Educare of Winnebago is unique to the Educare network in that the population of children served is nearly 100% Native American and the center is supported by the Winnebago Tribe. Educare of Winnebago has multiple staff members including the co-directors who are Native American and who work closely with the Winnebago Tribal Council. Cultural elements are predominant throughout Educare of Winnebago from the building structures to the art work to the Ho-Chunk language instruction woven into the classroom. The Winnebago Tribal community is a part of the daily operations at Educare of Winnebago and one of the primary emphases of the program is to continue to promote both cultural understanding and native language acquisition with the students and families.
A second grant (Early Language Initiative) funded by the United States Department of Education supports instruction and learning in the culture of the Winnebago tribe as well as instruction in the native language of Ho-Chunk. The ELI grant seeks to provide students with ongoing instruction in Ho-Chunk in addition to weekly visits from the Renaissance program which provides cultural experiences and activities within the classroom for all students. Ho-Chunk is to be integrated into the curricula taught by the staff over the duration of the 5 year grant.
Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test (PPVT)-Fourth Edition
The Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test-Fourth Edition (PPVT-4) was used to measure students receptive vocabulary. Students ages 3 years and older were assessed in the fall and the spring on the PPVT. A paired samples t-test resulted in a significant change from pre to post testing (t(73)=3.026, p<.01). An effect size was calculated using Cohens d and was approaching the zone of desired effects (d=.35). For students entering kindergarten, the mean spring standard score was in the average range (SS=93).
Preschool Language Scales-Fifth Edition (PLS-5)
The Preschool Language Scales-Fifth Edition (PLS-5) measures students receptive and expressive language. As part of the Educare model, only the receptive portion of the tool is given. For 2013-14, the PLS-5 was used to assess receptive language skills for all students ages one year of age and older during the spring only. The mean standard score on this assessment was in the low average range (SS=90.37). However, for students transitioning to kindergarten in the fall of 2014, the mean standard score was less than the overall mean, (SS=87).
Devereux Early Childhood Assessment (DECA)
The Devereux is a screening tool for social, emotional and behavioral concerns for infants, toddlers and preschool students. The Devereux Early Childhood Assessment for Preschoolers, Second Edition (DECA-P2) was completed on students aged 3 years and older while the Devereux Early Childhood Assessment for Infants (DECA-I) and the Devereux Early Childhood Assessment for Toddlers (DECA-T) were completed for students in the infant and toddler age ranges. The rating scales were completed by teachers for each child in a classroom in both the fall and spring. During the fall screening, 22/117 (18%) students were rated in the concern range while in the spring 31/133 (23%) students were in range of concern.
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