Researchers Look to Enhance Relationships Between Madison Teachers and Kindergartners
August 7, 2018
This summer, about 100 Madison families with kids entering kindergarten will get home visits from teachers in an experimental effort to build relationships.
Beth Vaade, a program evaluation specialist with the Madison School District and co-director of the Madison Education Partnership, said the hope is to forge a bond with families so when kids go from 4-year-old kindergarten to 5-year-old classes “on that first day, they’re feeling like this is a safe place, this is a place that cares about me, and a place that I want to be part of.”
The partnership is a research effort between the district, University of Wisconsin-Madison researchers and community members that aims to improve educational outcomes. Also leading the project is Eric Grodsky, a professor of sociology and educational policy studies at UW-Madison.