Translating research into school-based practice via small-group, language-focused comprehension intervention


The Dole building on a sunny summer day with blue sky and clouds.

This Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT) conducted with co-investigators from KU Medical Center, Massachusetts General Hospital Institute of Health, and Ohio State university aims to translate years of basic research into clinical practice by providing early evidence-based language and comprehension intervention to those most vulnerable for reading comprehension failure. Intervention will be offered to small groups of children in first grade, and their reading comprehension skills will be compared to those of vulnerable children who do not receive the small group intervention. It will follow children through third grade to examine the continued impact of the intervention. This project is relevant to the NIDCD’s mission to improve the lives of individuals with communication disorders because findings from the proposed studies are expected to be informative for refinement of prognosis and treatment methods for this population, which includes children with low language comprehension, many of whom have Developmental Language Disorder (DLD). This project is also relevant to the broader field of public health because of the importance of language and literacy skills to quality of life outcomes.

Project details

  • Primary Investigator: Kandace Fleming

  • Project start Date: 01/01/2021

  • Project finish Date: 12/31/2025

Contact:

Funder:

  • University of Kansas Medical Center Research Institute

  • Award Number: GR15603