The Top Three Things You Need to Know About Quality Preschool

1. The Top Three Things You Need to Know About Quality Preschool IASB Fiscal Conference July 16, 2008 Lou Ann DeMarie, Project DirectorIowa School Boards Foundation

2. The Top 3 (well, 12) things you need to know about Quality Preschool Purposes – overview in the areas of: • Collaboration • Finance • Quality • Role of the Board …as they relate to planning, implementing, supporting & monitoring a quality preschool program.

3. The Top 3 in Quality Preschool Audience – role groups Where are you at in terms of preschool? Please share questions, thoughts, etc. But first – taking stock of your needs:

4. CommunityCollaboration

5. The Top 3 in Collaboration #1 – Start Now! More time - better connections Long lasting & unanticipated benefits Not just a “half-to-do” Meaningful relationships lead to better programs for children & families

6. The Top 3 in Collaboration #2 – Involve parents & other stakeholders meaningfully Use many different methods Helps develop trusting relationships Seek + use real input = A program that meets parent/child needs (not district needs) Read & use the rubric!

7. The Top 3 in Collaboration #3 – Continue Collaboration Efforts Shouldn’t end with grant application Provides an effective process to support & monitor the program Builds trust & provides for critical, ongoing communication & problem-solving ISBF Collaboration Tools

8. Preschool Finance

9. The Top 3 in PreK Finance #1 – PreK is not a $ making venture Start-up costs are high Most likely you’ll need additional funds State dollars – establish and maintain the preschool program State PreK – not a funding stream that will boost or rescue your district budget

10. The Top 3 in PreK Finance #2 – Get to know the issues first! Learn about PreK before you plan your budget PreK has specific needs different than K-12 Avoids unanticipated costs Collaboration a benefit – experts at the table can prevent problems later

11. The Top 3 in PreK Finance #3 – Decide early: All day or Part-day? Study the big picture first: Funding streams – Empowerment, etc. Services – transportation, etc. All day difficult to sustain w/out additional funds Cost benefit analysis – how to best serve kids w/out straining the budget

12. ISBF PreK Budget Tool www.ia-sb.orgunder the early childhood & school finance sections

13. Ensuring Quality

14. The Top 3 in Quality #1 – “If you aren’t going to implement a quality program – don’t bother.” “Quality is more than putting a bunch of little chairs in a room and calling it good.” To achieve desired outcomes – must have quality components Administrator knowledgeable about PreK is essential – to support & monitor – to ensure quality

15. The Top 3 in Quality #2 – Little children are giant learners Have high expectations (but not K-12…) Young children have the capacity to learn – but only given the opportunity Critical time for development – capitalize! Quality PreK: busy, places – may look messy but are actually well-planned, highly structured learning environments

16. The Top 3 in Quality #3 – Program standards aren’t enough to ensure quality! Brand new research on state-funded PreK Program standards are critical Not enough to ensure desired learning outcomes will be achieved Where the rubber hits the road – interaction between adult & child

17. The Top 3 in Quality #3 – Program standards aren’t enough to ensure quality! Studies: gains were associated w/teacher-child interaction – not program standards Implication: quality professional development that targets classroom assessment data linked to student outcomes CLASS – Classroom Assessment Scoring System New ISBF publications on Quality PreK

18. The Board’s Role

19. The Top 3 – Board’s Role #1 – Get clear about your expectations Learn together – why PreK is important Dialogue about where you stand together Decide what is important – commitment follows shared understandings Prioritized, meaningful expectations will effectively guide the work of the district

20. The Top 3 – Board’s Role #2 – Advocacy is essential Consistent messages are key The “face” of the preschool program Sharing expectations, why this is important, how it will be supported etc. Board, superintendent, business manager – are all district level leaders and should carry the same messages to the public

21. The Top 3 – Board’s Role #3 – Create Conditions for Success Provide a variety of supports Collaboration – link to the community Being open to new ideas Seeking funds – blending funding streams Ensuring parents are involved – home visits, transition activities, mileage, etc.

22. Iowa School Boards Foundation How may we help you? Collaboration – planning & support Legislation updates & advocacy Research & Information Board conversations/workshops Questions? Please call!

23. Providing Quality Preschool All children benefit from quality early learning experiences. Working together, we can make sure all children get what they all deserve – a quality early childhood education.

24. Thank you & please stay in touch! • Lou Ann DeMarie – ISBFldemarie@ia-sb.org; (515) 247-7064 • ISBF Toolkit – www.ia-sb.org • Classroom Assessment Scoring System (CLASS) – http://classobservation.com/