Early Achievements for Language Developmental Disorders
(EA-SHELLS Trial)
What You Need to Know Before You Apply
What is the purpose of this trial?
This trial aims to determine if the new teacher training program, Early Achievements - Shaping Early Language and Literacy Skills, can enhance how prekindergarten teachers support language development, particularly in classrooms with children who have language delays or disorders. Teachers in the trial will learn new strategies for teaching language through literacy activities, and their effectiveness will be compared to those who do not receive the training. The goal is to improve language-based literacy skills in young students, both with and without language challenges. Teachers with students who have language delays or receive language services in their classrooms might be well-suited for this trial. As an unphased trial, this study offers teachers the chance to lead educational innovation, potentially benefiting their students' language development.
Do I need to stop my current medications to join the trial?
The trial information does not specify whether participants need to stop taking their current medications.
What prior data suggests that this teacher training program is safe for pre-K classrooms?
Research has shown that the Early Achievements - Shaping Early Language and Literacy Skills (EA-SHELLS) program aims to improve children's language skills through effective teaching methods. Since this study trains teachers rather than testing a new drug or medical treatment, "safety" takes on a different meaning.
The EA-SHELLS program coaches teachers to use proven methods in their classrooms to enhance children's language skills. No reports of problems or safety issues have emerged related to these teaching methods. Teachers receive guidance on using strategies based on evidence and previous educational research.
Without medical procedures or medications involved, the usual safety concerns of clinical trials do not apply. Instead, the focus is on ensuring teachers feel supported and comfortable using the new methods in their classrooms. Educators have well-received this approach, which aims to improve teaching effectiveness without posing safety risks to teachers or students.12345Why are researchers excited about this trial?
Researchers are excited about the Early Achievements - Shaping Early Language and Literacy Skills (EA-SHELLS) program because it offers a unique, hands-on approach to improving language developmental disorders in young children. Unlike traditional methods that may focus solely on direct instruction or one-on-one tutoring, EA-SHELLS emphasizes a collaborative coaching model where teachers receive personalized support through Practice-Based Coaching. This method not only enhances teachers' ability to integrate language and literacy skills into everyday classroom interactions but also promotes a more engaging and interactive learning environment for children. The innovative focus on embedding language skills into natural group activities could lead to more meaningful and lasting improvements in early language development.
What evidence suggests that this teacher training program is effective for improving language-related literacy skills?
Research shows that the Early Achievements - Shaping Early Language and Literacy Skills (EA-SHELLS) program aims to boost children's reading and language skills by enhancing teaching methods. In this trial, teachers in the Full Training Group will receive hands-on coaching through the EA-SHELLS program, which helps them engage children with reading books and related activities. Studies have found that teachers trained in EA-SHELLS use more effective methods to help young children develop language skills. Similar programs have led to higher language test scores for children, demonstrating improved reading and language abilities. Teachers who complete this training often feel more confident in their ability to teach these skills. Meanwhile, teachers in the Quick Training Group will conduct their classroom instruction as originally planned during the data collection phase.12345
Who Is on the Research Team?
Rebecca Landa, PhD
Principal Investigator
Hugo W. Moser Research Institute at Kennedy Krieger Institute
Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?
This trial is for prekindergarten teachers in inclusive classrooms. It aims to help them improve literacy-related language skills in children with and without language delays or disorders. Teachers who want to enhance their teaching strategies and feel more confident instructing diverse learners are ideal candidates.Inclusion Criteria
Timeline for a Trial Participant
Screening
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial
Training and Coaching
Teachers in the Full Training group attend a 6-hour virtual workshop and participate in approximately 14 in-person coaching sessions to implement EA-SHELLS strategies.
Data Collection and Assessment
Data collected from teacher and student participants at pre-treatment, midpoint, and post-treatment time points to assess the effectiveness of the training.
Follow-up
Participants are monitored for the effectiveness of the training program on language-related literacy skills.
What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?
Interventions
- Early Achievements - Shaping Early Language and Literacy Skills
Trial Overview
The study tests a training program designed to boost pre-K teachers' effectiveness in teaching literacy-related language skills. The research involves developing the program, measuring its impact on students before and after teacher training, revising it based on feedback, and finally conducting a randomized control trial.
How Is the Trial Designed?
2
Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
Active Control
Teachers assigned to the Full Training group will participate in a collaborative coaching approach, Practice-Based Coaching (Snyder et al., 2015). Coaches will support teachers in targeting meaning-related (language-based) emergent literacy skills during whole and small group interactions with their students. The duration of the coaching period is approximately 14 weeks with about one coaching session per week. Teachers will be coached to implement Early Achievements-Shaping Early Language and Literacy Skills (EA-SHELLS) strategies during book reading and book-related activities. See more details about the instructional approach below in the intervention description.
Teachers assigned to the Quick Training group will not receive any training or intervention while data are being collected from both groups. Teachers in this group will conduct their classroom instruction as originally planned while the teachers in the Full Training group receive the EA-SHELLS training. After the completion of data collection, teachers will be invited to participate in a collaborative coaching approach, Practice-Based Coaching (Snyder et al., 2015). Coaches will support teachers in targeting meaning-related emergent literacy skills during whole and small group interactions with their students for 2 coaching sessions. Teachers will be coached to implement EA-SHELLS strategies during book reading and book-related activities. Teacher data will be collected during the quick training period but will be analyzed separately from RCT data used to examine efficacy of EA-SHELLS.
Find a Clinic Near You
Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?
Hugo W. Moser Research Institute at Kennedy Krieger, Inc.
Lead Sponsor
Institute of Education Sciences
Collaborator
Citations
Shaping Early Language and Literacy Skills
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Shaping Early Language and Literacy Skills
The primary goal of this research study is to determine whether Early Achievements - Shaping Early Language and Literacy Skills (EA-SHELLS) ...
Early Achievements for Language Developmental Disorders
Trial Overview The study tests a training program designed to boost pre-K teachers' effectiveness in teaching literacy-related language skills. The research ...
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