The goal of this project is to stimulate language and comprehension skills in Grade 1 children at risk for reading comprehension difficulties by testing the efficacy of a modified, small-group, version of the Let’s Know! intervention. Let’s Know!2 systematically targets lower- and higher-level language skills to improve both language skills and listening comprehension. Delivering small-group instruction affords a targeted focus on those children with low language abilities who are most at risk for poor reading comprehension, many of whom have Developmental Language Disorder (DLD). We have three specific aims: (a) determine the efficacy of Let’s Know! as a school-based, small-group, language-focused comprehension intervention for promoting the lower-and higher-level language skills of Grade 1 children who are at risk for comprehension difficulties due to low language, (b) determine the efficacy of Let’s Know! for promoting the comprehension skills of children who are at risk for comprehension difficulties due to low language, and (c) determine the extent to which intervention effects are moderated by dosage, initial language skill, DLD status, word reading skill, nonverbal IQ, and family socioeconomic status. We implemented a multi-site randomized controlled trial (RCT) to address these aims. We recruited elementary schools to participate and selected Grade 1 students who were at risk for comprehension difficulties due to low language. We randomly assigned individual students, within school, to Let's Know!2 intervention or business-as-usual control conditions. Research staff provided Let's Know!2 intervention to assigned students in small groups at their respective elementary schools. Research staff assessed students' language, literacy, and comprehension skills at pretest, posttest, and 1- and 2-years following initial participation. We hypothesize that children who experience Let's Know! will end Grade 1 with higher language skills than children in the control condition and that this will translate into better listening and reading comprehension skills as these children matriculate through elementary school.
