ALLSTAR Program for Literacy
What You Need to Know Before You Apply
What is the purpose of this trial?
The goal of this clinical trial is to determine whether adding Integrated Decoding and Encoding instruction to the ALLSTAR literacy program improves reading outcomes for students with significant literacy and communication needs. The study will also examine how students' reading skills change over time across instructional conditions.
The main questions it aims to answer are:
Do students who receive ALLSTAR with Integrated Decoding and Encoding instruction demonstrate greater improvements in literacy outcomes than students who receive ALLSTAR as standard care alone? How do students' literacy skills change from baseline to mid-intervention and post-intervention across the two instructional conditions? Researchers will compare two groups using a randomized controlled trial design. One group will receive 60 lessons of ALLSTAR as the standard of care (ALLSTAR-SC), and the other group will receive 60 lessons of ALLSTAR with the addition of Integrated Decoding and Encoding lessons (ALLSTAR-I\*). Literacy outcomes will be measured using repeated assessment probes at baseline (0 Lessons), after 30-40 lessons, and after 60 lessons to evaluate differences between groups and changes over time in the individuals.
Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?
This trial is for children aged 5-12 with communication challenges who use AAC. They must be able to match letters and words, follow directions, have a basic vocabulary and understanding of letter sounds, recognize common pictures, and focus for short periods. Children with decoding or encoding skills below 40% are eligible.Inclusion Criteria
Timeline for a Trial Participant
Screening
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial
Baseline Assessment
Initial literacy skills assessment using the Early Literacy Assessment (ELA)
Treatment
Participants receive 60 lessons of ALLSTAR literacy program, with or without Integrated Decoding and Encoding instruction
Mid-Intervention Assessment
Assessment of literacy skills after 30-40 lessons using the ELA
Post-Intervention Assessment
Final assessment of literacy skills after 60 lessons using the ELA
Follow-up
Participants are monitored for changes in literacy skills and the acceptability of the intervention
What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?
Interventions
- ALLSTAR
Trial Overview
The study tests if adding Integrated Decoding and Encoding to the ALLSTAR literacy program helps improve reading for kids with significant needs in literacy and communication. It's a randomized controlled trial comparing standard ALLSTAR (ALLSTAR-SC) against ALLSTAR plus extra lessons (ALLSTAR-I*).
How Is the Trial Designed?
2
Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
Active Control
In ALLSTAR-I\* condition, this group will receive explicit instruction in encoding and phoneme-grapheme knowledge, adding an integrative decoding and encoding approach within the lessons. Studies have shown that combining instruction on phonological awareness and letter-sound correspondences with word reading and spelling better develops students' word reading and spelling skills. These integrated lessons will be incorporated starting at lesson 20 and will include the features based on a refined intervention including the "Hear, Say, Type, Read, Use" strategy.
The ALL app comes with lessons in early literacy skills, with the materials are pre-made, and tasks are modified to support independent participation by AAC users. By using ALLSTAR as "Standard of Care", the evidence base has the potential to increase by demonstrating related to demonstration that AAC users can learn multiple skills and when provided the opportunity to learn phonics. Intervention with the app includes 50 trials per lesson and an instructional sequence that service providers are trained to implement, including: introducing the skill, two model trials, five trials using guided practice techniques, and three trials of independent practice with corrective feedback. The words and skills will rotate based on lesson number and the automated data collected within the technology. The AAC user will get exposure to four skills per lesson.
Find a Clinic Near You
Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?
Penn State University
Lead Sponsor
National Institutes of Health (NIH)
Collaborator
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