Guide to the Archives

RG11 Project Follow Through

Title: Record Group 11 – Project Follow Through
Call #: RG11
Dates: 1955 [1967-1994]
Quantity: 64 linear feet (approximately)

Abstract: This record group of the institution was generated by the division of Follow Through at Bank Street College. The late twentieth century learning model and project was developed and sponsored by Bank Street in several communities across the country. Correspondence, reports, audiovisual media, notes, curricula, and other record types document the business of the project as a whole and within each community.

Language of Material: English
Location: Bank Street College Archives New York, NY
Preferred Citation: Record Group 11 – Project Follow Through, Box #, Bank Street College Archives, New York, NY

Historical Note

The Follow Through program was originally funded by a 1967 amendment to Title II of the Economic Opportunity Act. The amendment authorizes “A program to be known as Follow Through focused primarily upon children in kindergarten or elementary school who were previously enrolled in Head Start or similar programs and designed to provide comprehensive services and parent participation activities” and was intended to sustain and build upon gains made by low-income children in Head Start. In February, an advisory committee chaired by Bank Street College Provost and Dean of Faculties Gordon Klopf issued a preliminary report containing its recommendations for Follow Through. The committee concluded that even when a Head Start experience was a positive one, it was often not enough to “ameliorate the cumulative effects of deprivation over the years of early childhood.” In order to succeed, Follow Through must meet the physical, psycho-social and instructional needs of children. A successful Follow Through program would require the cooperative participation of parents, staff and state and local educational agencies. Follow Through was originally conceptualized as a comprehensive service program similar to Head Start.

In 1968, Follow Through was redesigned as a research and development program. A number of colleges, universities, educational laboratories and researchers that had developed successful approaches to early childhood education were invited to sponsor communities within the program. Each institution presented their model and communities selected the approach that most closely met the needs of the children in the community. The chosen institution provided teacher training, curriculum materials, evaluation and other services to help the community implement and evaluate that approach in the classroom. As part of the planned variation design, the Department of Health, Education and Welfare contracted with different agencies to coordinate a long range study of Follow Through and evaluate the effectiveness of the models.

The Bank Street College approach to early childhood education was known as the developmental-Interaction approach. This approach was based on two guiding principles; first, that curricula be individualized based on the child’s stage of development, second, that children learn through interaction. The goal, as defined in a working paper on the Bank Street Approach to Follow Through, “is to enable each child, in his initial years of schooling, to build a positive image of himself as a learner.” Over the course of the project, Bank Street served as Follow Through sponsor for numerous schools in the fourteen communities represented here. Rather than integrate Project Follow Through into an existing division of Bank Street, such as the Research Division or the Field Services Division, it was decided to create a new division for Follow Through. Division directors included Elizabeth Gilkeson, Lorraine Smithberg and Dick Feldman.

Scope and Content Note

Record Group 11 Follow Through (approximately 64 linear feet) documents the activities of the division of Follow Through at Bank Street College. It is divided into subgroups based on the locations of the communities using the Bank Street Follow Through model. Materials from the program as a whole and audio-visual materials are each contained in their own subgroup. The records span the time period from 1955 to 1994, with the bulk of materials created between 1967-1994. Access to certain records may be restricted.

Descriptions

The record group consists of the following subgroups and series. Select a series for further information:

SUBGROUP 1
General Program (1955 {1967-1993})
  • SERIES A - Correspondence and Notes (1966-1991)

    Includes correspondence and notes relating to the design, implementation and evaluation of the Bank Street Follow Through program. Also included are correspondence with the national network of Follow Through sponsors. Correspondents include Elizabeth Gilkeson, Lorraine Smithberg and Dick Feldman.

  • SERIES B – Proposals (1967-1992)

    Includes federal grant applications for Follow Through sponsorship, accompanying budget and other application materials. A few more specific proposals unrelated to a specific site are also included.

  • SERIES C - Reports (1967-1981)

    Contains mid-year and final reports of Bank Street’s sponsorship activities, technical reports, historical reports and early Follow Through advisory committee reports.

