The hand that rocks the cradle: an evaluation of the Preschool Early Intervention Program at St. Mark's Elementary School, Shearstown

• Main Author: Norman, Pam
• Format: Thesis
• Language: English
• Published: Memorial University of Newfoundland 1997
• Subjects: Newfoundland
• Online Access: https://research.library.mun.ca/11149/; https://research.library.mun.ca/11149/1/Norman_Pam.pdf

The purpose of this study was to investigate and explore to what degree the Preschool Early Intervention Program at St. Mark’s Elementary School in Shearstown, Newfoundland, has been a success. Of specific interest was the Preschool Early Intervention Program’s effectiveness and range of changes that have occurred in the seven year duration of the program. Comparison was made between children who had attended the Preschool Early Intervention Program at St. Mark’s and their older siblings who had not attended the program to investigate its effectiveness. – The investigation of the program included interviews with three groups in half hour sessions using open ended questions. Twenty parents, seven teachers, including the volunteer instructor of the program, the two present administrators and the former principal were chosen because they had a child that had participated in the program and at least one older child that did not. The administrators and the teaching staff had taught children in classes that had been participants and also nonparticipants of the program. Questions during the interviews focused on perceived educational achievement, reading and study habits, and quality of school life. The impact of parental involvement and other unpredicted benefits were also noted. Results are described relative to the framework of the perceptions of those involved in the Preschool Early Intervention Program at St. Mark’s Elementary School within the social context of its community. Overwhelmingly, the program was deemed effective. Effectiveness was determined by the consensus and verification of the perceptions of the parents, teaching staff, and the administrative staff of the school as given to this researcher throughout the interviews. – A comparative look at standardized tests, teacher made tests, and teacher written observations served as data to confirm the degree of success. Standardized testing has been periodically documented for the school population. The school profile containing the documentation was ...