Great Start Readiness Program - Evaluation

This is a competitive grant awarded by the State Board of Education to the HighScope Educational Research Foundation beginning in 1994.  Most recently, HighScope was awarded a five-year continuation grant in 2008. 

Children who attend GSRP score significantly higher in all areas in kindergarten than those who did not attend an early childhood education program.  Kindergarten teachers rated GSRP children higher in overall school performance than similarly at-risk children who did not attend an early childhood program.

The longitudinal component of the evaluation compares GSRP children to a comparison group of at-risk children.  Those who did not attend preschool programs were more than twice as likely as GSRP participants to have been retained by third grade.  Significant differences have been found on fourth grade MEAP scores in both reading and mathematics, and at eighth grade in mathematics. 

Children who attend GSRP sites which are rated highest on teacher qualifications and curriculum achieve at the highest levels.  GSRP sites supervised by administrators with early childhood education specialization are rated most highly.

To view the latest evaluation report, check the HighScope website at http://www.highscope.org/Content.asp?ContentId=225. 

Staff:
Richard Lower, Supervisor
(517) 373-8512
lowerr@michigan.gov

Joyce Gooder, Secretary
(517) 335-4092
gooderj@michigan.gov