  • SERIES D - National Assessment (1967-1991)

    Contains materials relating to the national assessment of Follow Through as mandated during the program’s creation. Abt Associates, Huron Institute, Stanford Research Institute and Nero and Associates all participated in national evaluations during the duration of the program.

  • SERIES E - Curriculum Materials (1967-1983)

    Includes curriculum materials designed for or used in Bank Street’s Follow Through program.

  • SERIES F - Evaluative Instruments (1966-1982)

    Includes standardized testing materials and other evaluative materials developed for use in Bank Street’s Follow Through program. Test results, reports and analysis can be found in Series J Program Analysis.

  • SERIES G - Papers and Publications (1955-1992)

    Includes research papers, newsletters, conference papers, articles and other publications by Follow Through staff members of Bank Street and other sponsors. Also included are earlier publications and resources collected by Bank Street Follow Through staff.

  • SERIES H – Other Sponsor Models (1965-1993)

    Contains reports, proposals and model and program descriptions from other Follow Through sponsors throughout the United States, including, among other, University of Oregon, High/Scope Educational Foundation, University of Arizona, and the University of Florida.

  • SERIES I - Staff Development (1963-1991)

    Includes materials from conferences and institutes held at Bank Street as well as Annual Follow Through Conferences attended by all sponsors. Observation guides, staff handbooks and checklists are also included.

  • SERIES J - Program Analysis (1969-1989)

    Contains materials created for the analysis of the Bank Street model, including ACOST (analysis of children’s oral storytelling task) and BRACE (behavior ratings and analysis of communication in education). Also includes materials submitted to the Joint Dissemination Review Panel (JDRP) for validation of the Bank Street model and analysis and reports of student testing data on the individual and classroom level.

  • SERIES K - Parent and Community Programs (1967-1983)

    Includes Parent Advisory Council (PAC) guidelines, publications and correspondence.

SUBGROUP 2
Boulder, Colorado (1968-1986)
  • SERIES A - Correspondence and Notes (1975-1985)

    Contains correspondence between Boulder Valley School District officials and Bank Street and some internal Boulder Follow Through memos and correspondence.

  • SERIES B – Proposals (1969, 1982)

    Includes a budget proposal from 1969-1970 and a proposal narrative for the 1982-1983 school year.

  • SERIES C – Reports (1975-1981)

    Contains mid-year and year-end reports primarily prepared by field representative Mari Endreweit. Also contains a report on the history of the Boulder Follow Through program.

  • SERIES D – Parent and Community Programs (1968-1977)

    Includes materials from parent workshops and institutes held for Boulder Follow Through. Also included is a packet from Boulder City-County Health Department school health program.

  • SERIES E - Curriculum Materials (1975)

    Contains a description of the Bank Street approach to reading in Boulder.

  • SERIES G – Papers and Publications (1970-1980)

    Contains Boulder newsletter and a description of the Boulder Valley Follow Through program.

  • SERIES H - Staff Development (1969-1986)

    Includes site visit reports, logs and notes by field advisor Mari Endreweit. Also contains materials from Boulder staff visits to Bank Street College.

  • SERIES I – Program Analysis (1976-1980)

    Contains student test data and results as well as a BRACE analysis.

SUBGROUP 3
Brattleboro, Vermont (1973-1990)
  • SERIES A - Correspondence and Notes

    Contains an undated child’s letter to Brattleboro Follow Through Director Janet Evans.

  • SERIES C – Reports (1973, 1976, 1982)

    Contains general reports and a report on a study of achievement test scores.

  • SERIES D - Parent and Community Programs (1973-1990)

    Contains cookbooks compiled by parents, a parent questionnaire, reports on parent involvement and a parent’s perspective on the Brattleboro Follow Through program.

  • SERIES E - Curriculum Materials (1974-1977)

    Curriculum Materials (1974-1977) includes math, social studies, reading and language curriculum materials.

  • SERIES F - Evaluative Instruments (1978)

    Contains a blank project monitoring instrument used to evaluate the Brattleboro program in December 1978.

  • SERIES G - Papers and Publications (1974, 1979)

    Contains a publication of the State of Vermont Department of Education on Follow Through and a paper on the design of the Brattleboro program.

