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virginia’s early virginia’s early childhood childhood initiativesinitiatives

Presentation for Part C Network :: September 19, 2008

Kathy Glazer :: Office of Early Childhood Development

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Timeline of Governor’s EC Initiatives2005

Early Learning CouncilVirginia Early Childhood Foundation2006Start Strong CouncilGovernor’s Working Group on EC Initiatives2007Home Visiting ConsortiumVirginia’s Plan for

Smart Beginnings2008Office of Early Childhood Development

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2005 Early Learning Council

5 goal areas comprehensive prenatal to 5

2 key recommendations to Gov. Warner:- non profit grantmaking foundation as

presence in private sector: VECF

- multi-agency entity focused on EC in Governor’s office

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2006 Governor’s Working Group established by Gov.

Kaine in Secretary of Education’s office, including: Secretaries of Finance, Education, SHHR, Commerce

and Trade Commissioners of VDH, DMHMRSAS, DMAS and DSS Superintendent of Public Instruction Governor’s Policy Director Heads of VCCS, SCHEV, VEDP Added: HS Collaboration and Private Partners

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2006-07 GWG Primary Initiatives:

Alignment Project

Home Visiting Consortium

Virginia’s Plan for Smart Beginnings

Start Strong

- recommendation for comprehensive governance structure at state level

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Alignment Project: Alignment Project: setting the stage setting the stage

Confluence of factors… yet another round of legislation to undermine

child care regulations new Governor with school readiness as

priority, with an emphasis on mixed delivery

preschool, merging child care culture with public school culture

underlying characteristic: Virginia's one-term-Governor rule

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School readiness:School readiness:balance and alignment for balance and alignment for

successsuccessHorizontal Alignment

standards curriculum assessment teacher competencies

Vertical Alignment HomeChild CarePre-KKindergarten

From Sharon Lynn Kagan, National Center for Children and Families, Teachers College, Columbia University.

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the alignment the alignment project:project:productsproducts

Milestones of Child Development

Competencies for Early Childhood Professionals

Quality Rating and Improvement System

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the alignment project:the alignment project:initial approachinitial approach

identification of multi-disciplinary team

vigorous activity and ambitious timeline

emphasis on birth to K continuum and multiple domains

joyful and respectful approach by team

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the alignment the alignment project:project:

team membersteam members Departments of Education, Social Services,

Mental Health, Health early intervention and special education Head Start United Way/Success by 6 community colleges and 4-year colleges representatives from the National Women’s

Law Center and NCCIC

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process for developing process for developing the the MilestonesMilestones and and

CompetenciesCompetencies research and review of other states' initiatives development of documents multidisciplinary perspectives independent readers/reviewers regional focus groups/feedback sessions

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the alignment the alignment project:project:principlesprinciples Families are the first and most influential teachers of

young children. Every child develops at an individual rate, possesses

unique characteristics, and exhibits an array of talents and interests regardless of family background, culture, special need, experience, or ability.

Optimal learning occurs when we recognize that all aspects of a child’s development are inextricably interrelated and nurtured through a combination of active exploration, play, social interactions, and thoughtfully planned activities that capitalize on children’s natural tendency to seek even higher levels of challenge to master.

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the alignment the alignment project:project:

principles, contd.principles, contd. Early learning experiences draw upon and enhance the connections between families, early childhood programs and services, schools and the community.

Quality early learning experiences for children are guided by research-based knowledge and practice.

All children are capable and competent learners, and they learn best when they are included with their peers.

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strategies for early strategies for early learning guidelineslearning guidelines

articulate optimal continuum of a child's skill development: in all domains infants, toddlers, preschoolers

in one set of standards integrate with existing

state preschool standards and Head Start

Intended audience: parents and families teachers, directors, and

administrators child care providers early intervention home visitors trainers and educators

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the alignment the alignment project:project:

milestones of child milestones of child developmentdevelopment

skills continuum for children ages birth to K and strategies for adults to support

includes six domains of child development: social and emotional development approaches to learning language and literacy cognition and general knowledge fine arts physical development and health

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the alignment project:the alignment project:competencies for EC competencies for EC

professionalsprofessionals articulate skills, knowledge

areas, and competencies for adults working with young children levels of mastery/emphasis instructive for professional

development career lattice

Intended audience: providers, practitioners, and

teachers directors and program

administrators trainers and training organizations higher education faculty, staff, and

administrators federal, state, and local agencies professional development efforts

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the alignment project:the alignment project:competencies for EC competencies for EC

professionalsprofessionals

includes eight core content areas: Health, Safety, and Nutritional Practices Understanding Child Growth and Development Appropriate Classroom Observation &

Assessment Partnering with Families and Communities Learning Environment Effective Interactions Program Management Teacher Qualifications & Professional

Development

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the alignment the alignment project:project:

program standards – QRISprogram standards – QRIS Quality Rating and

Improvement System: opportunity to develop EC program standards with focus on quality and accountability.

Market-based approach that supports continuous quality improvement in early childhood settings

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the alignment the alignment project:project:

virginia’s star quality virginia’s star quality initiativeinitiative 4 standard areas, based on research linking

these measures to positive child outcomes: education, qualifications, & training; interactions (CLASS); staff to child ratio & group size; learning environment and instructional practices

(Environmental Rating Scales).

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QRIS Pilot Years 1 and 2 Community coalitions across the state

support diverse EC programs serving toddlers and preschoolers with assessment, mentoring, and supports

State hub trains raters and mentors on CLASS and ERS, inclusive practice.

Partnership among OECD, Va. Early Childhood Foundation, Child Development Resources (year 1), Special Education and T/TAC (year 2).

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2008 Creation of Office of Early Childhood

Development Virginia team at Harvard Symposium

- science of early childhood development

- impact on policy

- clear recognition and commitment to integrated and comprehensive

effort for young children

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OECD priority objectives

High Quality pre-K and child care

- QRIS Integration of health initiatives with OECD Comprehensive, coordinated professional

development system Integrated data initiative

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for more for more information…information…

Kathy Glazer, Director – Office of Early Childhood Development kathy.glazer@dss.virginia.gov (804) 726-7124