word knowledge intervention that also supports comprehension monitoring for third, fourth and fifth graders, who have weaker comprehension and vocabulary skills, through the use of interactive electronic books.
One of the most frequent reasons that students fail to understand what they read is that they do not know the meaning of critical words (Beck & McKeown, 1991) and do not go back to figure out the meaning of the passage when they do not understand.
Check out our Web Resources page to test drive demonstrations of the A2i and eBook interventions.
Observing Effective Teaching
The purpose of this study is to better understand the nature of effective reading comprehension instruction in classrooms. We are investigating both teacher and student characteristics that influence instruction and relate to positive reading comprehension outcomes. To evaluate student and teacher characteristics during literacy instruction, 120 classroom videos will be coded for type and quality of instructional moves as well as student quality of participation (i.e., passive, active, generative, interactive).
The development of an observational tool will inform researchers and educators of the effective and most influential teacher and student characteristics that are associated with student reading comprehension gains. The system currently utilizes archival classroom videos and data on teachers and students across two states, with additional data to be collected in a third state with different student demographics. The project expands on existing classroom observational schemes to develop a more comprehensive observational scheme (ISI and SSLT systems).
Observing effective teaching supports our mission to understand which instructional strategies are most effective for individualizing student instruction and design and deliver professional development that informs teachers with research results that provide a support system for bridging these into professional, student-focused practice.
Early Learning Network & OLOS Coding System
OLOS will take a pre-K – third grade view of effective learning opportunities that support achievement and social-behavioral development. The observation system will measure the classroom learning environment for both the content and quality of the learning opportunities children experience. The overall goal is to take into account individual child difference and offer personalized feedback and guidance to teachers. Distance from recommendation for each student will be given to support personalized instruction and the focus on student participation in learning opportunities will be used to predict and improve student achievement.