World of Words produced a statistically significant medium effect on expressive vocabulary (Expressive One-Word Picture Vocabulary Test, 4th Edition; effect size 0.43) in a scaled-up 12-site study¶

Claim · All claims
Evidence · 1 study · causal r? · q3 · i2 medium
Currency · newest study 2023 · not yet checked against its sources · not reviewed by a person

Subclaims¶

q3 i2 In the Neuman et al. (2021) scale-up study, children receiving World of Words scored significantly higher than comparison children on the Expressive One-Word Picture Vocabulary Test - 4th Edition (effect size 0.43, improvement index +17, p < 0.01). → eowpvt

Evidence¶

eowpvt¶

What Works Clearinghouse, Institute of Education Sciences, U.S. Department of Education. (2023, August). World of Words. https://whatworks.ed.gov

q3 · i2 · causal · r?

Cluster randomized controlled trial with compromised random assignment (meets WWC standards with reservations via baseline equivalence) of 211 children in 24 classrooms across 12 state-funded preschool sites in a large metropolitan area, assessed at the end of 21 weeks. Means were "90.50 (15.26)" versus "82.50 (14.63)", with printed effect size 0.43 and improvement index +17.

"End of 21 weeks of implementation 211 children 12 preschool sites in the United States 90.50 (15.26) 82.50 (14.63) 0.43 +17 Yes (p < 0.01)"

Discussion¶

Learner Variables¶

• Communication Skills — outcome: instruction changes it
• Oral Language — outcome: instruction changes it
• Vocabulary — outcome: instruction changes it

Related Claims¶

• World of Words produced a statistically significant medium effect on a comprehension composite measure (effect size 0.54) after 12 weeks — related
• World of Words showed no statistically significant effects on the Woodcock-Johnson Picture Vocabulary Subtest or the PPVT-IV — related
• World of Words has positive effects on the language outcome domain for prekindergarten children, with an average effect size of 0.43 across four studies — a broader claim this one bears on
• World of Words produced a statistically significant medium-to-large effect on a researcher-developed vocabulary inductive reasoning test (effect size 0.66) — related
• World of Words produced a large, statistically significant effect on taught-word sorting performance (effect size 0.94) in a two-site Head Start study — related