Date of Award

2007

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Education (EdD)

Department

Education

First Advisor

H. H. Hooper, Jr., Ed.D.

Abstract

Early intervention programs have long been associated with increased cognitive benefits for disadvantaged poverty children. The Arkansas Better Chance for School Success Pre-school Program (ABCSS) was implemented in select counties in Arkansas as an early intervention strategy for Arkansas' poverty children. The core rationale behind the implementation of the Arkansas Better Chance for School Success Pre-school Program was the belief that it is much easier not to be left behind if you do not start behind. The study assessed the Arkansas Better Chance for School Success Pre-school Program on the impact of sustained benefits on third grade children who previously attended an ABCSS Program when they were four and compared them to the group of poverty third grade students who had not attended an ABCSS Program and non-poverty third grade children. The study found a trend (64% proficient as compared to 45% proficient) but no statistical significance between third grade poverty who attended and poverty third grade who did not attend an ABCSS. Non-poverty third grade outperformed the poverty third grade who previously attended an ABCSS. The study also assessed whether poverty kindergarten children who attended an ABCSS Program were prepared for kindergarten as compared to poverty kindergarten who had not attended an ABCSS Program and non-poverty kindergarten children. Results were similar to third grade data showing a trend (56% Developed as compared to 48%) but no statistical difference. A sample of poverty third grade children and kindergarten children from school districts located in central Arkansas were used for the study. A Chi-Square Test of Independence was used to determine if the academic increases were significant, at p < .05.

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