Great Start Readiness Preschool Program Annual Report 2015-16€¦ · Great Start Readiness...
Transcript of Great Start Readiness Preschool Program Annual Report 2015-16€¦ · Great Start Readiness...
Great Start ReadinessPreschool Program
Annual Report2015-2016
Montcalm Area Intermediate School District621 New Street, PO Box 367, Stanton, MI 48888
Contents
Executive Summary ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1
Program Information ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3
Enrollment ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3
Type of Eligibility ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3
2015-16 Poverty Guidelines ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 3
School Readiness Goals ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4
Language and Literacy -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5
Cognitional and Mathematics ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 6
Physical Well-Being and Motor Development ---------------------------------------------------------- 7
Approaches Toward Learning ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 8
Classroom Learning ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 9
Program Quality Assessment (PQA) ---------------------------------------------------------------------10
PQA Follow Up Results ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 11
PQA Scores by MAISD District ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 11
Early Childhood Specialist ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 12
Continuous Improvement --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 13
Appendix ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 15
Acronym List -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 15
Great Start Readiness Preschool Program Annual Report 2015-16
Page 1
Executive Summary
The Great Start Readiness Program (GSRP) is a state funded preschool program for four year olds that is
coordinated by local ISD’s. GSRP programming supports the development of young children through
partnering with parents. Children are more than their parts that make up a whole. Children operate as a
whole because of their mind, body, and feelings. GSRP programming strives to support parents and
students in all areas. GSRP, also recognizes parents are their children’s first and best teacher. Essentially,
GSRP is a holistic approach to kindergarten readiness.
In Montcalm County GSRP is coordinated by the Montcalm Area Intermediate School District (MAISD).
The MAISD provides services, programs and supports to all of the local school districts within Montcalm
County. The MAISD also operates four facilities serving students in the areas of special education,
general education, and career technical education. Facilities include the Seiter Education Center in
Greenville, Montcalm Area Career Center in Sidney, H.O. Steele Education Center in Fenwick and the
Helen L. Hamler Administration Building in Stanton.
The MAISD:
Offers center-based programs and programs within local districts; supporting more than 1,600
students with special needs ages birth to 26 years old. These programs include education services
for Early College, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Emotional Impairment, Cognitive Impairment,
Hearing Impairment, Early Childhood Identification services and Early Childhood Special
Education for Birth to Three Years Old. MAISD actively engages in early intervention through
Early On and Great Start programming. These programs serve over 100 families each year in
Montcalm County.
Operates the Montcalm Area Career Center serving juniors and seniors attending Montcalm
County schools with career technical education programs. All programs have articulation
agreements allowing students to earn free college credits.
Provides a technology infrastructure which supports local district systems, allows for curriculum
integration and provides an outstanding foundation of assistive technology to meet individual
learning needs.
Offers a broad spectrum of services in the areas of general education including curriculum,
instruction and professional development as well as school safety, truancy, pupil accounting, and
business and finance. All departments provide support and facilitation for local district
collaboration.
Supports the evidenced based Great Start Readiness Programming (GSRP) for four-year-old
preschool opportunities. There are nine sub recipients that include all seven school districts and
two community partners; Eight CAP, Inc. and St. Charles Borromeo Catholic school.
In 2015-16 school year the MAISD has funded programming for the enrollment of 634 GSRP slots. Over
400 children were served in a center-based GSRP program. GSRP targets families who have identified
risk factors that may interfere with their child’s educational success. The priority risk factor is defined as
income at or below 250% of federal poverty level. Other risk factors are defined by Michigan legislation;
there are 7 risk factors total for eligibility. In the 2015-16 school year the State of Michigan budget
included a significant increase for state funded 4-year-old programs ($65 million). This increase has
continued to allow for expansion within the MAISD.
