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Children learning with Tablets

Research

EYEPlay for Everyone: An Innovative Approach to Providing Professional Development in Drama-Based Instruction to Teachers and Caregivers of High-Needs Learners 

2024-2027

  • Funded by U.S. DoE Education Innovation and Research (EIR) Grant

  • $3,999,999

  • 21 preschool classrooms in Greater Phoenix, Arizona serving students with diverse (dis)abilities

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  • Big Questions: How do early childhood special educators and parents of preschoolers with (dis)abilities best learn to support their students/children in drama-based, imaginative literacy experiences? How do those experiences support children’s early literacy engagement?

EYEPlay ADAPT (All Different Abilities Participate and Thrive)

2023-2025

  • Funded by The Spencer Foundation

  • $399,000

  • 10 preschool classrooms in Phoenix, Arizona serving students with diverse (dis)abilities

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  • Big Questions: How can we improve EYEPlay to better support all learners' diverse strengths and abilities? How can we improve our research tools to better capture all students' learning through drama?

EYEPlay Randomized Control Trial

2019-2023

  • Funded by the U.S. DoE Arts Education Development and Dissemination program

  • $2,228,135

  • 90 preschool classrooms in Phoenix Metro Area

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  • Big Question: How does participating in EYEPlay support preschoolers' language, literacy, and socio-emotional development, compared to preschoolers in business-as-usual classrooms in the same districts?

EYEPlay Dual Language

2015-2020

  • Funded by the Helios Education Foundation

  • $721,000 and $1,590,000

  • 13 dual language preschool classrooms in Phoenix, AZ and 11 dual language preschool classrooms in Orlando, FL

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  • Big Question: How does drama-based story time support Spanish and English acquisition for Spanish and English learners in dual language preschool?

Drama Frames for K-3 Multiple Language Streams

2014-2018

  • Funded by the U.S. DoE Professional Development for Arts Educators Program

  • $298,673

  • 26 K-3 classrooms (mainstream, dual language, and structured English immersion) in Phoenix, AZ

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  • Big Question: How does participation in drama-based literacy learning support reading achievement for K-3 students in mainstream, dual language, and SEI classrooms, compared to students' in business-as-usual classrooms?

EYEPlay Development

2011-2014

  • Funded by the Helios Education Foundation

  • $347,000

  • 37 preschool classrooms in Phoenix Metro Area

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  • Big Question: How does participating in EYEPlay support students’ literacy skills, measured by teacher observational assessments, compared to a demographically-matched control group?

Drama Frames Development

2006-2010

  • Funded by the U.S. DoE Arts Integration Model Development and Dissemination Program

  • $951,528

  • 81 4th, 5th, and 6th grade classrooms in Phoenix, AZ

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  • Big Question: How does participating in Drama Frames support students’ writing skills, measured by district administrated Six Traits of Writing assessments, compared to business-as-usual classrooms?

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