Studies for State Agencies, Foundations, and Non-Profit Organizations
Evaluation of SPARK
As a partner in the SPARK (Supporting Partnerships to Assure Ready Kids) project, CRDG, through Morris Lai and Sue York, continues its work with young children (ages 3–7) in the Wai‘anae and Keaukaha areas. In its fourth year, SPARK is an initiative of the W.K. Kellogg Foundation and is implemented in Hawai‘i by INPEACE (Institute for Native Pacific Education and Culture). INPEACE’s partners include the Kamehameha Schools, the Good Beginnings Alliance, the Hawai‘i Department of Education, and CRDG. The project focuses on improving the transition from home to school. Some of the activities are intended to help prepare children for school, while others focus on helping schools prepare for incoming kindergartners. CRDG’s role in the project is two-fold: First, as the project evaluator, CRDG conducts formative and summative evaluation and prepares annual reports evaluating the grant’s implementation. In addition, CRDG is conducting a long-term study of SPARK participants to see whether the interventions have a significant impact on children’s school readiness and subsequent success. The project will continue through 2008.