New study validates Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities’ Prime Time program as national model for family engagement and literacy success  

Written By Alicia Vial

Five-year evaluation confirms Prime Time Preschool as a vital component in Louisiana’s rising literacy rankings; participating children outperform peers by significant margins

NEW ORLEANS— In celebration of Louisiana Literacy Day, the Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities (LEH) announced the results of a landmark five-year study proving that its Prime Time program is a catalyst for improving early literacy and school readiness. The findings, released today during a press conference at the Rosa F. Keller Library and Community Center, validate the Louisiana-born program as a premier, "best-in-class" national model for family engagement.

“Programs like LEH's Prime Time show what’s possible when we invest not just in our schools, but in our families,“ said Gov. Jeff Landry. “Strengthening literacy at home is key to setting our children up for success, and efforts like this are helping move Louisiana in the right direction.”  

The study, funded by Baptist Community Ministries (BCM), analyzed data from nearly 1,000 children  participating in the free Prime Time Preschool program using Teaching Strategies GOLD® assessment data. The results are definitive: children who participate in Prime Time consistently finish preschool significantly ahead of their peers, particularly in early literacy and foundational math while also contributing cognitive skills (such as attention, persistence and problem solving) that contribute to broader school readiness. In practical terms, Prime Time participation is equivalent to moving a child from the 50th percentile to the 70th percentile in core developmental areas.

"For decades, the Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities has been the steward of Louisiana’s stories, but today we are proud to be recognized as a national leader in how those stories are used to transform early education," said Miranda Restovic, president and executive director of the LEH. "As Louisiana’s pre-K to 12th-grade rankings have risen from 49th to 37th in the nation, Prime Time has served as a vital component of that collective progress. This landmark study confirms that our family-focused approach is a proven blueprint for the entire country."

Since 1991, Prime Time has grown from a local pilot into a celebrated national affiliate network, with programs now implemented in states including Nebraska, Washington, Kentucky, Georgia, New Jersey, Delaware and Florida. The program was recently selected by the Library of Congress as the 2025 Literacy Awards American Prize recipient for making significant and measurable contributions to increasing literacy levels in the U.S. 

The program’s unique methodology— which brings young children and their caregivers together for shared meals, guided story reading, discussion and play-based learning—addresses the home literacy environment, one of the strongest predictors of long-term academic success. Using beautifully illustrated, award-winning books with culturally diverse stories and themes, trained facilitators read aloud and then lead discussions and interactive activities that promote school readiness. By reinforcing the bond between caregiver and child through critical thinking, Prime Time acts as a structured bridge between the classroom and the home.

“Prime Time is delivering real results for children and families. It’s a powerful example of what’s possible when you invest in both children and the adults who support them,” said Erika Wright, Vice President of Grants at BCM. “This is the kind of effort that not only improves outcomes today, but helps communities build stronger, more equitable futures over time.”

Ways to participate in Prime Time

  • In-person, fall Prime Time program locations around the state will be announced June 1. Families are encouraged to visit www.primetimefamily.org and sign up to be notified when the programs are posted. Families interested in receiving a Prime Time Box, an asynchronous, home-based version of the program, can visit the website to find a distribution location.

  • Community organizationswithin Prime Time’s home state of Louisiana are awarded grants through LEH to fund the implementation of reading programs in their communities. Organizations interested in bringing Prime Time programs to their community should contact primetime@leh.org.

  • Educators interested in bringing Prime Time programs into the classroom should contact primetime@leh.org. Prime Time is an approved provider of Family Engagement Literacy Support by the Louisiana Department of Education.

To read the full Reading, Relationships, and Readiness: Evidence from the Prime Time Preschool Program study, visit www.primetimefamily.org.

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About Prime Time, Inc.
Prime Time, Inc. offers a set of unique, humanities‐focused and outcomes‐based programs designed to engage new and underserved children and families. Prime Time programs are proven to generate long‐term improvements in family engagement and student academic achievement. All Prime Time based programs offer partner sites such as libraries, schools, museums and other community service agencies research‐based initiatives that directly engage children, parents, teachers, educational administrators and the community in high‐quality family‐focused learning experiences. Learn more at www.primetimefamily.org

About Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities
The Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities is a non‐profit organization dedicated to providing educational opportunities to all residents of the state. Guided by the vision that everyone can realize their full potential through the humanities, LEH partners with communities, institutions and individuals to provide grant‐supported outreach programs, literacy initiatives for all ages, publications, film and radio documentaries, museum exhibitions, public lectures, library projects, 64 Parishes magazine and other diverse public humanities programming. For more information, visit www.leh.org.

About Baptist Community Ministries
Baptist Community Ministries (BCM) is a 29-year-old private Christian foundation providing philanthropic services and promoting the health and well-being of our community members in the Greater New Orleans area. BCM partners with local nonprofits and other organizations to build a healthier community in the areas of Health, Education, and Public Safety and has awarded over $267 million in grants since its inception. In addition, BCM provides direct services through two operating divisions – Chaplaincy Services and Congregational Wellness. By doing so, BCM is able to extend its reach deeper into the community to help those in need. Learn more at www.bcm.org. Follow us on social at @bcmnola.‍ ‍

Alicia Vial

Alicia Vial is a New Orleans native with more than a decade of experience elevating client stories and leading crisis response. As the senior director of strategy, Alicia acts as a leader within the Gambel Communications team ensuring each agency team member is positioned to deliver strategic public relations services that meet the highest standards of the industry. In addition to supporting the agency’s long-term business growth and development, she coordinates day-to-day account services and oversees strategic direction while staying abreast of best practices and industry trends to provide innovative solutions to meet client’s needs.

Before joining Gambel Communications, Alicia served as the communications director for the Louisiana SPCA, the oldest and largest animal welfare organization in Louisiana that impacts more than 74,000 animals per year. During her nearly eight-year tenure, Alicia oversaw numerous crises, served on national communication taskforces, oversaw all aspects of internal and external relations and worked alongside the development department to raise critical funding. Prior to that, she worked in the fast-paced New Orleans hospitality industry focusing on digital public relations for multiple hotels.

Alicia is a member of the Public Relations Association of Louisiana (PRAL), Southern Public Relations Federation (SPRF), a board member of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) New Orleans Chapter and a member of the New Orleans Regional Leadership Institute. An accredited public relations practitioner (APR), Alicia is also certified in crisis communications, organizational leadership, content marketing and social media.

A well respected and trusted public relations practitioner, Alicia has been recognized by SPRF as a ‘Senior Practitioner of the Year’. Dubbed early on in her career as one to watch, she also received the ‘Rising Star’ award by PRAL and was profiled in St. Charles Avenue Magazine as part of their Young Bloods series. Most recently, she was recognized at PRSA’s annual Fleurish Awards and received four Awards of Excellence for her work along with the ‘Plate Spinner’ award for her efforts on the board of directors for the chapter.

An LSU graduate, Alicia received a bachelor's degree in mass communications with a concentration in public relations and minors in business administration and leadership development. She is a frequent speaker and presenter on public relations topics, most recently presenting at the Jefferson Economic Development Commission and SPRF annual conference.

When Alicia is not at work, you can find her at the ballpark with her three boys or cheering on the Tigers in Death Valley.

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