Degree Date
2-2022
Document Type
Dissertation - Public Access
Degree Name
Ed.D. Doctor of Education
Academic Discipline
Educational Leadership
First Advisor
Elizabeth Minor
Second Advisor
Donald Angelaccio
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to determine to what extent Kinder Hearts School’s at-risk preschoolers are effectively prepared with readiness skills for kindergarten academic success. Based on schoolwide assessments, program mandates, and policy changes, an evaluation of this specific program in a Midwest school could determine whether the instructional model used was indeed effective. This study consisted of analyzing data from three student categories: children who attended private preschool programming, children who attended the school’s at-risk program, and children who had no schooling. The data collected was used to determine professional development needed, grant funding allocation, and program delivery model to use.
The results of the study showed an academic difference in kindergarten between children who attended this school’s state-funded, play-based preschool at-risk program and children who attended private programming. Results did not suggest that children who attended the school’s at-risk preschool program were behind in their kindergarten readiness skills in comparison to other subgroups but did suggest a difference between the groups. This study indicated that a play-based model developmentally targets the whole child, and also leads to the overall developmental growth of the child.
Recommended Citation
Santos Lopez, Eliza, "To What Extent Are At-Risk Preschoolers Effectively Prepared For Kindergarten?" (2022). Dissertations. 638.
https://digitalcommons.nl.edu/diss/638
Included in
Curriculum and Instruction Commons, Early Childhood Education Commons, Educational Assessment, Evaluation, and Research Commons, Elementary Education Commons, Language and Literacy Education Commons
Comments
This study is dedicated to my daughter, Kayla Elise. I hope that through my journey you learned a thing or two. Don’t let anything stop you from achieving your dreams!