1 Core Pre-K Standards Review & Comment

Common Core Pre-K Standards Mounting evidence supports that a child’s earliest years, from birth to age eight, are the most crucial in developing mental capacity. Aligning Pre-K Standards with Common Core State Standards prepared for Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care by Hanover Research 2

Common Core Pre-K Standards: School Readiness School Readiness is a key concept in aligning Pre-K standards with elementary and secondary education standards since they can help measure important foundational skills for achievement in later grades Preschool standards through play based learning will ensure children are properly prepared to meet the later goals of K-12 performance standards Aligning Pre-K Standards with Common Core State Standards prepared for Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care by Hanover Research 3

Common Core Pre-K Standards: Focus on Mathematics/Literacy Math and literacy represent two areas in which a large achievement gap is usually evident between low- and middle-income children in later years. Supporting children’s achievement in these subjects during pre-K can help lessen this gap Aligning Pre-K Standards with Common Core State Standards prepared for Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care by Hanover Research 4

Common Core Pre-K Standards: Focus on Mathematics/Literacy Some scholars believe that a limited scope of mathematics and literacy has a negative effect on pre-kindergarten education. Research shows that school readiness depends on additional factors such as: Personal and social development Physical development Arts (creative development) However, a focus on early mathematics and literacy skills in preschool can predict later achievement in math and literacy as well as other disciplines! Aligning Pre-K Standards with Common Core State Standards prepared for Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care by Hanover Research 5

Common Core Pre-K Standards: Focus on Mathematics/Literacy Proper early mathematics instruction can help children develop: Curiosity, creativity and flexibility Positive attitude towards school and learning Literacy skills and language development Proper early literacy instruction can help children progress in: Social-emotional development Creativity Achievement in all other subjects Aligning Pre-K Standards with Common Core State Standards prepared for Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care by Hanover Research 6

Draft Common Core Standards for Pre-K: Background The Common Core Standards for ELA and Math will provide early education and care with achievement goals for older preschool children to obtain in ELA and Math (learning indicators) In Massachusetts + 4/2003 Preschool Guidelines + 1/2010 New Regulation for curriculum and progress reports + Professional Development for Workforce Based on Core Competencies + Programs engaged in QRIS improvement activities + Pre-Kindergarten Common Core Standards ELA and Math _________________________________________________________ ADD UP TO : Quality Settings Excellent Child Outcomes 7

8 Draft Common Core Pre-K Standards: Background ESE, EEC and some preschool experts collaborated on the development of Pre-K Core Standards in English Language Arts (ELA) and Math On October 12 th and October 19 th the respective Boards voted to solicit public comment The public comment period began on October 26 th and will end on December 3 rd

9 Common Core Pre-K Standards: Review & Comment Period ESE and EEC jointly held regional meetings across the state to gather public comment: 11 meetings held across the state with at least 2 held in each EEC region Meetings were well attended Over 550 people attended meetings to give comment statewide

10 Common Core Pre-K Standards: Review and Comment Period The draft Pre-K Standards were posted on the EEC website with a link to a survey on the ESE website Survey comment period will end on December 1 st 85 people have logged into the survey and have given comment What best describes your role?

Common Core Pre-K Standards: Review and Comment Period 11 Survey Question: What best describes your role? 50% of responses were from a preschool educator or an administrator

12 Common Core Pre-K Standards: Review and Feedback: Overall the Common Core Pre-K Standards in ELA and Math were well received: Work well with the preschool guidelines that programs have worked with since 2004 and like Simple and help simplify what programs should build into their curriculum in order to focus on achievement goals in ELA and Math Assist with communication between preschool and public kindergarten programs

13 Common Core Pre-K Standards: Questions and Implementation Challenges Q - How will the Common Core Standards be used? A - Standards will inform what resources are needed to support programs, children and their families A- Standards will inform what professional development is needed for the field Q - Will children be denied entrance to K based on not meeting the standards? A - Preschool standards should be used to help measure important foundation skills for achievement in later grades, but should never deny entry Q -How will EEC support implementation of the standards? A - Comprehensive training and professional support is needed to successfully implement the standards including the development of a solid and effective curriculum. Educators must have sufficient background in both math and English Language Arts in order to teach this in their curriculum. Responses are supported in the research: Aligning Pre-K Standards with Common Core State Standards prepared for Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care by Hanover Research

Common Core Pre-K Standards: Building the System and Supporting Programs 6 Regional Educator and Provider Support (EPS) Grantees to provide coaching and mentoring, competency development and intentional professional development 6 Regional EOE Readiness Centers to provide coordination between early education and care, elementary and secondary education and higher education EEC Initiatives to build the system and support the programs include: Core Competencies QRIS System Professional Qualification Registry Environmental Rating Scale (ERS) Training Course development Literacy Core Competencies Preschool Guidelines And more to come 14

Common Core Pre-K Standards: A Developmental Continuum “ A developmental continuum of standards, curriculum and assessments, extending from the early years into later schooling, can support better transitions from infant/toddler care through preschool programs to kindergarten and into the primary grades as teacher work within a consistent framework across educational settings” NAEYC Aligning Pre-K Standards with Common Core State Standards prepared for Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care by Hanover Research 15