About
the Project
Community Services for Children (CSC), located in Allentown, PA, has transformed
7 Head Start classrooms, located in 3 centers, into full-day, full-year Early Reading
First centers. The classrooms serve 137 three and four year old
children, 100% of whom come from low-income families. The goal of
the program at CSC is to prepare all children for entry into formal
schooling with the necessary skills for future learning success.
Moreover, because more than 25% of the children in this setting
speak Spanish as their first language, a primary focus will be to
improve the early literacy skills of English Language Learners.
This population has been shown to be at increased risk for reading
disabilities both in the literature and in local experience. |
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To
improve the oral language, phonological awareness, print awareness,
and alphabet knowledge of young low-income children, including
those with limited English proficiency, through scientifically
based and culturally and linguistically appropriate strategies.
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To provide
a high quality language and literacy rich environment in the
classroom and all of its extensions; and
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To provide
professional development that is sustained, intensive, classroom
focused and grounded in scientifically based reading research.
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