  • SERIES H - Staff Development (1973)

    Contains a teacher’s institute schedule.

  • SERIES I - Program Analysis (1980)

    Contains a Joint Dissemination Review Panel submission from October 1980.

SUBGROUP 4
Cambridge, Massachusetts (1970-1989)
  • SERIES A - Correspondence and Notes (1972-1986)

    Contains internal correspondence as well as correspondence between Cambridge staff and Bank Street. Also included are notes and draft letters.

  • SERIES B – Proposals (1972-1989)

    Contains grant proposals and applications.

  • SERIES C - Reports (1974-1981)

    Contains mid-year and final reports submitted by Bank Street field advisors.

  • SERIES D - Parent and Community Programs (1975, 1978)

    Includes responses to a parent questionnaire and material on the parent intern experience.

  • SERIES E - Curriculum Materials (1974-1975)

    Includes guidelines for creating mathematics and language arts curricula.

  • SERIES F - Evaluative Instruments (1974-1976, 1983)

    Includes test scores and coding materials.

  • SERIES G – Papers and Publications (1975-1988)

    Contains newsletters, articles and other publications on Cambridge Follow Through.

  • SERIES H - Staff Development (1972-1988)

    Includes materials from teacher’s institutes, conferences and workshops. Also included are materials from a Bank Street course Seminars in Case Studies of Children.

  • SERIES I - Program Analysis (1970-1983)

    Contains program analysis reports and drafts and materials submitted to JDRP.

SUBGROUP 5
Elmira, New York (1969-1981)
  • SERIES A - Correspondence and Notes (1971, 1980)

    Includes general correspondence from 1980 as well as correspondence to and from Joan Clark dated 1971.

  • SERIES C – Reports (1974, 1979-1980)

    Contains reports and drafts, including a report on a 2-day visit to Elmira by a field advisor and a follow-up report on a summer workshop.

  • SERIES H - Staff Development (1970-1980)

    Includes materials from institutes and workshops and a trip log of field advisor Virginia Dearborn.

  • SERIES I - Program Analysis (1969-1970, 1980-1981)

    Contains materials on the creation and analysis of the Elmira Follow Through program.

SUBGROUP 6
Fall River, Massachusetts (1968-1992)
  • SERIES A - Correspondence and Notes (1975-1978)

    Contains memos and correspondence from 1975-1978.

  • SERIES B – Proposals (1975-1992)

    Contains grant proposals submitted by the Fall River School Department.

  • SERIES C - Reports (1975-1983)

    Includes mid-year and final report and drafts as well as a historical report on the program.

  • SERIES D - Parent and Community Programs (1972-1979)

    Includes Parent Advisory Committee (PAC) correspondence and by-laws, a parent newsletter and materials from a parent mini-course.

  • SERIES F - Evaluative Instruments (1974-1975)

    Includes MAT achievement test material, pre-kindergarten screening forms and kindergarten bilingual assessment materials.

  • SERIES H - Staff Development (1968-1990)

    Contains materials from Bank Street College courses taught in Fall River and various Bank Street institutes and descriptions and materials from teacher workshops on topics such as block building.

  • SERIES I - Program Analysis (1969-1980)

    Includes program analysis reports, testing data and BRACE materials.

SUBGROUP 7
Honolulu, Hawaii (1967-1992)
  • SERIES A - Correspondence and Notes (1970-1983)

    Includes correspondence and memos; correspondents include Hawaii staff, Director Janet Sumida, Elizabeth Gilkeson and field advisors.

  • SERIES B – Proposals ({1975-1982} 1992)

    Includes grant proposals and applications as well as budgets and other draft materials used in preparing applications.

  • SERIES C - Reports (1975-1982)

    Includes mid-year and final reports and technical reports.

  • SERIES D - Parent and Community Programs (1974-1984)

    Includes newsletters from the Hawaii program and drafts and final versions of the Handbook on Parent Involvement.

  • SERIES E - Curriculum Materials (1971-1983)

    Includes State of Hawaii Department of Education curriculum guides as well as language and reading curriculum materials used in the Palolo School.

