CAP Tulsa Research Partnership
We partner with CAP Tulsa to evaluate and research several different components of their Head Start and Early Head Start programs as part of the three-year Child Achievement Research Partnership (CARP). We also evaluate Oklahoma's Early Childhood Program (OECP), which is a state-funded initiative awarded to CAP Tulsa to support and expand high-quality early childhood programs statewide for children who are three years old and younger.
For OECP, Research Associates visit participating classrooms locally and statewide to observe and document classroom practices using the CLASS and QCIT. Information obtained from classroom observations is shared with CAP Tulsa leadership to guide teacher professional development and inform classroom practices in OECP programs.
For CARP, the ECEI assesses a sample of CAP Tulsa children using a broad range of child assessments to document children’s development during their time enrolled in CAP Tulsa programs. These measures gather information on children’s math and literacy skills, executive function, and their social-emotional development. We also assess dual language learners (DLLs) using measures designed for DLL children.
ECEI research staff assess these children each fall and spring, and conduct classroom observations using the COPTOP. Teachers provide ratings of children and participate in surveys. Information gathered from all of these data sources is shared with CAP Tulsa leadership to aid in their overall evaluation and decision making about their early childhood programs.
Principal Investigator is Kate Gallagher, Ph.D.; Co-Principal Investigators are Cara Kelly, Ph.D., Craig Van Pay, Ph.D.; Project Director is Denise Vega Ruvalcaba; Research Associates are Carey Herrera, Leah Smith; Hillary Bravo, Emily Condry, Michelle Franchini, and Tony Ramirez Reyes.
