The Preschool Initiative: The Three-Year Journey Michele Cheney PI Coordinator Michele.Cheney@escmail.org

Why did you select this session? Introductions Turn & Talk Name? What do you do? Why did you select this session?

Today’s Goals Share the work of the PI member states. Discuss the benefits of the PI work to other migrant programs/states. Solicit input from participants about their needs that might influence future PI work.

Preschoolinitiative.org

PI Goals http://www.preschoolinitiative.org/

Year 1 Coordination & Collaboration Conduct Town Hall Meetings Develop “Essential Steps in Early Learning: Coordination and Collaboration”

Town Hall Meetings Who would you invite? Who are the key stakeholders that also serve migrant preschool age students? What common topics/themes should be addressed? Why? What are the goals/outcomes of the meeting(s)? How would you organize the meeting(s)? Regional? State-wide?

Town Hall Roundtable Discussions Set A: The Word Gap Article found at: http://www.naeyc.org/tyc/article/the-word-gap Discussion Questions: What implications do these findings have on our work? What changes have already been put in place with services provided to kids/families based on these findings? What changes should we be looking to implement? How can the MEP support the work that the other providers are doing?

Town Hall Summary Reports http://www.preschoolinitiative.org/collaboration/

Essential Steps in Early Learning Coordination & Collaboration http://www.preschoolinitiative.org/collaboration/

Essential Steps in Early Learning Coordination & Collaboration Who do you currently coordinate and collaborate with? What are the benefits of expanding your coordination and collaboration efforts? How can you improve/increase your coordination and collaboration efforts?

Year 2 Materials & Resources Collect information on instructional materials and assessments Conduct Field Tests-strategic resource selection

Collected Information Instruction http://www.preschoolinitiative.org/curriculum-learningmaterials/

Collected Information Assessment http://www.preschoolinitiative.org/assessment/

Field Test Process & Forms Resource Selection Form & Sharing Call Implementation Rubric Feedback Form

Resource Selection Take a few minutes to complete the Resource Selectin Form for instructional materials/curriculum. Does it contain all the required components? What area(s) might you have to supplement?

Field Test Lessons Learned Program Preparation Allow ample time for program planning and for obtaining adequate resources and materials. Professional Development During the planning phase, more emphasis should be placed on adequate training of staff. Especially when new and/or unfamiliar curricula or assessments are being implemented.

Field Test Lessons Learned Instruction Hands-on and project-based activities are particularly effective with early learners. Pre-numeracy and math skills should be included more in summer instruction of preschool children. Staff reported that both children and their parents responded positively to math activities with manipulatives. Using a curriculum in a short term setting (summer) that was designed for a long term program creates challenges and issues with fidelity to the model.

Field Test Lessons Learned Assessment Obtaining/using assessment information to drive instruction is a challenge. Assessments are often difficult to administer-children may be distracted, confused or lack the background knowledge and/or language skills. Determining a child’s dominant language for assessment purposes can be difficult. Assessing in the appropriate language may be a challenge.

Field Test Lessons Learned Parent Engagement It is essential to provide parents with the resources, guidance, and the support they need to promote their child’s Kindergarten readiness. “We’re running only a 2-week summer program and the parents are working a lot. There’s no time for parent engagement.” What suggestions do you have for parent engagement activities?

Year 3 Building Capacity Case Studies MEP staff training modules Family Literacy Workshop

Case Study Examples FL district: GA district: Move from “migrant only” preschool classrooms to “blended” classrooms with migrant and non-migrant students Based on data where students in migrant only classrooms were underperforming GA district: Influx of preschool age migrant students & shortage of service opportunities Created a Fridays only site based service

Case Study Problem/issue to address? Solution implemented? Outcomes? Lessons learned?

Family Literacy Workshop Kindergarten readiness Language & literacy development Reading with kids Learning letter names and sounds Motivating kids

Family Literacy What do you want families to know/be able to do to prepare their children for school? How do you get them that information and/or those strategies/skills?

Modules Lesson Planning Developmental Milestones Working Effectively with Parents

Information Dissemination Clearinghouse Treasure Hunt Who are the 9 member states? What’s one resource found on the “Parent Engagement” page? What’s the “PI Spotlight” page all about? Which policy statement is of most interest to you?

Closing What one thing that was shared today is of most use to you? What is still needed?

Questions?