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Early Childhood Education PLC Year 1, Cohort 1, Session I May 18, 2012

Presented by:Judy Sanchez, Project Director IIIJacqueline Lopez, Consultant IILos Angeles County Office of Education

 

The Los Angeles County Early Care and Education Workforce Consortium is funded by First

5 LA and Los Angeles Universal Preschool

 

+Who’s in the Room?

Introductions

So, what brings you here?

+Video

Early Learning Matters

+Outcomes

Clearly define the goals of the ECEPLC project.

Build commitment for Early Childhood Education and collaboration by establishing a shared vision for early childhood education.

Provide rationale for establishing high quality early childhood programs and strong articulation from preschool to transitional kindergarten and beyond.

Examine key issues and considerations in planning a quality transitional program.

+Mission of ECEPLC Project

This is a multi-year professional development opportunity supporting elementary principals and transitional kindergarten (TK) teachers with the implementation of developmentally appropriate TK programs and the development of Early Childhood Education Professional Learning Communities. It offers a model for collaboration among preschool educators and transitional kindergarten teachers to support the articulation and alignment of preschool through transitional kindergarten and beyond.

+Shared Vision Activity

+ECEPLC Project Goals

Support principals and teachers in the implementation of high quality, developmentally appropriate transitional kindergarten programs.

Promote quality early learning practice among preschool and transitional kindergarten teachers.

Increase collaboration among preschool and transitional kindergarten teachers through the implementation of a site-based ECE Professional Learning Community.

+Guiding Principles

Support continuous learning and improvement

Promote spirit of collaboration

Strengthen and retain professionals in early childhood education.

+Take a Look at Early Brain Development Research

+Emerging Trends in Early Care and Education

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Pathway to Student Success

“To ensure that all children fulfill their potential as individuals and citizens, we must re-imagine public education as a system that begins not with kindergarten, but with quality pre-k, and builds on that foundation to raise performance in later grades.”

+Blueprint for Great Schools

“The California Early Learning Advisory Council has been established to develop a comprehensive system and policy plan for early learning and preschool services in California, begin coordination of standards and an early childhood data system that connects with K-12, and work toward developing a coherent preparation, training and professional development system.”

+Smooth Transitions to Kindergarten

“Districts must consider what strategies can be put in place to encourage communication and partnerships between preschool and kindergarten staff. Research also indicates even greater value in developing strategies that link preschool not only to kindergarten but through third grade.”

+Preschool – Grade 3 Alignment

“Adopt a more expansive view of the first stage of education as a period extending from pre-kindergarten through third grade…Experts are building a growing body of evidence that shows children reach higher achievement levels in programs with PK-3 components.”

+ECE = Student Achievement

“More and more school districts are viewing early childhood education and preschool as a critical component in their overall plans to raise student achievement”

+Activity

Consider the following:1. Key Features of PreK – 3rd Grade Aligned

Programs2. Early Childhood Education

Recommendations (Blue Print for Great Schools)

3. Best Practices of Hacienda-La Puente USD

Determine what features or practices are already in place at your school/district site.

+Key Features of PreK-3rd Early Education Programs High-quality, voluntary universal pre-K for all 3- and 4-year olds

Full-day kindergarten

Qualified teachers with both a bachelor’s degree and specialized training in how young children learn

Opportunities for teachers to share data, planning, and professional development across grade levels

Strong leadership committed to providing children with a seamless educational experience

Opportunities for parent and community engagement

Quality, developmentally appropriate curriculum and standards that are aligned from pre-K through third grade.

Shared accountability, between preschools, public schools, parents, communities, for ensuring that all children read and do math on grade level by the end of 3rd grade.

+A Blueprint For Great Schools

ECE Key Recommendations:

Develop an infrastructure for birth to grade three system

Develop an early childhood data system linked to K-12 system

Improve pre- and in-service training for early childhood teachers and classified staff

Design and fund universal transitional kindergarten programs

+Local Efforts Lead the WaySnapshot: Hacienda-La Puente USD

Integrated preschool classrooms into 22 elementary schools

Serves 1,100 preschoolers through a combination of options

Preschool portable trailers located next to kindergarten classrooms

Preschool and kindergarten teachers meet regularly (monthly or every two months) to plan activities and discuss curriculum alignment

Shared or cooperative activities: vegetable garden, field trips and other joint projects, such as pairing 2nd/3rd grade students with preschool students for reading activities.

+What road sign best represents your school in the planning and implementation of PreK and beyond continuum of learning?

+Kindergarten Readiness Act of 2010

Senate Bill 1381 changes California’s entry-age for kindergarten from five years of age, and for first grade from six years of age, by December 2nd to September 1st. The new age requirement will be phased-in over three years beginning in the 2012-2013 school year.

