Board approves $397,200 to study early‑literacy app and outcomes after lengthy Q&A

The board approved a $397,200 grant to fund a statewide early‑literacy research study examining use of an app and impacts on reading outcomes, despite questions from members about cost, who provides family‑engagement services, and whether the state could perform the analysis in‑house.

Research lead Dr. Rachel Schechter told the board the vendor that provides the app will handle family engagement and training, while the LXD research team will do analysis and reporting. "The cost is for expertise in project management, data cleaning, design, analysis and reporting," Schechter said. Member Boggess cast the lone no vote after raising concerns about costs and whether the state could perform some data comparisons internally; the motion passed 13‑1 with 1 abstention.