  • SERIES F - Evaluative Instruments (1974-1977)

    Contains self-appraisal inventories and school sentiment indices for the primary and intermediate levels and accompanying instruction booklets. Also included are reading assessment materials.

  • SERIES G – Papers and Publications (1971-1983)

    Includes publications, newsletters and reports of the State Department of Education and individual school Follow Through programs. Also included are newspaper articles on Hawaii Follow Through.

  • SERIES H - Staff Development (1967 {1973-1984})

    Contains primarily reports and logs on site visits and observations of field advisors Carol Darcy and Annette Shapiro. Materials from the planning and execution of institutes, conferences and workshops are also included.

  • SERIES I - Program Analysis (1972-1984)

    Includes BRACE reports and observations, achievement test scores and class records, JDRP reports and correspondence, and Early Provisions for School Success (EPSS) materials.

SUBGROUP 8
Huntsville, Alabama (1969-1983)
  • SERIES A - Correspondence and Notes (1975-1978)

    Contains correspondence from 1975-1980.

  • SERIES B – Proposals (1975-1983)

    Contains an application for funding for 1982-1983 and materials relating to the implementation section of the 1975-1976 application.

  • SERIES C - Reports (1975-1981)

    Contains a historical report documenting the years 1969-1975 and mid-year and final reports from 1975-1981.

  • SERIES D - Parent and Community Programs (1978)

    Contains papers on parent assisted learning.

  • SERIES H - Staff Development (1969-1983)

    Includes field representative objectives and reports, information on Department of Education visits and institute and workshop materials.

  • SERIES I - Program Analysis (1979-1980)

    Contains JDRP submission materials from 1979-1980.

SUBGROUP 9
Macon County, Alabama (1968-1992)
  • SERIES A - Correspondence and Notes (1975-1987)

    Contains correspondence and memos from 1975-1983 and a letter discontinuing Bank Street’s sponsorship of the Macon County Follow Through program dated November 12, 1987.

  • SERIES B – Proposals (1972-1992)

    Contains applications for funding for years between 1972-1992; gaps include 1979-1981 and 1985-1991.

  • SERIES C - Reports (1968-1982)

    Includes mid-year and final reports, a historical report and a social worker quarterly report.

  • SERIES D - Parent and Community Programs (1968-1979)

    Contains materials from a Head Start Parent Workshop, a report on the Historical Perspective of the Macon County Follow Through Parent Program and a publication on Family Talk about Follow Through.

  • SERIES E - Curriculum Materials (1978-1979)

    Contains social studies curriculum materials, including a class notebook of Eleanor Greig and Mari Endreweit’s notes from a mapping class.

  • SERIES G – Papers and Publications (1970)

    Contains notes and observations for a pilot study at Loachapou Junior High School.

  • SERIES H - Staff Development (1969-1982)

    Includes field advisor notes, reports and trip logs and materials from teachers’ conferences and staff development institutes.

  • SERIES I - Program Analysis ({1970-1980} 1991)

    Contains Macon County materials from the Follow Through Study, including drawings, testing results and information on student behavior.

SUBGROUP 10
New Haven, Connecticut (1969-1990)
  • SERIES A - Correspondence and Notes (1974-1984)

    Contains correspondence from 1974-1984.

  • SERIES B – Proposals (1978-1989)

    Includes general proposals and applications for funding.

  • SERIES C - Reports (1975-1982)

    Contains mid-year and final reports, report drafts and summaries. Some reports are specific to the Roger Sherman Magnet School.

  • SERIES D - Parent and Community Programs (1972-1980)

    Includes materials from parent visits to Bank Street and PS 243, a statement from the Parent Workers Conference and a publication by Helene Grant School parents on summer activities for parents and children.

  • SERIES E - Curriculum Materials (1969-1982)

    Contains curriculum committee minutes, instructional plans, social studies curriculum materials and block-building curriculum from West Hills.

  • SERIES F – Evaluative Instruments (1975-1977)

    Contains checklists, instructions for administering a measuring task and a kindergarten screening form.

  • SERIES G - Papers and Publications (1981-1983)

    Includes papers, newsletters and other publications by staff and parents of the Helene Grant School, West Hills School and Roger Sherman Magnet School Follow Through programs.

