Researchers will assess Boston Public School’s prekindergarten through Grade 3 policies and practices as related to student experiences. Variables of interest include instructional content and dosage, teacher practices, instructional approach, school district culture and climate, and attributes of staff, families and students.
Researchers will address curricular alignment, quality of classroom interactions, teacher characteristics and the quality of language, literacy and math instruction. The researchers will also examine a set of classroom population characteristics (e.g., dual language learners, low-income students).
Researchers will explore how classroom processes and practices, family engagement in learning activities outside of school and afterschool and summer activities relate to children’s developmental skill trajectory and third grade outcomes.
The research studies will take place in Boston Public Schools community-based PreK programs and early elementary schools in Boston, Massachusetts.