K-3 Plus Extended School Year Program
About the Intervention
K-3 Plus is a summer program that lengthens the school year by providing an additional 25 days of education during the summer each year prior to grades K-3 (kindergarten through third grade). The program targets schools where 85% or more of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunches (threshold reduced to 80%). Instruction is centered on literacy and numeracy and delivered by certified teachers who have completed professional development in literacy. Classes are no larger than those in the regular school year. Teachers are required to incorporate a parental involvement component. Meals and transportation are provided consistent with regular school year services. The program is not remedial but is intended to offer a longer school year to improve achievement and minimize summer learning loss, particularly for students from lower socioeconomic backgrounds.
Statistical Findings
Positive effect: on expressive vocabulary at kindergarten readiness
Positive effect: on reading at kindergarten readiness
Positive effect: on math at kindergarten readiness
Positive effect: on writing at kindergarten readiness
No effect: on social skills at kindergarten readiness
No effect: on receptive language at kindergarten readiness
No effect: on expressive vocabulary at beginning of 3rd grade
Positive effect: on reading at beginning of 3rd grade
Positive effect: on math at beginning of 3rd grade
Positive effect: on writing at beginning of 3rd grade
No effect: on social skills at beginning of 3rd grade
No effect: on receptive language at beginning of 3rd grade
More Intervention Details
Focus Areas
Economically DisadvantagedPrograms & Services
General EducationDelivery Methods
Face-to-FaceDisability Support
N/ATarget Groups
Student(s)Citation
Cann, D., Karakaplan, M., Lubke, M. & Rowland, C. (2015). New Mexico StartSmart K‐3 Plus Validation Study: Evaluator's Report (EvaluatorReport). ERIC.
Study Demographics
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Participant Race
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Participant Gender
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Other Participant Characteristics
Geographical Setting
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