  • SERIES H - Staff Development (1973-1990)

    Includes schedules and other materials from New Haven staff visits to Bank Street, field reports, logs and notes from field advisors Annette Shapiro, Alma Weisberg and Bela Stein.

  • SERIES I - Program Analysis (1974-1983)

    Includes individual student stories recorded on cassettes accompanied by transcripts, JDRP submission materials, achievement test results and analysis. Also included are portions of David Wickens work on the study of the New Haven Follow Through program.

SUBGROUP 11
New York, New York (1969-1992)
  • SERIES A - Correspondence and Notes (1969-1990)

    Contains correspondence and memos on the PS 243 Follow Through program.

  • SERIES B – Proposals (1986-1991)

    Proposals (1986-1991) contains general proposals and applications for funding for the PS 33 and PS 243 Follow Through programs. Proposals for the Follow Through Resource Center at PS 243 are also included.

  • SERIES C - Reports (1969-1987)

    Contains a report on the PS 33 Follow Through program from 1986-1987. PS 243 mid-year and final reports and related materials from field advisors and Bank Street Follow Through Director Elizabeth Gilkeson are also included.

  • SERIES D - Parent and Community Programs (1972-1990)

    Includes PS 243 Policy Advisory Committee (PAC) materials as well as invitations and information on events held by the PS 243 Resource Center.

  • SERIES E - Curriculum Materials (1969-1983)

    Includes language, readings and social studies curriculum materials from PS 243.

  • SERIES F – Evaluative Instruments (1971-1973)

    Includes PS 243 performance indicator and program implementation checklists and blank Metropolitan Achievement Test booklets.

  • SERIES G - Papers and Publications (1970-1992)

    Includes papers and publications by and about Follow Through from PS 33, PS 262 and PS 243. Contains mostly publications, newsletters and newspaper articles from the PS 243 Resource Center. Also included are carousel notes and scripts from PS 243. Accompanying carousels are located in SG 17 Audio-visual Materials.

  • SERIES H - Staff Development (1969-1991)

    Includes training institute materials, Bank Street course materials, field logs and reports, classroom observation guides, visit schedules and Resource Center personnel records from PS 243.

  • SERIES I - Program Analysis (1970-1987)

    Contains PS 33 JDRP submission and Follow Through Study materials from PS 262 and PS 243, including drawings, behavior information, cohort test data and analysis. Many materials restricted due to privacy concerns.

SUBGROUP 12
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (1967-1987)
  • SERIES A - Correspondence and Notes (1969-1977)

    Contains correspondence and notes from 1969-1977.

  • SERIES B – Proposals (1969)

    Contains a proposal for the creation of a career opportunities program.

  • SERIES D - Parent and Community Programs (1974)

    Includes materials from Stanton School parents’ visit to Bank Street on February 6, 1974.

  • SERIES E - Curriculum Materials (1967-1968)

    Includes a curriculum guide for early school years and a reading inventory created by the Philadelphia school district.

  • SERIES G - Papers and Publications (1972)

    Contains “An adaptation of the Bank Street approach for the Elverson School,” a paper by Edyth Ingraham and Rosina Ward.

  • SERIES H - Staff Development ({1970-1980} 1987)

    Includes materials from teachers’ visits to Bank Street as well as institutes for staff from Stanton, Dunbar and Elverson Schools.

  • SERIES I - Program Analysis (1970)

    Contains Follow Through pilot study materials from Stanton School and Walter George Smith School, including photographs, drawings and information on student behavior during testing.

SUBGROUP 13
Plattsburgh, New York (1966-1992)
  • SERIES A - Correspondence and Notes ({1969-1980} 1991)

    Contains memoranda and correspondence.

  • SERIES B – Proposals (1975-1992)

    Contains general proposals and applications for funding the Plattsburgh Follow Through program.

  • SERIES C - Reports (1969-1983)

    Includes mid-year and final reports, sponsor activity reports and a historical report.

  • SERIES D - Parent and Community Programs (1970-1982)

    Contains parent surveys and questionnaires and Monty Street School parent materials.

  • SERIES E - Curriculum Materials (1970, 1987)

    Includes notes on Monty Street School teaching and a classroom music, movement and dramatics curriculum.

