What is Parent Aware? education.state.mn.us 1 Voluntary rating tool Helps parents choose providers Helps providers grow & demonstrate quality

Why is this program needed? education.state.mn.us 2 96 percent of Minnesotans believe “parents should have access to the best available information to help them find quality places to prepare children for kindergarten According to a recent poll

Why is this program needed? education.state.mn.us 3 Children in rated programs make strong gains

Why is this program needed? education.state.mn.us 4 92 percent of providers/ early educators participating in Parent Aware pilot found it beneficial

education.state.mn.us 5 Parent Aware has changed Minnesota child care and early education for the better Why is this program needed?

Race to the Top education.state.mn.us 6 “More low-income families across the state will have access to high-quality child care and preschool programs. That's because Minnesota was one of nine states to win federal dollars for early learning programs.” —St. Paul Pioneer Press "Nine states will lead the way in transforming early learning programs and services from a patchwork of disconnected programs with uneven quality into integrated systems that truly and consistently prepare children for success in school and life.” —U.S. Secretary of Education, Arne Duncan

Quality Indicators make up the ratings education.state.mn.us 7 Measures the best practices which are most predictive of school readiness: Teaching and relationships Assessment of child progress Teacher training and education Physical health and well-being

What will the rating tell parents? education.state.mn.us 8 4 stars means program is achieving most to all best practices for preparing children for school.

Getting started: 3 pathways to rating education.state.mn.us 9 Options: Building Quality Parent Aware Accelerated Path

The program includes marketing support education.state.mn.us 10 Such as Marketing kit Banners Website

When will Parent Aware Ratings be available in my community? education.state.mn.us 11 Statewide in 2012 Current: –Minneapolis –St. Paul –Wayzata school district –Counties of Becker, Blue Earth, Clearwater, Hennepin, Itasca, Mahnomen, Nicollet and Ramsey counties Statewide by 2015 Child Care Head Start and School Readiness Programs

Early Childhood Scholarships will be made available to families in some communities through state funds and the Race to the Top Early Learning Challenge Grant. Scholarships must be used in a 3 or 4-star Parent Aware rated program. A family may choose to use their scholarship at your program if your program has a 3 or 4- star rating. Scholarships are limited in number and may not be available in every community. I’ve heard about scholarships for children. Will my program be able to have access to them? education.state.mn.us 12

The Accelerated Path to a 4 Star rating application can be found on pages 12 and 13 of the 2012 School Readiness Program Plan. Participating in Parent Aware is optional. To receive a 4 Star rating, you will need to show: 1.That you are using a curriculum aligned with the ECIPs 2.That you are using a Parent Aware approved assessment 3.That your lead teachers have received 8 hours of training in curriculum and 8 hours in assessment. Parent Aware Accelerated Path to Ratings Application education.state.mn.us 13

This section is similar to the Cover Sheet of the program plan. List each site where you offer classes or programming. If you have more than 10 sites, you can add more by hitting the “enter” key. Parent Aware Application Guidance education.state.mn.us 14

Parent Aware Application Guidance education.state.mn.us 15 Creative Curriculum is an example X X If you are not using a curriculum that has already been shown to be aligned with the ECIPs, complete this section. Teaching Strategies GOLD is an example of an approved assessment X Note: To be eligible for a Parent Aware 4 Star rating, you must be using an approved assessment tool. If you checked NO here, you are required to complete these two narrative questions (highlighted).

Parent Aware Application Guidance education.state.mn.us 16 The last piece of evidence required for a 4 Star rating is staff development. Your lead teachers need to have completed eight hours of training in curriculum and eight hours of training in assessment. If your teachers have completed this training, list their names and the names of the trainings. You will need to provide documentation of completion of the trainings. This documentation can be similar to what a teacher has to submit to the district relicensure committee. If your program maintains a detailed staff development log, this would also be acceptable.

Parent Aware Application Guidance education.state.mn.us 17 To be eligible for the accelerated path, your program must be required to follow School Readiness Program requirements. If you are using a curriculum that has already demonstrated alignment and an approved curriculum, submit a copy of their copyright pages. Also submit copies of your staff training documents. This application should be signed by the School Readiness coordinator and the SR supervisor (e.g. Community Ed director). One signature is sufficient if the coordinator and supervisor are the same person. Mail in application and supporting documents (address is below in notes). X

education.state.mn.us 18 Contact: Mike Brown EC Admin Wiki – PA Page For More Information: