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takes to both build the pipeline as well as working with each child individually, where they are, <br /> in order to achieve success. <br /> Colleen Bridger said the FSA Advisory Council is requesting to spend the remaining <br /> $90,000 in the Social Justice fund on a kindergarten readiness program as well as a Zone <br /> Navigator position for each zone. She thanked the Board for their on-going support and <br /> commitment to insure that this project is successful. <br /> Chair McKee thanked Dr. Bridger for her leadership and commitment to this effort. <br /> Commissioner Burroughs said she emailed some questions to Colleen Bridger earlier <br /> today and asked Colleen Bridger if she would share the information she gave in her response <br /> (email below): <br /> Question: Kick start with literacy: is there evidence from prior research on that model? If not, <br /> will the pilot include a control group? Research that doesn't include a control group will not <br /> really provide adequate evidence I'd love for the Kick Start program to work but it is a brief <br /> intervention that starts long after the children have experienced years of deficits of exposure to <br /> spoken words. As such, I think it is really important to look for evidence. <br /> Colleen Bridger's response: <br /> • The curriculum we are proposing using is called Second Step, and is a classroom-based <br /> social skills program that focuses on teaching young children to identify and understand <br /> their own and others' emotions, reduce impulsiveness and choose positive goals, and <br /> manage their emotional reactions and decision making process. SAMHSA estimates that <br /> approximately 32,000 schools across the US have implemented Second Step since the <br /> program started in 1987. Selection of this type of kindergarten readiness intervention vs. <br /> an "academic model" is also consistent with emerging research showing that children <br /> enrolled in academic-based programs actually fare worse over the long-term than children <br /> who focus on social and emotional issues. So, we have research that supports the <br /> effectiveness of this specific curriculum and this approach. <br /> • There is nation-wide data to support the concept of intensive kindergarten-readiness as an <br /> effective intervention. Similar programs based on the model of a "kick-start" program are <br /> being implemented across the US. Locally, the Duke Office of Durham & Regional Affairs <br /> has implemented a kindergarten readiness program using the Second Step curriculum <br /> since 2008. They currently work with three sites in Durham, including EDCI's target <br /> elementary school (Y.E. Smith Elementary). <br /> Question: Coordinated support: any gold standard (control group) evidence on this piece? If <br /> not, will there be control group research on it? How does this intervention compare with the <br /> activities of whatever Smart Start/More at Four is now called? <br /> Colleen Bridger's response: <br /> • As far as evaluation of the Family Success Alliance's work: <br /> o Specific to the Kindergarten readiness, each site will conduct a pre and post <br /> kindergarten readiness assessment with children in the intervention. This will allow us <br /> to assess immediate changes. In addition, the school systems are implementing a <br /> phased-in universal kindergarten readiness assessment starting this fall. So, we will <br /> compare kindergarten readiness scores on this assessment tool between our <br /> participants and those who did not participate (controlling for things like income and <br /> parental education status). <br />