CINCINNATI – Mount St. Joseph University is excited to announce the expansion of their successful Project Ready Initiative after receiving two grants to fund the expansion. Project Ready received a total of $125,000 thanks to the generosity of the Carol Ann and Ralph V. Haile, Jr. Foundation and the Nethercott Fund of Greater Cincinnati Foundation.

The purpose of Project Ready is to increase access to high quality, early literacy and learning experiences for children living in poverty. Dr. Amy Murdoch, reading science program director and graduate chair at Mount St. Joseph University’s School of Education, started Project Ready as a sabbatical project.

“We are very grateful for the Carol Ann and Ralph V. Haile, Jr. Foundation and the Nethercott Fund of Greater Cincinnati Foundation for funding the expansion of this successful project. Research shows the key to reducing reading difficulty is to provide quality and well-planned instruction from the start of children’s school careers,” said Dr. Murdoch.

The original goal was to provide research based instructional opportunities for preschool age children, so they start school strong and continue on the path of success. Dr. Murdoch and her team collaboratively created an easy-to-use research based early learning curriculum with a focus on language skills, early literacy skills and content knowledge.

The pilot project involved three schools: one implementation school, serving children from low- income families and two comparison schools, one school serving children with a similar demographic and one school serving children from middle-upper income families. The Project Ready program was applied at the implementation school in two preschool classrooms across 16 weeks.

Pre-test and post-test assessments of language and literacy skills clearly showed the children at the implementation school made significantly greater skill growth than both of the comparison schools where the program was not implemented. Also, children at the implementation school significantly narrowed the achievement gap and scored in a similar range as children from the school serving middle-upper income families.

“There is a substantial body of research regarding the importance of intentionally teaching young children language and literacy skills. We can see the achievement gap between income levels very early in life. By providing effective early instruction, we can prepare all children for school entry, setting them on a trajectory of success across schooling,” said Murdoch.

With the expansion, Project Ready will be implemented with 11 new classrooms of children across Mt. Healthy school district, St. Joseph School, St. Williams School, and Mount St. Joseph University’s campus children’s center.

The expansion includes providing teachers with professional development, updated curriculum materials from the pilot project, family engagement materials, and materials to support children who need additional support.

The expansion of Project Ready starts next school year in the Fall, but they will begin training teachers over the summer. Dr. Murdoch is dedicated to make all the materials available online for free by using some of the grant funds to create a website, which will also include professional learning in video format and classroom examples for teachers and instructors

Dr. Murdoch’s team is working with an evaluator that will examine the effects of Project Ready and follow these children through early elementary school to understand the long-term impact of the project.

About the Mount

As a Catholic institution rooted in the values of the Sisters of Charity, Mount St. Joseph University excels at serving the common good. Undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral students at the Mount are inspired to think beyond the classroom and redraw the bounds of what’s possible for their futures. This is accomplished through individualized educational experiences, a safe, secure campus environment, and an all-in commitment from faculty and staff to inspire students to reach their highest potential. The Mount fosters life-long learners who serve, care, and contribute to the world beyond their front doors. To find out more visit: www.msj.edu.

Contact:
Shayna Nevermann
On Behalf of Mount St. Joseph University
859-322-9983
snevermann@emailstrategic.com