Projects
Efficacy Evaluation of Zoology One
Integrated literacy & science curriculum to improve reading, writing, and science achievement of kindergarten students
July 2016—Present
About Zoology One: Kindergarten Research Labs
The efficacy evaluation of Zoology One: Kindergarten Research Labs is funded by the U.S. Department of Education’s Institute of Education Sciences, U.S. Department of Education, through Grant R305A160109 to the University of Pennsylvania.
The evaluation is a multi-site randomized control trial conducted in Philadelphia. The evaluation examined the effects of the curriculum on kindergarten student learning in literacy and science compared to business-as-usual literacy instruction. The project continues to follow students into upper elementary grades to explore longitudinal effects. Findings from kindergarten year are summarized here (link to brief).
Zoology One, which is now called ARC Core, is a curriculum developed by the American Reading Company that integrates literacy and science instruction. The program features code-focused instruction, high-volume print exposure, complex text exposure, and integrated science and literacy instruction. Specific components of the program include direct instruction via flexible grouping, formative assessments and progress monitoring, high-volume reading and writing practices, accountable talk, professional development, and parent support resources. Zoology One also includes books, a curriculum guide for teachers, and various assessments.
This project is currently led by Principal Investigator Dr. Brooks Bowden and Co-PI Dr. Ryan Fink. Project team members include Tesla Dubois, Katarina Suwak, Maurice Spillane, and Rebecca Davis. Dr. Abigail Gray of the School District of Philadelphia and Dr. Philip Sirinides of Pennsylvania State University are also key collaborators, who lead the design and study team, serving in PI roles on the project until 2019.
Project Activities
Products
The research team is continuing its work to disseminate its findings through journal article submissions and a variety of policy and practice briefs. This includes student impacts and implementation findings regarding teachers’ continued use of the curriculum. Findings from the initial study can be found here. (link to brief again)
U.S. Department of Education Institute of Education Sciences (IES) Goal 3 grant