  • SERIES G – Papers and Publications (1970-1981)

    Includes Monty Street School newsletters and pamphlets and a draft of the kindergarten reading philosophy by the Plattsburgh City School District.

  • SERIES H - Staff Development (1969-1988)

    Includes field logs, teacher institute materials and schedules for both Monty Street School Follow Through staff visits to Bank Street and Dick Feldman visits to Monty Street.

  • SERIES I - Program Analysis (1966-1985)

    Contains tables, reports and analysis from the New York State Pupil Evaluation.

SUBGROUP 14
Rochester, New York (1969-1980)
  • SERIES A - Correspondence and Notes (1969-1970, 1980)

    Contains notes and correspondence.

  • SERIES D – Parent and Community Programs (1972-1976)

    Includes materials from parent workshops and institutes and visit schedules.

  • SERIES F - Evaluative Instruments (1972)

    Contains “How to Take a Test,” a publication of Rochester City School District Division of Instruction.

  • SERIES G - Papers and Publications (1974, 1980)

    Contains newsletters from 1974 and 1980.

  • SERIES H - Staff Development (1972-1974)

    Includes materials from mini-institutes and visit schedules.

  • SERIES I - Program Analysis (1980)

    Contains data and cover letter from Cohorts IV, V, VI.

SUBGROUP 15
Wilmington, Delaware (1969-1981)
  • SERIES D – Parent and Community Programs (1971-1976)

    Includes parent questionnaires, a description of sponsor services for the community and The Parent’s Role, published by the New Castle School District.

  • SERIES E - Curriculum Materials (1969-1975)

    Contains literature and reading curricula, including a working paper on reading, learning activities stimulated by literature, instructional procedures for a language-experience approach to reading and Fifty Ways to Make Books Popular.

  • SERIES G - Papers and Publications (1969-1981)

    Includes newsletters and a Wilmington School District Advisory Board handbook.

  • SERIES H - Staff Development (1970-1979)

    Includes field advisor trip logs, Wilmington Follow Through staff visit schedules and staff and Principals’ Institute materials. Also included are narratives of educational and cultural trip experiences.

  • SERIES I - Program Analysis (1977-1978)

    Contains individual child studies and a summary of Cohort V standardized test scores.

SUBGROUP 16
Audio-visual Materials
  • Scope and Contents Note

    Contains slides, 5″ film reels and audio cassettes. Some slides are contained in carousels, however most are loose. Images of children at sites as well as in classrooms at Bank Street’s School for Children are included. Many materials are unlabelled. The film reels primarily contain ‘play interviews’ with individual students conducted by Lorraine Smithberg. The audio recordings are of Follow Through staff discussing the role of the discussion task and also of individual child interviews.

Controlled Access Headings

  • Corporate Name(s)
    • Bank Street College of Education. Project Follow Through
    • Follow Through Program (U.S.)
  • Genre(s)
    • Administrative records
    • Audio visual materials
    • Correspondence
    • Instructional and educational works
    • Notes
    • Publications
    • Reports
    • School Records
  • Geographic Name(s)
    • Boulder (Colo.)
    • Brattleboro (Vt.)
    • Cambridge (Mass.)
    • Elmira (N.Y.)
    • Fall River (Mass.)
    • Honolulu (Hawaii)
    • Huntsville (Ala.)
    • Macon County (Ala.)
    • New Haven (Conn.)
    • New York (N.Y.)
    • Philadelphia (Pa.)
    • Plattsburgh (Pa.)
    • Rochester (N.Y.)
    • United States
    • Wilmington (Del.)
  • Personal Name(s)
    • Feldman, Richard
    • Gilkeson, Elizabeth C.
    • Klopf, Gordon John, 1917-
    • Smithberg, Lorraine
  • Subject(s)
    • Child development — New York (State) — New York
    • Child development — United States — History — 20th century
    • Compensatory education — United States
    • Early childhood education — United States — Administration
    • Education, Elementary — Research
    • Educators
    • Teachers colleges — New York (State)
    • Teachers — Training of — History
    • Teachers — Training of — New York (State) — New York