Competitive Analysis
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Competitive Analysis This competitive analysis will provide you with the strengths, weaknesses, and key points of differentiation for the PreK programs you may face encounter in your territory. All programs included in this analysis are positioned as comprehensive PreK curriculums, designed to be used in either half or full day settings. Based on the most recent PreK standards, there are certain requirements that all comprehensive PreK programs must have. Because these are requirements, the areas listed below are not focused on in this document. • Research-based instructional strategies • Support for classroom management • Instruction in all key learning domains (social-emotional, oral language, reading, writing, math, science, social studies, physical development, etc.) • Modifications for lessons for special populations (3 year olds, children with special needs). Most of the programs included in this analysis were submitted for the Texas PreK Adoption in 2011, with the exception of Houghton Mifflin PreK and Investigator Club. Two additional programs (High Scope and Tools of the Mind) were submitted in the TX adoption and are not included in this document because they are deemed non-competitive in the market. Please see below for a brief overview and listing of the competition. Texas 2011 New Program Non-Competitive Scholastic (Big Day) X X Pearson (OWL) X X Frog Street X X Teaching Strategies X X McGraw Hill (DLM) X Sopris West (We Can!) X Houghton Mifflin Robert Leslie (Investigator Club) Tools of the Mind X X X High Scope X X X Competitive Analysis Table of Contents Submitted in Texas Adoption: TX Adoption Competitive Overview at-a-Glance……………………………………...1 Frog Street Press: Frog Street PreK Curriculum………………………………………..2 McGraw Hill: DLM Early Childhood Express…………………………………………4 Pearson: Opening the World of Learning (OWL)………………………………………6 Sopris West: We Can!......................................................................................................8 Teaching Strategies: Teaching Strategies System for PreK……………………………10 Additional National Competitors: National Competitive Overview at-a-Glance…………………………………………..12 Houghton Mifflin: Houghton Mifflin PreK…………………………………………….14 Robert Leslie Publishing: InvestiGator Club …………………………………………..16 Big Day for PreK Competitive Overview: 2010 Texas Adoption Submissions Program Name Big Day for PreK Opening the World of DLM Early Childhood Frog Street PreK We Can! Teaching Learning Express Curriculum Strategies Publisher Scholastic Pearson McGraw Hill Frog Street Press Sopris West Teaching Strategies Copyright 2010 2010 2010 2010 2010 2010 Adopted in 1996, 2003 Submitted 2010 Submitted 2010 1996, 2003 Submitted 2010 2003 Submitted 2010 Texas Submitted 2010 Submitted 2010 Research Current Implementation Study in Comal, No efficacy research. 2008 IES Study from No efficacy 2004 Impact study No efficacy TX. Gold Standard efficacy research previous edition only. research. from previous research. study planned in Chicago Public edition only. Schools 2011-2013. Authorship Early Childhood Researchers including: David Dickinson and Doug Clements, Rafael Pam Schiller, Alma Dr. Vicki Gibson Diane Trister Dr. Anne Cunningham, Dr. Nicole Judy Schickendanz Lara-Alecio, Julie Sarama, Flor Ada, Isabel Dodge, Laura Andrews, Dr. Julie Washington, and Dr. Beverly J. Irby Campoy, Brian Colker, Cate Maria Elena Arguelles Mowry Heroman Total Equity in Yes, total equity in instructional Yes. No, not in instructional No, not in Yes. No, not in English and materials, classroom materials, and materials. instructional instructional Spanish family resources. materials. materials. Literature Over 200 Titles available at school and 149 Titles: Big Books, 92 Titles: Big Books, 35 Titles: Big 28 Titles: Big 69 Titles: Big home: Big Books, Little Books, Lab Little Books, Concept Concept Books, Read Books and Little Books, Read Books and Read Books, eBooks, Alphabet Books, Books, Read Alouds Alouds, Little Books, Books. Alouds and Four Alouds. Technology Center Books AudioBooks and Lap Books. eBooks and AudioBooks. Sign Language and Downloadable Books for use at Titles. school and at home. Teacher Teacher Space: Includes Customizable Digital Teaching DLM Express Online: Teachers Guides Lesson Plans on No Teacher Technology Lesson Planners, Teaching Materials, Guides. Includes Online Teacher on CDs. CD that allows Technology Family Communication Tools, I materials, Teacher modifications for Resources. Assessment Tools, Classroom Planning Tools and individualized Management Resources, Access to Assessment Support. instruction. BookFlix, Professional Development and Downloadable Resources. Student BookFlix: Theme related paired fiction Interactive Big Books Audio