Pacific Resources for Education and Learning (PREL) has served the Pacific region through the Regional Educational Laboratory (REL) program since 1990. In carrying out its REL work, PREL has provided high quality products and services that have addressed critical and enduring educational needs of the region, working with and through State Education Agencies (SEAs), as well as schools, teachers, administrators, and communities.
During the 2001-2006 contract, the Pacific Regional Educational Laboratory Program (REL) conducted early reading research in ten Pacific jurisdictions including American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI), the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM: Chuuk, Kosrae, Pohnpei, and Yap), Guam, Hawai‘I, the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI), and the Republic of Palau for the purpose of improving and strengthening early literacy instruction and achievement. The REL also conducted nationally relevant activities focusing on linking scientifically-based research in early literacy to policy and practice.
The REL engaged in research that identified the essential components of a professional development model for early reading improvement. Classroom observation, teacher, and student achievement data, as well as qualitative and quantitative data on the professional development conducted, were collected. Findings from the study were shared at numerous national conferences, including the American Education Research Association (AERA), National Staff Development Council (NSDC), and American Association for Applied Linguistics (AAAL). This illustrates PREL’s capacity to conduct high quality school- and classroom-level research.
The REL developed a battery of early reading assessments and an assortment of literacy materials in eight Pacific languages. Formative assessments that provide teachers early literacy information about the students in their classrooms did not previously exist in the region. The battery assessed phonemic awareness, phonics, concepts about print, vocabulary, and early reading comprehension. Each fall and spring, classroom teachers assessed their students. The use of formative assessment data to inform instruction is a shift in the region’s approach to testing.
Within the Regional Educational Laboratory (REL) system, PREL’s designated national leadership specialty area was curriculum and instruction related to reading and language mastery. A reading advisory panel was formed to provide expert guidance in this leadership area.
An annual Focus Forum was held, led by nationally recognized researchers who presented and discussed the most current research and knowledge on a specific theme relevant to reading and language mastery. The topics of the Focus Forums were as follows: Focus on Fluency, Focus on Vocabulary, Focus on Comprehension, and Focus on Professional Development. Between 100 and 200 attendees from the regional laboratories, comprehensive assistance centers, state departments of education, institutes of higher education, and researchers gathered to learn and share current knowledge on the specific topics. The accompanying Focus Series of booklets are available from PREL products.
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