Connecting Early Childhood Practices to AQuESTT
Connecting Early Childhood Practices to AQuESTT Office of Early Childhood
Early Childhood in Nebraska • 198 districts including 4 ESUs serving children • 11,000+ children served in district-operated early childhood programs birth to kindergarten entrance age • Partnerships with Sixpence, Early Head Start/Head Start
Positive Partnerships, Relationships & Student Success The State Board believes that student engagement through positive partnerships and relationships is fundamental to successful schools and districts. The State Board seeks to support schools and districts to implement best practices in student, family and community engagement to enhance educational experiences and opportunities.
Areas of Focus • Individualized or Personalized Learning Plans • Attendance and Participation • Family Engagement • Community and support services
Auburn • Partnership with local childcare • Same expectations across community • Monthly collaboration meetings • Not a competition
• Contact: Amy Kroll, Student Services Director • [email protected]; 402-274-4131
Gretna • Pyramid Model • Preschool implementation • Kindergarten teacher implementation • Subsequent years, subsequent grades
• Contact: Deborah Siemers, Special Education Director • [email protected]; 402-332-3265
Kearney • Pyramid Model • Community Collaboration
• Contact: Carol Renner, Associate Superintendent • [email protected]; 308-698-8005
Mitchell • Partnership with Head Start • • • •
Reimbursement for slots Meeting the higher standards Staff development Family development
• Contact: Peggy Romshek, Special Services Director • [email protected]; 308-641-0689
Schuyler • Family Events • • • •
Partnerships with several organizations Reach to young families Whole family involvement Increased awareness and enrollment
• Contact: Bill Comley, Elementary Principal • [email protected]; 402-352-9940 ext. 302
Questions?
Transitions The State Board believes that quality educational opportunities focus on supports for students transitioning between grade levels, programs, schools, districts and ultimately college and careers. Areas of Focus • Early Childhood-Elementary • Elementary-Middle School • Middle School-High School • High School-Post High School
Waverly (Eagle) • Preschool to Kindergarten transition • Mutual transitions • Student information • Home visits
• Contact: Dottie Heusman, Elementary Principal • [email protected]; 402-781-2210
Westside • Routines Based Intervention • Time-intensive family assessment • Implications • • • • •
Better family knowledge Family buy-in Family outcomes Rich child outcomes Better rapport
• Contact: Jeanette Lengemann, Early Childhood Special Education Coordinator • [email protected]; 402-408-8438
Questions?
Educational Opportunities & Access The State Board believes that all students should have access to comprehensive instructional opportunities to be prepared for postsecondary education and career goals. Areas of Focus • Early Childhood Education • Comprehensive Learning Opportunities • Expanded Learning Opportunities • Blended Learning Opportunities
Shickley • Full-day preschool for 3-4 year olds • No tuition or meal costs • Transportation
• Need for children 6 weeks-3 years • Hired highly-qualified staff • Rate charges pay for half of costs
• Implications
• Increased kindergarten readiness • Families moving to district
• Contact: Bryce Jorgenson, Superintendent • [email protected]; 402-627-3375
Questions?
Assessment The State Board believes the results of multiple assessment sources (national, state, and classroom-based) should be used to measure student achievement of college and career ready standards, and be used as an integral part of the instructional process. Areas of Focus • Individualized/Adaptive Assessments • Classroom Based Assessments • State Assessments • National/International Assessments
Papillion LaVista • Continuous Improvement • Grade level Action Plans • Regular meetings • Growth in all areas of development
• Contact: Kristy Feden, Supervisor of Early Childhood • [email protected]; 402-514-3242
Wayne • Community Preschool GOLD • • • •
GOLD accounts for all 3-4 year olds Training and monthly meetings Power of Preschools Use in Kindergarten
• Misty Beair, Special Education Director/ Early Learning Center Director • [email protected]; 402-833-1450
Questions?
Educator Effectiveness The State Board believes that students should be surrounded by effective educators throughout their learning experiences such that schools and districts develop effective teachers and leaders who establish a culture of success. Areas of Focus • Nebraska Teacher & Principal Performance Framework • Professional Development • Building Leadership Supports • Effective Local Policy Makers & Superintendents
Millard • Principal Professional Development • Overview of early childhood • “Look fors” document • Book study: Leading Pre-K-3 Learning Communities, Competencies for Effective Principal Practice (NAESP publication)
• Contact: Jean Ubbelohde, Early Childhood Coordinator • [email protected]; 402-715-8307
Riverside • Participating in Step Up to Quality • • • •
Professional development opportunities Coaching Classroom strategies Incentives
• Contact Lisa Thayer, Early Childhood Teacher • [email protected]; 308-497-2431
Scottsbluff • Professional Learning Communities • • • •
Teachers and Paraeducators Implement play-based philosophy Bi-weekly meetings Assigned readings/assignments/discussions • Observation and Feedback
• Contact: Frances Burkhalter, Principal • [email protected]; 308-635-6293
Questions?