CD of Literature Games and Online Games CD Audio CDs. Technology and nonfiction eBooks accessible at and Learning Games Books, online Building Patterns CD, and Songs CD. school and at home in English and DVD, Sing Along Songs Blocks Game, Photo Storytelling DVD. Spanish, 32 eBooks total. AudioBook and Poems on Audio Library DVD and Rhymes CDs of Theme Books and Songs and CD. and Chants CD. Fingerplays CD. Assessment Formal and Informal Assessment Tools Informal Assessments Downloadable PDFs Portfolios and Observations, No assessment including the Scholastic Early Childhood and Report Cards. accessible online. Weekly interviews and component. Inventory managed online through the Assessments checklists with Teacher Space. Informal tools include available on CD. formal assessment observation guides that directly relate to component. theme activities along with tools for communicating with families. Family Family Space: Online portal for family Resources CD. Home Connections Guide. Family Connections Newsletter tools. None. Involvement communication in English and Spanish CD and Resource with unlimited access to BookFlix, Book. downloadable books, development resources, kindergarten readiness indicators and teacher-customized classroom information. Frog Street Press: Frog Street PreK Curriculum Product: Frog Street Press PreK Curriculum Publisher: Frog Street Press Copyright: 2010 Product URL: www.fsp3.com Authorship: Pam Schiller, Alma Flor Ada, Isabel Campoy, & Brian Mowry; Featuring Becky Bailey's Conscious Discipline & Steve Spangler Science Submitted in 2010 Texas Adoption Description A new comprehensive bilingual prekindergarten program. Product Components Research: Frog Street Press touts being research-based, but there is no efficacy of the PreK program or for supplemental programs. Literature: 35 titles: includes Big Books and Little Books in English and Spanish. Technology: Teacher Technology: • Teacher’s Guides CD Student Technology: • Games and Patterns CD • Storytelling on Frog Street DVD Assessment: Portfolio Approach Resources Guide with CD and Formative weekly Assessments in English and Spanish on CD. Family Involvement: Family Connections CD and Resource Book Unique Components: • Special Needs Box and Resource Book • Physical Development Box and Resource Book: Includes parachute, beach ball, bean bags • Program Cards Box: Cards, table top pocket chart and 7 smaller pocket charts 2 Frog Street PreK Competitive Overview: Frog Street PreK Strengths • Frog Street PreK is teacher friendly – there are easy to use teaching materials that are attractive, organized, and child-friendly. o Our Response: The program materials in Frog Street PreK are pretty and there are many picture cards that will entice teachers, but these components are not necessarily used in research-based practices. o Big Day Competitive Advantage: In Big Day for PreK, all components are organized, clearly labeled, age and developmentally appropriate, and are seamlessly integrated into research-based instruction throughout the year. All components are intentional, purposeful, and support teaching. • Frog Street PreK contains many books that promote literacy development. o Our Response: All PreK programs include books that promote literacy development. Almost all titles included are authored and/or translated by two of the program authors – and many titles are retold by or adapted by these authors. o Big Day Competitive Advantage: Big Day has a wealth of authentic literature and nonfiction titles that include books of every kind, a wide variety of genres and classic and contemporary favorites providing quality literature at home and in the classroom. • Frog Street PreK includes famous, nationally-renowned names associated with the program, such as Becky Bailey (from Conscious Discipline) and Steve Spangler (Science). o Our Response: Yes, these are well-known names among PreK teachers, but they are not listed as program authors. Materials by these authors were added to the program and are not integrated throughout the program. The Frog Street authorship team does not include any Early Childhood researchers. o Big Day Competitive Advantage: In Big Day, the program authors and advisors are researchers and practitioners who have contributed to the field of early learning and development. These authors led the development of Big Day and their expertise informed all parts of the program. Frog Street PreK Weaknesses: • Frog Street PreK lacks academic focus, and content area instruction is weak. o Big Day Competitive Advantage: Big Day is based on the most current research in Early Childhood with both a social emotional and academic focus integrated across all learning domains including math, science, and social studies. All lessons and activities are intentional, purposeful, and fun