Evaluation of The Electric Company Summer Learning Program

By: Betsy McCarthy, Lisa Michel , Michelle Tiu, Sara Atienza, John Rice, Jonathan Nakamoto, Armando Tafoya

The Electric Company (TEC) television show won the hearts of children because it made learning fun. Thirty years later, the iconic show has returned with the goal of not only teaching literacy, but also numeracy (the ability to work with and understand numbers) and mathematics vocabulary in a fun, entertaining, and engaging manner.

The Electric Company Summer Learning Program curriculum includes:

• Scripted group facilitation
• DVDs of 12 new TEC episodes (viewing two episodes per week)
• Targeted broadband activities
• Individual and peer activities

The Summer Learning Program is 36 hours in length, spread out over five to six weeks. Participants include both teachers and students, ages 6 to 8 years. Last year, 152 students and 16 teachers participated in 1 of 12 programs nationwide.

In this report, WestEd researchers describe a formative evaluation study of TEC in 2009 and provide feedback on successes and areas for improvement.

Some key findings:

• Students showed a 20% gain in their numeracy skills from pre- to post-assessment
• Students showed a 41% gain in their mathematics vocabulary from pre- to post-assessment
• Students showed a 17% gain in their phonics skills from pre- to post-assessment

Download the executive summary, report body, and/or highlights.