Follow us @NDE_GOV!
Early Childhood in Nebraska • 198 districts including 4 ESUs serving children • 11,000+ children served in district-operated early childhood programs birth to kindergarten entrance age • Partnerships with Sixpence, Early Head Start/Head Start
Positive Partnerships, Relationships & Student Success The State Board believes that student engagement through positive partnerships and relationships is fundamental to successful schools and districts. The State Board seeks to support schools and districts to implement best practices in student, family and community engagement to enhance educational experiences and opportunities.
Areas of Focus • Individualized or Personalized Learning Plans • Attendance and Participation • Family Engagement • Community and support services
Auburn • Partnership with local childcare • Same expectations across community • Monthly collaboration meetings • Not a competition
• Contact: Amy Kroll, Student Services Director • [email protected]; 402-274-4131
Gretna • Pyramid Model • Preschool implementation • Kindergarten teacher implementation • Subsequent years, subsequent grades
• Contact: Deborah Siemers, Special Education Director • [email protected]; 402-332-3265
Kearney • Pyramid Model • Community Collaboration
• Contact: Carol Renner, Associate Superintendent • [email protected]; 308-698-8005
Mitchell • Partnership with Head Start • • • •
Reimbursement for slots Meeting the higher standards Staff development Family development
• Contact: Peggy Romshek, Special Services Director • [email protected]; 308-641-0689
Schuyler • Family Events • • • •
Partnerships with several organizations Reach to young families Whole family involvement Increased awareness and enrollment
• Contact: Bill Comley, Elementary Principal • [email protected]; 402-352-9940 ext. 302
Questions?
Transitions The State Board believes that quality educational opportunities focus on supports for students transitioning between grade levels, programs, schools, districts and ultimately college and careers. Areas of Focus • Early Childhood-Elementary • Elementary-Middle School • Middle School-High School • High School-Post High School
Waverly (Eagle) • Preschool to Kindergarten transition • Mutual transitions • Student information • Home visits
• Contact: Dottie Heusman, Elementary Principal • [email protected]; 402-781-2210
Westside • Routines Based Intervention • Time-intensive family assessment • Implications • • • • •
Better family knowledge Family buy-in Family outcomes Rich child outcomes Better rapport
• Contact: Jeanette Lengemann, Early Childhood Special Education Coordinator • [email protected]; 402-408-8438
Questions?
Educational Opportunities & Access The State Board believes that all students should have access to comprehensive instructional opportunities to be prepared for postsecondary education and career goals. Areas of Focus • Early Childhood Education • Comprehensive Learning Opportunities • Expanded Learning Opportunities • Blended Learning Opportunities
Shickley • Full-day preschool for 3-4 year olds • No tuition or meal costs • Transportation
• Need for children 6 weeks-3 years • Hired highly-qualified staff • Rate charges pay for half of costs
• Implications
• Increased kindergarten readiness • Families moving to district
• Contact: Bryce Jorgenson, Superintendent • [email protected]; 402-627-3375
Questions?
Assessment The State Board believes the results of multiple assessment sources (national, state, and classroom-based) should be used to measure student achievement of college and career ready standards, and be used as an integral part of the instructional process. Areas of Focus • Individualized/Adaptive Assessments • Classroom Based Assessments • State Assessments • National/International Assessments
Papillion LaVista • Continuous Improvement • Grade level Action Plans • Regular meetings • Growth in all areas of development
• Contact: Kristy Feden, Supervisor of Early Childhood • [email protected]; 402-514-3242
Wayne • Community Preschool GOLD • • • •
GOLD accounts for all 3-4 year olds Training and monthly meetings Power of Preschools Use in Kindergarten
• Misty Beair, Special Education Director/ Early Learning Center Director • [email protected]; 402-833-1450
Questions?
Educator Effectiveness The State Board believes that students should be surrounded by effective educators throughout their learning experiences such that schools and districts develop effective teachers and leaders who establish a culture of success. Areas of Focus • Nebraska Teacher & Principal Performance Framework • Professional Development • Building Leadership Supports • Effective Local Policy Makers & Superintendents
Millard • Principal Professional Development • Overview of early childhood • “Look fors” document • Book study: Leading Pre-K-3 Learning Communities, Competencies for Effective Principal Practice (NAESP publication)
• Contact: Jean Ubbelohde, Early Childhood Coordinator • [email protected]; 402-715-8307
Riverside • Participating in Step Up to Quality • • • •
Professional development opportunities Coaching Classroom strategies Incentives
• Contact Lisa Thayer, Early Childhood Teacher • [email protected]; 308-497-2431
Scottsbluff • Professional Learning Communities • • • •
Teachers and Paraeducators Implement play-based philosophy Bi-weekly meetings Assigned readings/assignments/discussions • Observation and Feedback
• Contact: Frances Burkhalter, Principal • [email protected]; 308-635-6293
Questions?
Follow us @NDE_GOV!
