EEC Annual Legislative Report February 12, 2013

1. EEC Annual Legislative Report February 12, 2013

2. Context • Legislative language requires EEC to report on Universal Pre-Kindergarten (UPK), Mental Health initiatives and the Workforce Development System • Report seeks to provide anupdateon EEC’s five-year Strategic Plan andwill frame this year’s accomplishments and future planned activities by the Board’s Five Strategic Directions and Indicators of Success • Interagency Partnerships with DCF, ESE, DHCD, DMH, DPH, DTA, ORI for cross- training, data sharing and screening and assessment

3. What EEC Must Report (at a Minimum) • Progress in achieving goals and implementing programs authorized under M.G.L. c. 15D; • Progress made towards universal early education and care for pre-schoolaged children; • Progress made toward reducing expulsion ratesthrough developmentally appropriate prevention and intervention services; • Behavioral health indicators; • Rules and regulations promulgated by the Board related to civil fines and sanctions, including the types of sanctions and the amount of the fines; and • Findings and recommendations related to the study on the programmatic financing and phase-in options for the development and implementation of the Massachusetts universal pre-kindergarten program.

4. EEC System Components and Strategic Directions: Legislative Report EEC Strategic Directions

5. EEC’s Core Areas of Focus • EEC is focused on strengthening the system of early education and care in Massachusetts as a critical element of the education pipeline from cradle to career. • The child outcomes that we are trying to achieve require investment in four critical areas: • teacher quality, • program quality, • screening and assessment, and • engagement of communities and families. • The system EEC is building includes all children, not just those who are subsidized or in formal care.

6. Framework of Annual Report

7. FY2013 Context will include: • Child and Family Literacy Initiatives • Limited Universal Participation in QRIS • Birth to Grade Three Alignment Efforts • Improved access to care for families • Readiness Centers Network • Educator and Provider Supports • Work of the Board of Early Education and Care

8. Example: Strategic Direction: Quality Indicator of Success: MA Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS) has been developed, validated, funded and implemented with full involvement of EEC’s community partners and EEC staff. Accomplished This Year • Launch of On-line System for Programs to Manage QRIS Participation • Limited Universal Participation in QRIS • Implementation of FY2012 QRIS Program Improvement Grants • Verification of Programs • QRIS Level 2 Infant-Toddler Rate Increase • Screening and Assessment – MELD • Standards: Validation and Alignment • Center on Social Emotional Foundation for Early Learning- CSEFEL

9. Example: Strategic Direction: Quality Indicator of Success: MA Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS) has been developed, validated, funded and implemented with full involvement of EEC’s community partners and EEC staff. Planned for Next Year • Evaluation of the QRIS Standards • Rate Reform Initiative-Market Rate Study • Targeted Professional Development Resources • Developing and Implementing a New Risk Management Tool

10. Example: Strategic Direction: Workforce Indicator of Success: The early education workforce has access to affordable education and professional development resources that support core competencies. Accomplished This Year • Professional Development Programs • FY2012Educator and Provider Support • Targeted Professional Development Resources • Early Educator Scholarship Program • Professional Qualifications Registry • FY2012 Assessment Grant and Supports

11. Example: Strategic Direction: Workforce Indicator of Success:The early education workforce has access to affordable education and professional development resources that support core competencies. Planned for Next Year • Educator and Provider Support • Birth to 8 License Project • Targeted Professional Development Resources with Readiness Centers

12. Example: Strategic Direction: Family Indicator of Success: Families are informed about child development and aware of family support resources. Accomplished This Year • Consolidation of Coordinated Family and Community Engagement grantees • Infant-Toddler Guidelines in five languages • ASQ pilot • MA Maternal, Infant and Early Care Home Visiting Initiative • Improved Access to Care- Online Income Eligible Waiting List

13. Example: Strategic Direction: Family Indicator of Success: Families are informed about child development and aware of family support resources. Planned for Next Year • WGBH Media-based Literacy Support Initiative • Family Guides • Brazelton Touchpoints trainings • Museums and Libraries Project • Strengthening Families training modules

14. Example: Strategic Direction: Communications Indicator of Success: The public understands and values the purpose of EEC. Accomplished This Year • Brain Building in Progress Public Awareness Campaign • EEC and DPH joint Professional Development trainings • Online courses, resources, educational pamphlets for families • Interagency partnerships

15. Example: Strategic Direction: Communications Indicator of Success: The public understands and values the purpose of EEC. Planned for Next Year • Brain Building in Progress Public Awareness Campaign (continued) • WGBH Media Initiative- School Readiness website for parents • Online resources, courses • Birth to Grade Three Alignment for Developmental Success • Child Development Training for School Principals and Early Education Leaders

16. Example: Strategic Direction: Infrastructure Indicator of Success: With user input and involvement, EEC has transformed the existing technology infrastructure into a state-of-the-art, unified comprehensive system. Accomplished This Year • ESE-EEC Data Sharing Project: SASID • Online waiting list application for families • Online professional development courses, resources, educational pamphlets for families • Online system developed to manage QRIS participation

17. Example: Strategic Direction: Infrastructure Indicator of Success: With user input and involvement, EEC has transformed the existing technology infrastructure into a state-of-the-art, unified comprehensive system. Planned for Next Year • Early Childhood Data Systems work (continued) • MA Kindergarten Entry Assessment- MKEA Cohort 2 • Common Metric Project • STEM Trainings and Standards • MA Alignment Study Plan

18. Key Initiatives Advanced in FY2013 Highlights of the FY2012-2013 initiatives that advanced the work of EEC include: • QRIS Quality Improvement Grants • Child Care Resource and Referral (CCR&R) Reform • Redefining Universal Pre-Kindergarten (UPK) • Birth to Grade Three Alignment • Social/Emotional, Language and Literacy Development • Business Partnership with Early Education • Comprehensive Child Data System • Early Childhood Information System (ECIS)– Access to Parental Consent Forms at a Variety of Access Points • ASQ – Access to Children Beyond Formal Child Care Settings • Alignment of Quality with a Rate Reform Initiative • Availability of On-line Resources • Head Start Expansion • Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation Program

19. The Call for Collective Action “As we contemplate the future of our Commonwealth, and the future of our country and world, we must think differently and act more creatively about how we create consistent excellence throughout public education. We must break down the silos that characterize our approach to public education. Instead, we must create a continuum of teaching and learning dedicated at every turn to the academic and personal success of each individual student… (The Patrick Administration Education Action Agenda) provides an action agenda for establishing universal excellence over the next decade. Recognizing that no one idea will transform the system, the agenda leverages the relationships within the education sector and among all sectors of society. As we implement these action items, my administration will continue its commitment to the collaboration and cooperation that are the hallmarks of the Commonwealth Readiness Project. Taken together, and with all stakeholders working together, I am confident that we can deliver on a new 21st century promise of high-quality public education for all Massachusetts residents.” --READY FOR 21ST CENTURY SUCCESS: THE NEW PROMISE OF PUBLIC EDUCATION; The Patrick Administration Education Action Agenda, June 2008