Skip to Main Site Navigation Skip to Content Skip to Footer
Back To Top

CPEL: Community Partners for Early Literacy

In August 2008, Eastern's Center for Early Childhood Education was awarded a $3.9 million Early Reading First grant from the U.S. Department of Education. Under the Community Partners for Early Literacy (CPEL) project, the Center partnered with two early learning centers: 1) the Windham Early Childhood Center, part of the Windham Public Schools, and 2) the Child and Family Development Resource Center at Eastern Connecticut State University. Over a three-year period, the project improved the language and early literacy skills of over 500 preschool-aged children. The project accomplished this by providing professional development and literacy coaching to 50 teachers and paraprofessionals, thereby improving early literacy instruction. The project also supported families in engaging in literacy activities at home.

Project Accomplishments

The project had four major accomplishments:

  1. Increased the knowledge and skills of 50 preschool teachers and paraprofessionals
  2. Improved the language and early literacy skills of over 500 preschool-aged children
  3. Improved the home literacy environment
  4. Provided 38 Eastern students with important experiential learning experiences

Read details about these accomplishments, including data on children's gains.

Adult reads a picture book to a preschooler

  • The CPEL project resulted in the development of videos, publications, and other materials that may be useful to teachers, administrators, superintendents, and researchers:

    • Ruby, M. F. & Anderberg, A., (2012, April). Making and maintaining gains of teacher knowledge of early literacy by preschool paraprofessionals through strategic research-based professional development. American Educational Research Association Conference; Vancouver, B.C., Canada.
    • Anderberg, A. (2012, March). SCRIPTS: Emergent literacy practices for parents learning English with their young children. Association for Childhood Education International Global Summit on Childhood; Washington, D.C.
    • Ruby, M. F. & Anderberg, A., (2011, October). Differentiated professional development: Impact on the preschool literacy gap represented by 3 years of teacher and student outcome data. Northwest Educational Research Association Conference; Rocky Hill, CT.
    • Ruby, M. F. & Anderberg, A., (2011, April). Differentiating teachers’ professional development and preschoolers’ literacy instruction: Closing two gaps. Council for Exceptional Children Annual Conference; Washington, D.C.
    • Ruby, M. F. & Anderberg, A., (2011, February). Transforming the early literacy environment: Impact of data, coaching, and professional development. Pacific Coast Research Conference; San Diego, CA.
    • Ruby, M. F. & Anderberg, A., (2010, November). A la orden: Differentiated professional development for Spanish speaking paraeducators. Council for Exception Children Teacher Education Division Annual National Conference; St. Louis, MO.
    • Anderberg, A. (2010, October).  Eastern making a difference: Building bridges between the Latino community and the university: Community Partners for Early Literacy (CPEL).  Panel presentation at The Puerto Rican Studies Association 9th Biennial Meeting; Hartford, CT.
    • Ruby, M. F. (2010, June). Best practices in reading instruction. 2010 National Charter School Conference: Innovators in Education Leading the Race to the Top; Chicago, IL.
    • Ruby, M. F. & Anderberg, A. (2010, April). Teacher knowledge, professional development, student outcomes: Relationships in preschool literacy. Council for Exceptional Children Annual Research Conference; Nashville, TN.
    • Ruby, M. F. &Anderberg, A. (2010, February). Data-driven, language differentiated professional development for teachers.  Pacific Coast Research Conference; San Diego, CA.
    • Ruby, M.F. & Anderberg, A. (2009, October). Preschool teachers’ knowledge of early literacy: Differentiating professional development. Northeast Educational Research Association Conference; Rocky Hill, CT.
    • Ruby, M.F. & Anderberg, A. (2009, May). CPEL grant: Supporting student engagement and research. “Connecticut State University Day” at the State Capitol; Hartford, CT.

  • CPEL logo designed by Eastern student Sofia Nicander.

    Photo by Nick Lacy.