The effect of the Preparing PequeA+-os small-group cognitive instruction program on academic and concurrent social and behavioral outcomes in Spanish-speaking dual-language learners

This study evaluated the effectiveness of Preparing PequeA+-os, an integrated small-group instruction program designed to promote increased learning for Spanish speaking dual language learners (DLLs) in language, literacy, and math. The DLLs in the Preparing PequeA+-os intervention classrooms received 90 minutes of small group instruction four days per week for the entire school year. The DLLs in the small group intervention classes made significantly greater gains in Spanish oral language, print knowledge, phonological awareness, and phonics than the control group. The children in the intervention classes also evidenced less aggression, school avoidance, and anger. The teachers and paraprofessionals in the intervention classes showed greater increases in cognitive instruction, team teaching, and progress monitoring than the teachers and paraprofessionals in the control classes.