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PreK On My Way Case Study Report
Respondents also reported positive perceptions of Scholastic’s in -person coaching because it helped teachers figure out how to successfully implement the PKOMW curriculum in their classrooms. The research literature supports ongoing coaching as an essential component for supporting high-quality instructional practices and improved child outcomes. The common elements of successful coaching practices include periodic observation of teachers' instructional practices, provision of feedback, facilitation of goal-setting, and ongoing adaptation of instructional practices (Elek & Page, 2019). Taken together, the reported ease of implementation, active engagement of children with the curricular materials, and the ongoing Scholastic in-person coaching supports contribute to the successful implementation of the PKOMW curriculum in the case study sites in ways that are consistent with prior research on effective PreK curriculum implementation (Weiland et al., 2018). With respect to challenges, the three most significant challenges reported by teachers included the challenge of fitting all of the PKOMW curricular activities into the typical school day, learning the different curricular components, and differentiating the curriculum for children with different needs and abilities. Despite experiencing these challenges, respondents reported that these challenges were partially addressed by the in-person coaching supports provided by Scholastic coaches. These findings support the value-added benefits of ongoing coaching supports as a critical component for ensuring the successful implementation of a high-quality curriculum (Elek & Page, 2019).
What Are PKOMW Strengths and Areas for Improvement?
There were a number of both strengths and weaknesses reported by the case study respondents. Respondents reported three main aspects of the PKOMW curriculum that they valued: 1) its extensive guidance to teachers (including new teachers) and ease of use; 2) its high-quality and diverse array of reading materials; and 3) that it is both academically rigorous and developmentally appropriate. The clear guidance provided with the PKOMW curriculum is particularly helpful for new teachers to better ensure successful implementation. These strengths reinforce the close alignment of the PKOMW with the current recommendations for high-quality curricula (HHS, 2016; NAEYC, 2009; NCQTL, 2015). The one notable weakness reported by three of the case study respondents was that some of the read- alouds were too long, too advanced, or not developmentally appropriate for their children. This was a bit at odds with the reported strengths of a literacy-rich and rigorous curriculum noted above. As such, this may suggest the need for the initial training, as well as the ongoing coaching or communities of practice, to help support teachers in identifying ways to individualize the various PKOMW curricular activities to best meet the needs and abilities of children in different classrooms.
How Engaging Are the PKOMW Curricular Materials for Children?
It was particularly noteworthy that over half of the case study respondents reported that children in their classrooms enjoyed the hands-on, interactive nature of the small group activities, as well as the discussion activities with the picture cards and other manipulatives. One of the hallmarks of a developmentally appropriate curriculum is whether the curricular materials and activities support children’s active engagement in learning through play, explor ation, and inquiry (NAEYC, 2009). Thus, these case study findings support the alignment of the PKOMW curriculum with one of the key characteristics of a developmentally appropriate curriculum.
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