This research was commissioned and funded by the Board of Project L.O.V.E. through a grant from the National Literacy Secretariat. Members of the Board took part in a pilot survey and they were supportive and interested throughout the research process. We would like to thank them. We are grateful as well for the support of the Eastern and Western School Districts and all who participated and assisted.
The study was made possible by the many volunteers and classroom teachers who took part in surveys and focus groups, the principals of elementary schools who welcomed us and allowed us to interview them and the School Board and P.E.I.T.F. officials who spoke with us. At the heart of the study are the dozens of children who met with us and enthusiastically shared their ideas and feelings. They reminded us of the essential purposes of Project L.O.V.E. and of our own work. Their enthusiasm for Project L.O.V.E. and their stories and drawings gave us great pleasure.
We acknowledge all these participants for their willingness to participate, the time they took out of their busy schedule and the many ideas they shared. We are grateful, also, to our two research assistants - Riki Sulis, who made a wealth of data manageable and readable and, Alaina Roach, who worked with us throughout the data processing stage of the study and kept us organized magnificently. We also want to thank, Sandra McDonald, Secretary in the Faculty of Education who was very helpful in preparing the final report. One person needs to be singled out. Mary Burke, Executive Director of Project L.O.V.E., has been especially supportive (and patient), demonstrating once again her passion and commitment to Project L.O.V.E.