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Testing Theory to Explain and Solve the Head Start Fade (The Fade Phenomenon) 287

Research results from some Head Start/Pre–K programs described here and in the small-
class research, when aligned, suggest theories as a foundation for the current research
hypothesis. Theories established by Pre–K through K–3 research shown in Table 1 support
children’s long-term success (See Table 1).

Table 1. Theory Development: Examples of Enduring Effects of Small-Class Sizes.

Theory Source Comments

Small classes (15–17
students) and one
teacher. Aide can help
but not teach.

Head Start and Pre–K

Programs:

Perry Child Development

Centers (PCDC)

Chicago Parent and Child

Center (CCPC) (ages 3–9)

Abecedarian Program

(ages 0–5 years)

Small classes are not pupil-teacher ratio

(PTR). Class size is a different way of

organizing and delivering instruction.

Small classes are good for all children.

Increased gains accrued for minority and at-

risk children and that all children advanced in

learning to greater degrees than did children

in large classes.

Program Intensity
(Same teacher every
day, all day, for core
academics)

CCPC

Abecedarian

STAR (1985)

Burke County, N.C.

Student Achievement

Guarantee in Education

(SAGE) (Molnar et al.,

1999)

Program intensity was advanced by Ramey

and Ramey (1998) in the Abecedarian

program and later in STAR (Word et al.,

1990), and some in SAGE (Molnar et al.,

1999)

Early Intervention
(When the child starts
school)

Head Start (1965)

PCDC, CCPC

Abecedarian

SAGE

MSRP (age 4)

Because Head Start does not enroll all

eligible students, the Michigan School

Readiness Program (MSRP) enrolled some

children not admitted to Head Start. MSRP

was judged a success.

Duration after Pre–K
(All day K and 3–4
years in small-class
programs)

STAR

Burke County, N.C.

SAGE, STAR

Abecedarian

Abecedarian, STAR, and SAGE were

examples of three to four years of program

duration. Stronger effects occurred with each

added year.

Transition Programs:
Pre–K, K–3

CCPC

Abecedarian

PCDC

STAR

SAGE

All preschool programs offered services to

children through at least third grade. CCPC

kept students in the program ages 3-9. CCPC

and PCDC provided tutors for students in

public school, K–3.

Parent Involvement

Random Assignment/
Heterogeneity

Head Start

Abecedarian

CCPC, STAR

Burke County

SAGE

STAR

PCDC

Head Start

Parents become more involved in small-class

programs in the early years. They tend to

remain more involved in school through

elementary school.

STAR results showed positive effects of

heterogeneity, findings supported by other

work on the importance of heterogeneity.