DEPARTMENT: Pre-K 4 SA
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Sarah Baray, Ph.D.
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: Citywide
SUBJECT:
Program Evaluations and Westat Amendment
SUMMARY:
This item includes a staff briefing of Pre-K 4 SA program evaluations and possible Board approval of an amendment to the Westat independent evaluation contract for a total amount not to exceed $254,148.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
Since its initial program authorization, Pre-K 4 SA has demonstrated a commitment to a results-driven approach through its use of independent research evaluations. Pre-K 4 SA contracted with Dr. Mike Villarreal at the UTSA Urban Education Institute in 2018 to conduct a longitudinal impact study of the program. The results of this study found that Pre-K 4 SA Education Center Students had better 3rd grade math scores, better 3rd grade reading scores, better attendance, and less need for special education services.
Since the findings were released in January 2019, Dr. Villarreal has proposed an update to the original impact study to include the most recent students who applied and enrolled in Pre-K 4 SA during the fiscal years of 2015 to 2020. This new study will allow the researchers to strengthen the statistical power of their analysis, and allow them to observe the impact of the program as it has matured and strengthened.
In addition to the longitudinal study, Pre-K 4 SA also conducts yearly independent program evaluations. In 2013, Pre-K 4 SA issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for an independent program evaluation. The Board of Directors awarded a contract to Edvance Research to conduct an independent evaluation of the program. The contract was approved with an initial five-year term, and one three-year renewal option. Edvance Research went on to produce and release reports for years 1 and 2 of the program, which the organization presented to the Board of Directors in 2014 and 2015. In December 2015, Westat, a leading research organization, acquired Edvance Resear...
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