Completed in 2007
RAISING THE ACHIEVEMENT OF CHILDREN WITH SPEECH, LANGUAGE AND COMMUNICATION DIFFICULTIES: KS4 TO WORK AND COLLEGE
Directors: Julie Dockrell (University of London, Institute of Education) and Geoff Lindsay
With: Olympia Palikara (ULIE), Mairi-Ann Cullen (CEDAR), Pauline Cooper (Sheffield LEA), Gillian Lighton; Linda Galpert and Diane King (ULIE)
This was the fourth stage of a longitudinal study of a cohort of young people with specific speech and language difficulties (SSLD), originally identified by practitioners when aged 7. Earlier stages investigated the children's development in Year 3 and during transition from primary to secondary school (Years 6-7) and development in Year 9. The recent study investigated the transition from school (Year 11) to post-16 education, training and work. This longitudinal study includes detailed examination of the children's language development, their attainments and behavioural, emotional and social development, and the perspectives of their parents and teachers. The present study continued this approach together with interviews with their college tutors and others supporting transitions (e.g. Connexions services) and the young people themselves. Previous phases were funded by the Gatsby Charitable Foundation and ESRC; the present study was funded by the Department for Children, Schools and Families.
This longitudinal study has led to a large number of publications with more in preparation. Furthermore, a new stage is underway Olympia Palikara, (funded by an ESRC doctoral studentship) is following up the young people from post-16 to 18 years.
