Board approves Univ. of Delaware study to track bilingual literacy; participation voluntary

Dr. Sayaka Earl of the University of Delaware asked the board to permit a voluntary research partnership to study phonological development and early literacy in Spanish–English bilingual children. "The participation in the study is voluntary by the families," Earl said, explaining the team would recruit through schools and conduct assessments on school grounds if families agree.

Earl said the team plans to apply for a five‑year NIH grant to begin in spring 2025. If funded, the multi‑site study would follow cohorts over three years and include roughly 30 families per site per year; the total viable sample across sites would be about 160 children per year. Participating families would receive assessment score reports and modest compensation; the research team also offers annual workshops for families and consultation support for school speech‑language pathologists.

Board members asked about IRB oversight, staff burden and statistical power; Earl said the research team would manage IRB processes and serve as the site PI, and that administrators already have been consulted. Trustees emphasized that board approval allows the study to be conducted but that any school‑level participation would be coordinated with district administration. The board approved the motion to allow the research study to be conducted, pending administrative coordination and parental consent.