Federal Developments in Early Childhood Data

1. Federal Developments in Early Childhood Data SLDS P-20 Conference November 16, 2010 Washington, DC

2. Early Learning and Development Inter-Departmental Initiative: Data Systems Study Group Amy Madigan HHS/ASPE Jennifer Tschantz ED

3. ELDII • September 2009 – HHS and ED together announced the formation of six ELDII Study Groups • Program Standards • Early Learning Standards and Assessment • Workforce and Professional Development • Family Engagement • Health Promotion • Data Systems • Comprised of federal staff across multiple agencies in HHS and ED including offices responsible for administering federal early childhood programs • Study groups were charged with • Developing collaborative relationships across federal offices; and • Building internal capacity and knowledge around six components of high-quality State systems of early learning and development.

4. Data Systems Study Group • Mission – To support the development, implementation, use and sustainability of coordinated early childhood data systems by: • Gathering information about the state of the field and the state of the States • Identifying strategies to implement at the federal level • Working Definition of “Early Childhood Data Systems” – • The policies, processes and structures used to coordinate and connect administrative and other sources of data across early childhood programs to support States in the provision of high-quality programs; promotion of healthy development and positive outcomes for children (birth to age 8) and families; and creation of successful transitions to school.

5. Activities of the Data Systems Study Group • Briefings on federal initiatives, grant programs, and demonstration projects • Statewide Longitudinal Data Systems Grants – IES/ED • Child Care Research Capacity Grants – ACF/HHS • National Education Data Model – IES/ED • Met with experts and States • Early Childhood Data Collaborative • MD, IL, CT, MA, PA, OR, FL, SC… and others… • Session at Early Childhood 2010 Conference • Developed a list of critical characteristics of a high quality early childhood data system

6. Key Challenges Identified by the Data Systems Study Group • Funding, funding, funding… • Understanding HIPPA and FERPA regulations • Obtaining and linking Head Start data • Utilizing unique child identifiers • Differences across federal offices in reporting requirements, data elements and data definitions

7. SLDS P-20 Conference Institute For Education Sciences Council of Chief State School Officers November 16, 2010 Susan M. Jekielek, Ph.D. Office of Planning, Research & Evaluation Administration for Children & Families U.S. Department of Health and Human Services CCDF: Research Programs and Data Systems

8. Administration for Children and Families • Responsible for federal programs that promote the economic and social well-being of families, children, individuals, and communities

9. Administration for Children and Families Office of Child Care • Supports low-income working families through child care financial assistance made possible by the Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) • Promotes children's learning by improving quality in early care and education and afterschool programs • States coordinate CCDF with Head Start, pre-k, and other early childhood programs, and can also direct TANF dollars for child care • OCC was established in September 2010 and replaces the former Child Care Bureau

10. CCDF, States and Data • Child Care Research Partnerships • Child Care State Research Capacity • Research Connections Data Workshops

11. The Child Care State Research Capacity Program Three main goals: • To improve the collection, analysis, and interpretation of CCDF data • To develop or improve analytic linkages with other State and local data systems (e.g., CCDF and TANF) • To encourage collaboration among State policymakers and research institutions

12. The Child Care State Research Capacity Program: Grantees • Granted to states, who typically partner with a research or educational institution • 2001-2004 (CT, MA, OR) - completed • 2002-2005 (ME, RI, WI) - completed • 2007-2010 (SC) – on-going • 2008-2011 (VA, ME, MD) – on-going • State grantees collaborate in regular meetings to discuss projects

13. For more Information http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/opre/ www.researchconnections.org (Under Federally Funded Research) Susan Jekielek OPRE Kathleen Dwyer 202.401.7260 202.401.5600 susan.jekielek@acf.hhs.govkathleen.dwyer@acf.hhs.gov

14. Connecting the Dots: State Advisory Councils and Early Childhood Data Systems Jeffrey CapizzanoSenior Policy Advisor • It will be the goal of this administration to ensure that every child has access to a complete and competitive education – from the day they are born to the day they begin a career... We have dramatically expanded early childhood education and will continue to improve its quality, because we know that the most formative learning comes in those first years of life. • President Obama, February 24, 2009

15. Deputy Assistant Secretary and Inter-departmental Liaison for Early Childhood Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary and Inter-departmental Liaison EDUCATION Head Start Child Care HUD Home Visiting OTHER AGENGIES

16. State Advisory Councils: Legislative Authority and Purpose Authority • Part of 2007 Head Start Act • Funded using $100m in 2010 ARRA funding Purpose • Engage in the development of a high-quality, comprehensive state early childhood system • “develop recommendations for the establishment or improvement of core elements of the State early childhood system, such as a statewide unified data collection system” • Advance integrated services for children

17. Mandated Composition Representatives: • The State child care agency • The State educational agency • A local educational agency • An institution of higher education • A provider of early childhood education and development services • A Head Start (HS) agency located in the State • A Migrant and Seasonal HS program and Indian HS program • The State Director of Head Start Collaboration • The State agency responsible for section 619 or part C of the IDEA • The State agency responsible for health or mental health care • Other entities determined to be relevant by the Governor Proposed composition of Councils range from the mandated participants to up to 72 members

18. Application Process and Requirements Applications submitted August 1 Applications asked how Council will: • conduct periodic statewide needs assessments on quality and availability of high quality care • Identify opportunities for and barriers to coordination and collaboration • Develop recommendations for: • increasing participation; • a pd system and career ladder; • high-quality State early learning standards. • assessing the capacity and effectiveness of 2- and 4- year institutes of higher education in supporting the career development of early childhood educators

19. State Advisory Council Awards Grants awarded on September 30 45 States received funding (not AK, ID, IN, ND, SD) • DC, PR, VI, Guam and America Samoa (not Palau or N. Mariana Islands) Awards ranged from $500K to $11m

20. Overview of data system proposals with SAC applications Varying levels of detail and scope • More ambitious • Linking data from 8 agencies • Program, classroom, and child data • Sharing between teachers, parents, policymakers, and agencies • Less ambitious • Commission report on what on states are doing Discuss horizontal and vertical linkages Best acronyms: • PELICAN and ACHIEVeS

21. How to connect with your SAC… SAC lead contact and funding information available on HHS website SAC composition and priorities are allowed to change over the grant period SACs are required to provide opportunities for public input

22. Some other things to know… • Head Start • Redesign of the Head Start T/TA System • Five national centers, State T/TA centers, local Mentor/Coaches • NPRM on redesignation of Head Start programs • Comment period ends December 21st • Child Care • “Pre-print” of new biennial state plan • Asks for more specific description of state system, goals, and updates • Questions on child assessment data and use of data within state QRIS • Home Visiting Benchmarks

23. More information… • http://www.acf.hhs.gov/earlychildhood/ • Jeffrey.Capizzano@acf.hhs.gov