Parent Letter

DATE

Parent Name

Address

Address

Dear (Name of Parent/Guardian):

Your family was enrolled in the Even Start program during the 2004-2005 and/or 2005-2006 school years. During that time, you agreed to be part of a national research study looking at Even Start, called the Even Start Classroom Literacy Interventions and Outcomes (CLIO) study. The U.S. Department of Education is paying for a CLIO Follow-Up study, and Westat is conducting it.

As you may recall, last spring when we interviewed you as part of the Even Start CLIO study, we asked you for information that would allow us to reach you again. The CLIO Follow-Up study is now getting ready to collect information on CLIO families whose children are in kindergarten or first grade. We will be collecting information in spring 2007. If you agree to take part in the CLIO Follow-Up study, we will

• Ask your child to look at some pictures and answer some questions,

• Ask you about your reading habits, your feelings, and your child’s health and behavior, and

• Ask you to read a short children’s book to your child and play with a toy with your child while we videotape you.

We will be in touch shortly to arrange for this data collection. At that time, we will ask you to read and sign a required parental consent form. The consent form will include more detailed information about the activities that you and your child will be asked to participate in.

Thank you in advance for your cooperation. We look forward to working with you again. If you have any questions, please call the CLIO hot line at 888-445-1016.

Sincerely,

Babette Gutmann

CLIO Study Director