Ready to Grow… Ready to Learn… Ready to Succeed Kentucky’s Plan for Kindergarten Readiness October 2012

Quality early care and education programs improve outcomes for a lifetime

Critical Benchmarks School Readiness Early Grade Reading Proficiency Middle Grade Success On-time high school graduation Completion of college or Advanced Training Metro United Way 2011 Health & physical development Language & literacy development Successful early childhood transitions Social, emotional & intellectual developmen t Research-based components: Community populations of special concern Children from low-income families

Why are the early years so important? The transition from primary grades to intermediate grades Learn to Read Read to Learn Pre-K to third grade 4 th grade and up “ Learning to read by the end of third grade is the most important predictor of success for children. If children have not learned to read by that time, they will be unable to read to learn in the upper elementary and secondary grades.” Terry Holliday, KY Education Commissioner

Early Childhood Advisory Council (ECAC) Timeline KERA Governor’s Task Force ECAC Head Start Reauthorization (2007) Created the opportunity for to form a state Early Childhood Advisory Council Governors Task Force on Early Childhood Development & Education A 28 member task force makes eight recommendations for early childhood in Kentucky Early Childhood Advisory Council (ECAC) Governor creates the 26 member council to promote program accountability and provide guidance that affects Kentucky children and families Head Start Act KIDS NOW KIDS NOW Kentucky Education Reform Act – Created State- Funded Preschool program Kentucky Invests in Developing Success – Created The Early Childhood Development Authority. Commited 25% of tobacco settlement to Early Childhood

Task Force Common Definition of “School Readiness” Kindergarten Readiness Assessment Governance Model for Early Childhood Increase Collaboration Distribute Early Learning Standards Model Curriculum Framework Model Curriculum Framework Increase Participation in STARS Strengthen Early CECCs Governor’s Task Force on Early Childhood Development & Education Recommendations

What is the role of the Early Childhood Advisory Council (ECAC) Promote the vision for Kentucky’s early childhood system Advocate for improved quality of early childhood services Promote the definition of school readiness and expand its use With KDE, implement a common statewide screening tool to assess kindergarten readiness Increase collaboration and cross- system cooperation

ECAC Workgroups Assessment Community Engagement Community Collaboration Data Systems Professional Development Program Investment STARS for KIDS NOW

A Framework For Success Improving School Readiness Entire Community Improving Environments Supporting Families Providing Data Improving Environments Supporting Families Providing Data STARS Participation Quality Workforce Ensuring Quality Learning Environments Babies are born Healthy Enhancing Access to Services Opportunities For Shared Learning Materials and Activities Access to Screening Continuous Assessment Data Sharing and Training

School readiness = Ready to Grow…Ready to Learn…Ready to Succeed The five developmental areas for school readiness are: Approaches to learning Social and emotional development Health and physical well being Cognitive and general knowledge Language and communication development

Common Kindergarten Screener BRIGANCE® Kindergarten Screener will be used by all Kindergarten programs 109 districts implemented the screen in 2012 voluntarily Participation will be required beginning in the 2013 school year 704 KAR 5:070 provides guidance in the administration and use of data Administered within 15 calendar days before the first instructional day and no later than the thirtieth instructional day

What’s Next: Community Profiles Screener results –composite screener score –results in each domain –participation rate and number screened –county score and state score –scores by target population Prior settings and dosage where available System of Care –STARS-rated centers, –HANDS, First Steps, Pre-K, Demographics Health - low birth weight rates, General Information Contact information for local CECC

“ “ “ “ “ “ CECC Brief History … a vehicle for bringing together many community members to support issues of importance to children and families. … addresses the unique needs and strengths of local communities related to early childhood. “ “

Community Early Childhood Councils (CECCs) make it happen at the local level! School District Family Resource Centers Head Start/ Early Head Start Resource & Referral Agency Early Intervention Cooperative Extension United Way/Success by 6 Child Care Public Library Regional Training Centers Community Action Agency Health care professionals/ health department College or tech schools Parents/Foster parents Government Early childhood advocates

Forming a New Vision … revitalize Community Early Childhood Councils “ “ “ “... increase collaboration across the state “ “ “ “... Continue momentum, build capacity and promote participation “ “

Forming a New Vision Listening to councils COMMON VISION RIGHT MEMBERSHIP LEADERSHIP GOALS RESULTS DRIVEN What makes a council succeed?

Priority #1: School Readiness Changing the community conversation COMMON VISION Every Kentucky child will enter school ready to succeed. Every parent will know what school readiness looks like and what they can do with their child to assure their success Every community will understand that it takes all of us to get this work done.

bornlearning © Academies Helps parents prepare their child for kindergarten Six month program involving one night after school each month Partnership with Family Resource Centers, Governor’s Office of Early Childhood, Prichard Committee, and United Way of Kentucky Expansion funded by Toyota 10 schools in more for next four years

How you should get involved: Support bornlearning © Academies Talk to parents about early childhood development Get to know and partner with your Community Early Childhood Council Promote Kindergarten Readiness Screening Collect and share data with parents and others Support quality early childhood programs Increase parent awareness about STARS

Thanks! You make the difference! Terry S. Tolan