+What is Transitional Kindergarten?

Critical reform that bridges the path from preschool to K-12.

Gives children the gift of time to fully develop and succeed in kindergarten.

Offer developmentally appropriate curriculum that is aligned to preschool foundations and kindergarten standards.

Taught by credentialed teachers with early learning experience.

Part of the public school system.

+Transitional Kindergarten

+Planning for TK ProgramHow to get started?

+Transitional TK Planning Guide

Program Structure and Design – Overview

Planning Effective Instruction, Curriculum and Assessment (Day 2-4)

+Program Structure and Design

Create a TK communication team

Define the TK message for the district

Determine what funds are available for TK

Identify the facilities that are available for TK classrooms

Design the organization and structure of the TK program

Determine staffing and professional development needs.

Plan for articulation for PreK – Transitional Kindergarten and Beyond.

+Communication

Set up a multiple stakeholders group and meet regularly as TK programs are being developed and implemented.

Meet with preschool programs to establish mutual understanding of Transitional Kindergarten.

Create and identify a variety of ways to communicate with parents, teachers, school staff, board members, union representatives and other community members.

Draft a variety of letters: information letters, TK enrollment forms, acceptance form, withdrawal form, continuance form

+TK Message – Outreach Material

“Main message to the community should be that the two-year program provides the opportunity for young children to be successful in school and that it will build a solid academic foundation by providing developmentally appropriate experiences.”

+Outreach Strategies

Parent Orientations Media Outreach – Parent Help Line, Web site

links Brochures, fliers, banners Training on TK for central office enrollment

and school staff Small group/one-on-one conversations Testimonies from TK parent

ambassadors/champions Classroom tours Resource table at district/school events http://www.preschoolcalifornia.org/get-involve

d/events/2011/save-the-date-transitional.html

+Funding

Districts will receive the same California average daily attendance (ADA) rate of funding that is provided for kindergarten.

ADA will be based on the number of children enrolled in transitional kindergarten and kindergarten.

Children participating in TK are also included in state and federally funded programs that districts receive for kindergarten such as K-3 Class Size Reduction, Title I, Economic Impact Aid and any other revenue that applies to kindergarten students.

Private grants for early learning (www.donorschoice.org)

+Staffing and Professional Development Needs

TK Teacher Selection:

Ideally has early learning experience

Understands child development and developmentally appropriate practices.

Builds trust, responsive, encourages and challenges children cognitively

Refines his/her practices through ongoing professional development

Willing to serve as mentor or lead teacher who supports new teachers and provides helpful feedback

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Top Quality Teachers

• Caring• Nurturing• Flexible • Hard-Working• Energetic• ECE Knowledgeable

To work in Transitional Kindergarten classrooms.

+Facilities & Materials

TK facilities must be the same as what is required for kindergarten.

Play yard design must provide a variety of activities for development of large motor skills and restrooms need to be self-contained within classroom or kindergarten complex.

Outdoor areas are extensions of the classroom.

Developmentally appropriate materials easily accessible to students.

Classroom materials reflect all cultures, families and communities of students.

+Organization and Structure

Classroom Environment

Environment is nurturing and engaging

Well established classroom routines and structure

Small and large group activities

Students actively engaged in learning; creative, imaginative, and challenging learning tasks

Learning centers and lessons activities encourage inquiry and exploration

Rich oral language experience is provided

Balance between student- and teacher-directed activities

+Plan for Articulation

“It is in the best interest of children if each group of adults (private/public ECE providers and transitional kindergarten) that care for and educate them over time communicates with each other to produce common goals and accurate information about past and future practices.”

+Resources

Transitional Kindergarten (TK) Planning Guide

TK digital library (www.tkcalifornia.org)

Preschool California (www.preschoolcalifornia.org)

TK statewide monthly calls - Every third Tuesday 3:00 – 4:00 p.m.

Preschool Learning Foundations & Frameworks, Volume I & II

K-Content Standards & Common Core Content Standards

NAEYC: Development Appropriate Practices

http://fcd-us.org/our-work/prek-3rd-education

+Training Evaluation

Please complete training evaluation form.

Share with table partners two things that you learned from today’s session.

+Operational Issues

Attendance is Important.

Review Training Dates (May-June 2012) Make-up Sessions (Summer or Webinar)

Identify Training Dates for Year 2

Define key roles & responsibilities of ECEPLC consultants

Discuss Reimbursement Process for Sub-Pay

Identify best mode of communication. Verify and authorize distribution of Cohort 1 Directory

Complete Release Form