In December 2023, the Sandra Dunagan Deal Center for Early Language and Literacy awarded seven new research grants as part of its fifth annual Research Grant Initiative for Implementation Research to Improve Early Language and Literacy Outcomes.

This initiative provides University System of Georgia institutions and state agencies funding to conduct implementation research around early language and literacy practices for children birth through age eight that create the conditions for all children to be on the path to third grade reading proficiency. Each awardee designed a study using implementation science principles to examine practices that foster early language and literacy within the context of birth through age eight service and educational systems. Each recipient is awarded up to $50,000 for project implementation from January 15, 2024, to December 31, 2024.

This year’s awardees are:

• Augusta University, Dr. Rebecca G. Harper, “Building Foundational Literacy Skills Through Collaborative and Family Partnerships”

• Dalton Public Schools, Malisa Pedro, “Beyond the Basics: Expanding the Community"

• Furlow Charter School, JoAnna Arnold, “Project-Based Learning, Transdisciplinary Literacy, Equity Lens: A Mixed Method Study Facilitated to Examine Teacher Identities and Student Impact”

• University of Georgia, Dr. Kevin M. Ayres, “Development of a Research Informed Classroom Tool for Evaluating Special Educators Implementation of Read Aloud"

• University of Georgia, Dr. Erin Hamel, “The Talkative Teacher Project: Reducing Job-Related Stress to Improve Communication in Preschool Classrooms”

• University of Georgia, Dr. Kristin L. Sayeski, “Using a University-Practice Partnership as a Lever for the Training and Delivery of a Summer Early Literacy Intervention"

• Valdosta State University, Dr. Matthew Carter, “Using Pre-Service SLPs to Increase Access to Early-Reading Intervention”

Founded in 2017, the Deal Center’s statewide mission is to increase the early language and literacy skills of Georgia’s children by conducting and supporting research in the field to find sustainable and scalable solutions and disseminating evidence-based practices in early language and literacy development, effective instruction, and professional development. We also provide evidence-based professional development for individuals and organizations working with children and offer monetary awards to community organizations in Georgia looking to utilize evidence-based practices to lead their communities to improved language and literacy outcomes.