Brian Jacob

In partnership with the Michigan Department of Education (MDE), the research team is analyzing administrative education records to describe transitional kindergarten programming in Michigan (i.e. Young Fives) and to examine its impacts on children’s kindergarten readiness and K-3 outcomes. This study also has several connections to the COVID-19 crisis. Program data will be used to describe the progress of cohorts of children more versus less directly affected by COVID-19. Additionally, surveys of families, teachers, and districts on their COVID-19-related experiences and challenges will be...

The Michigan Department of Education is using the federal Comprehensive Literacy State Development grant to support literacy development in five districts in the state. Over the course of the five-year, $16 million grant, districts and statewide partners will work to advance literacy skills for children from birth through grade 12. The five districts awarded funding are: Benton Harbor Area Schools  Detroit Public Schools Community District  Flint Community Schools  Muskegon Heights Public School Academy System  Pontiac School District The goal of the grant funding is to...

Literacy knowledge and skills developed in the early elementary grades predict long-term literacy achievement, on-time graduation, and later-life outcomes. In recognizing the critical importance of establishing early literacy skills, there has been substantial instructional and policy attention given to improving rates of reading proficiency in the elementary grades. In 2016, based on the recommendation of the Michigan Third Grade Reading Workgroup, the Michigan legislature passed the Read by Grade Three Law (RBG3), which requires schools to identify learners who are struggling with reading...