Michigan legislation also included language that said 30% of each ISD areas' allocated slots must be bid
out to private providers so they can operate GSRP. Two eligible community based organizations (CBO)
with in the MAISD, Eight CAP, Inc. and St. Charles Borromeo Catholic School increased their GSRP
classroom opportunities within the MAISD. Each GSRP site serves 16 four-year olds and transportation
is provided. Also, Head Start dollars were blended with the State GSRP dollars to provide the full day
Great Start Readiness Preschool Program Annual Report 2015-16
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option and transportation. A total of five classrooms were operated by Eight CAP, Inc. and one
classroom was operated by St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Schools. The total increase for the 2015-16
school year in CBO classrooms was from 5 to 6.
All preschool children are served in a licensed, center-based option where all have at least a three out of
five in on the Great Start to Quality Rating system through the State of Michigan. In 2015-16 there were
24 classrooms directly operated by 9 sub recipients. Children attend the school 4 days per week during a
typical school day throughout the school year and receive home visits twice during the school year.
Classrooms can run on a half day schedule or school day schedule (full day). The majority of GSRP
programs ran full day operations.
All children are screened within the first 5 days of enrollment using the Ages and Stages Questionnaire
(ASQ-3). This tool covers six areas of development and generates a report letting staff and parents know
if a child is typical, needs monitoring or needs a referral for further evaluation in each area. For on-going
assessment information, staff use Teaching Strategies GOLD. This allows staff to continue to assess and
level a child’s progress in all areas of development. GSRP students also complete health and dental
screening activities as a part of the program support. GSRP teachers also provide additional referral and
resource information for identified needs to the families. The Curriculum that is used in all GSRP
programming is Creative Curriculum and Teaching Strategies GOLD is used by all GSRP as an
assessment tool.
Preschool experiences can be the most critical in a child’s education and can influence future learning.
Background, ethnicity, family lifestyle, experiences, and goals all play a role in how teachers interact with
children. GSRP teachers reflect on their practices is an ongoing manner and participate in regular
professional development provided by the MAISD. GSRP staff and the MAISD are dedicated to
supporting children in being kindergarten ready. Last year 36 hours of professional development were
provided by the MAISD to GSRP staff.
90%
93%94%
85%83%
Physical Gross
Motor
Physical Fine Motor Language
Development
Early Literacy Early Mathematics
Percentage of Children Meeting or Above Expected Growth Range
Great Start Readiness Preschool Program Annual Report 2015-16
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Program Information
The data represented in this selection is gathered throughout the program year using Drop Box, Online
PQA System and TS Gold assessment database system. It is compiled in the annual Program Information
Report (PIR).
Enrollment The total cumulative enrollment for the 2015-16 data was 400 Children.
Type of Eligibility
1. Low family income
Equal or less than 250% of federal poverty level
2. Diagnosed disability or identified development delay
Child’s developmental progress is less than that expected for his/her chronological
age, or chronic health issues cause development or learning problems
3. Severe or challenging behavior
Child has been expelled from preschool or childcare center
4. Primary home language other than English
English is not spoken in the child’s home; English is not the child’s first language
5. Parent/guardian with low educational attainment
Parent has not graduated from high school or is illiterate
6. Abuse/neglect of child or parent
Domestic, sexual, or physical abuse of child or parent; child neglect issues
7. Environmental risk
Parent loss due to death, divorce, incarceration, military service or absence
*State of Michigan Law states that no more than
10% of eligibility can be used for over income slots.
2015 Poverty Guidelines
FOR THE 48 CONTIGUOUS STATES AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
Persons in family/household Annual Income
1 $11,770
2 $15,930
3 $20,090
4 $24,250
5 $28,410
6 $32,570
7 $36,730
8 $40,890
For families/households with more than 8 persons, add $4,160 for each additional person.
92%
7%19%
Low Family Income *Over Income IEP
Percent of MAISD GSRP Children Enrolled by
Type of Elgibility
Great Start Readiness Preschool Program Annual Report 2015-16
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School Readiness Goals
Office of Great Start Goals:
1. Children born healthy;
2. Children healthy, thriving, and developmentally on track from birth to third grade;
3. Children developmentally ready to succeed in school at the time of school entry; and
4. Children prepared to succeed in fourth grade and beyond by reading proficiently by the end of
third grade.
In partnership with the Head Start Planning Committee the School Readiness Goals for each area of
development were established and are listed below.
Social-Emotional Development:
Children will develop and engage in positive relationships and interactions with adults;
Children will begin to develop and demonstrate control over some of their feelings and behaviors
(self-regulation).
Language and Literacy:
Children will engage with print (e.g., stories and books) appropriately;
Children will hear, distinguish and identify the sounds of rhymes of language.
Cognitive and General Knowledge:
Children will use all their senses to investigate their environment, to discover what objects and
people do, how things work, and how they make things happen;
Children will begin to develop and demonstrate the ability to remember and connect new and
known experiences and information.
Physical Well Being and Motor Development:
Children will develop control of small muscles for manipulation and exploration;
Children will learn and begin to demonstrate healthy and safe habits.
Approaches to Learning:
Children will demonstrate persistence in learning and discovery;
Children will learn and use words to describe what they are thinking and doing.
School Readiness is defined by the Office of Head Start as children possessing the skills, knowledge,
and attitudes necessary for success in school and for later learning and life. GSRP strives to support
the same concept in defining kindergarten readiness. The GSRP approach to school readiness is:
children are ready for school, families are ready to support their children’s learning, and schools are
ready for children.
Great Start Readiness Preschool Program Annual Report 2015-16
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Language and Literacy
Language Development refers to emerging abilities in receptive and expressive language. This domain
includes understanding and using one or more languages. Language development is among the most
important tasks in the first five years of a child’s life.
Literacy Knowledge & Skills refers to the knowledge and skills that lay the foundation for reading and
writing, such as understanding basic concepts about books or other printed materials, the alphabet, and
letter-sound relationships. Early literacy is the foundation for reading and writing in all academic
endeavors in school. It is considered one of the most important areas for young children’s development
and learning. 89% of GSRP students met or exceeded this area in 2015-16.
Source: http://eclkc.ohs.acf.hhs.gov/hslc/sr/approach/cdelf/lk_skills.html
MAISD GSRP Program Statistics:
2%
78%
20%
5%
76%
19%
Below Meeting Exceeding
Languagepercent by children
2014-15 2015-16
Source:
GSRP TS Gold Data Base
3%
67%
30%
11%
59%
30%
Below Meeting Exceeding
Literacy by percent by chilren
2014-15 2015-16
Great Start Readiness Preschool Program Annual Report 2015-16
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Cognitive and Mathematics
Cognitive Development, also called intellectual development, is influenced by various factors including
biological makeup, the environment, and how the child approaches learning tasks (e.g., attention,
persistence, curiosity, and flexibility). A child’s background knowledge, or knowledge base, also affects
the way a child thinks.
Mathematics: Research has made a clear link between early math skills and later school reading and
math achievement. Children’s mathematical knowledge at kindergarten entry is considered predictive of
future mathematics success throughout their years in school.
Source: https://www.teachingstrategies.com/content/pageDocs/teaching-strategies-gold-assessment-research-foundation.pdf
MAISD GSRP Program Statistics:
1%
78%
21%11%
66%
23%
Below Meeting Exceeding
Cognitivepercent by children
2014-15 2015-16
Source:
GSRP TS Gold Data Base
9%
65%
26%17%
60%
23%
Below Meeting Exceeding
Mathematicsby percent of children
2014-15 2015-16
Great Start Readiness Preschool Program Annual Report 2015-16
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Physical Well-Being and Motor Development
Physical development includes children’s gross-motor (large muscle) and fine-motor (small muscle)
skills. Physical development affects other areas of development. In fact, brain research points to the
importance of early, positive movement experiences to brain development (Gabbard, 1998; Robert, 1999),
and physical development is linked to children’s emotional development and their school performance
(Pica, 2006; Rule & Steward, 2002; Sanders, 2002; Son & Miesels, 2006). Source: https://www.teachingstrategies.com/content/pageDocs/teaching-strategies-gold-assessment-research-foundation.pdf
MAISD GSRP Program Statistics:
4%
94%
2%9%
81%
10%
Below Meeting Exceeding
Physical Gross Motorby Perecent of children
2014-15 2015-16
Source:
GSRP TS Gold Data Base
1%
76%
23%
7%
64%
29%
Below Meeting Exceeding
Physical Fine Motorpercent of children
2014-15 2015-16
Great Start Readiness Preschool Program Annual Report 2015-16
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Approaches Toward Learning
Approaches toward Learning refers to observable behaviors that indicate ways children become engaged
in social interactions and learning experiences. Children’s approaches toward learning contribute to their
success in school and influence their development and learning in all other domains. Children’s ability to
stay focused, interested, and engaged in activities supports a range of positive outcomes, including
cognitive, language, and social and emotional development. All areas show improved progress in 2015-
16.
MAISD GSRP Program Statistics:
Source:
GSRP TS Gold Data Base
97%
96%
2015-16
2014-15
Uses on Expanding Expressive
Vocabulary
92%
90%
2015-16
2014-15
Attends and Engages
92%
89%
2015-16
2014-15
Persists
Great Start Readiness Preschool Program Annual Report 2015-16
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Classroom Learning Classroom learning data is from teachers using assessments within TS GOLD. The following data shows
weaknesses and strengths in MAISD GSRP classrooms as identified by TS GOLD.
10% 11%
22%
12%
22%
55%
19%23% 23%
39% 39%30%
Language Cognitve Mathematics Physical Social-Emotioanl Literacy
Areas of GSRP Strengthspercent of Children Above Growth Range
2014-15 2015-16
1% 1%
8%
1%3%
7%5%
11%
17% 16%
10% 11%
Language Cognitive Mathematics Physical Social-Emotional Literacy
Areas to Address for Improvementspercent of children below growth range
2014-15 2015-16
Great Start Readiness Preschool Program Annual Report 2015-16
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Program Quality Assessment (PQA)
All GSRP classrooms are formally assessed three times per year using the Program Quality Assessment
(PQA) tool. Early Childhood Specialist (ECS) are trained reliable raters of the instrument. Instructional
Support focuses on concept development (how a teacher uses instructional discussions and activities to
promote a students’ higher-order thinking skills in contrast to a focus on route instruction), quality of
feedback (how teachers extend students’ learning through their responses to students’ ideas, comments,
and work), and language modeling (the extent to which teachers facilitate and encourage students’
language). According to highscoupe.org “PQA is a rating instrument designed to evaluate the quality of
early childhood programs and identify staff training needs”. PQA covers 63 dimensions of program
quality in 7 domains; learning environment, daily routine, adult-child interaction, curriculum planning
and assessment, parent involvement and family services, staff qualifications and development and
program management. In order to receive high range levels, a teacher must be observed demonstrating
these skills in the classroom. In 2015-16 the MAISD average PQA score of 4.48, exceeded the state
average PQA score of 4.35.
MAISD GSRP Program PQA Data:
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
Carson
City Avg.
Score
Central
Montcalm
Avg. Score
Greenville
Avg. Score
Lakveview
Avg. Score
Montabella
Avg. Score
Tri County
Avg. Score
Vestaburg
Avg. Score
St. Charles
Avg. Score
EightCAP
Avg. Score
MAISD
Avg. Score
State Avg.
Score
PQA Form A 2015-16rated on a scale 0-5
Learning Environment Daily Routine Adult-Child Interaction Curriculum Planning & Assessment Total Scores
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
Carson
City Avg.
Score
Central
Montcalm
Avg. Score
Greenville
Avg. Score
Lakeview
Avg. Score
Montabella
Avg. Score
Tri County
Avg. Score
Vestaburg
Avg. Score
St. Charles
Avg. Score
EightCAP
Avg. Score
MAISD
Avg. Score
State Avg.
Score
PQA Form B 2015-16rated on a scale 0-5
Parent Involvement & Family Services Staff Qualifications Program Management Total Score
Great Start Readiness Preschool Program Annual Report 2015-16
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PQA Follow Up Results
20 out of 24 GSRP/Head Start classrooms meet 100% of their PQA goals. Of the remaining 4 out 2
classrooms, met 2/3 of their goals.
PQA areas where scores were a 3 or lower:
1. Diversity related materials
Multi-cultural (bilingual) books, dolls and cloths in dramatic play area. Along with
puzzles and food materials reflecting community
2. