Home  ALSC  

Every Child Ready to Read

Research

Research Studies

Research Studies

If you or a community partner is writing a grant and needs research data to support the grant application, these resources can help.

Publications

Eager to Learn: Educating Our Preschoolers. Washington, DC: National Academy Press, 2001.

Explores the question, "What will it take to provide better early education and care for our children ages two to five?" Synthesizes current research findings on how young children learn and the impact of early learning. Presents recommendations in areas such as the teacher-child relationship, the organization and content of curriculum, meeting the needs of those children most at risk of school failure, teacher preparation, assessment of teaching and learning.

From Neurons to Neighborhoods: The Science of Early Childhood Development. Washington, DC: National Academy Press, 2000.

Researchers in the fields of neurobiological studies and behavioral and social sciences converge to create the "science" of early childhood development. Provides in-depth discussion of early brain development information, nature vs. nurture debate, and impact of culture on development. Product of investigation of the National Academy of Sciences.

Hart, Betty. Meaningful Differences in the Everyday Experience of Young American Children. Baltimore: P.H. Brookes, 1995.

Describes research study investigating the link between children’s early family experience and their later intellectual growth, a link that exists regardless of a child’s race.

Report of the National Reading Panel: Teaching Children to Read, An Evidence-Based Assessment of the Scientific Research Literature on Reading and Its Implications for Reading Instruction.  Rockville, MD: NICHD Clearninghouse, 2000.

Report of the Panel, leading scientists in reading research, convened by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. Looks at methods of instruction in areas of Alphabetics, Fluency, Comprehension, and at Teacher Education and Computer Technology in the area of reading instruction.

Basis for policy considerations and decisions.

Available on line at www.nationalreadingpanel.org

National Research Council. Preventing Reading Difficulties in Young Children. Washington, DC: National Academy Press, 1998

Against the background of normal progress, examines the factors that put children at risk of poor reading. Explores how literacy can be fostered from birth through kindergarten and the primary grades, including evaluation of philosophies, systems and materials commonly used to teach reading.

Websites

Early Childhood Longitudinal Study

Monitor this site for first wave of data following children from birth to kindergarten. First wave will compile data from interviews with parent of nine-month-old babies.

Birth Cohort and Kindergarten Cohort.

Statistics for children entering kindergarten through first grade on reading proficiency in relationship to material education, income.

Inequality at the Starting Gate

Using the U.S. Department of Education’s Early Childhood Longitudinal Study, Kindergarten Cohort (1998) of 16,000 families, presents statistical information and research showing the less publicized inequalities facing children before they start school; includes factors such as number of books in the home, visits to the public library.

Reading Research Resources

Reviews reading research and describes on-going research at National Institute for Child Health and Human Development of the National Institutes of Health.

Recent Research on Brain Development and Reading Skills

Highlights recent articles on brain development and reading skills. Sponsored by History, Arts and Libraries Division of State of Michigan.

NCEDL Research Database

Research focuses on enhancing the cognitive, social, and emotional development of children birth to age eight. You can search the reports of 12 national research and development centers funded by the US Office of Educational Research and Improvement (OERI), get summaries, findings, and publications as a result of the study. Offers a speakers list. Sponsored by National Center for Early Development and Learning.

National information system funded by US Department of Education to provide access to educational literature and resources. Click on "Popular Topics," then on "Early Literacy Initiatives," "School Readiness". Early Literacy section is coming soon. Get summaries of reports and papers. Subject descriptors are listed.

Center for Applied Linguistics

Describes its own research projects including those in the areas of Literacy (PreK-12) and Bilingual Education. Some funded by National Institute of Child Health and Human Development.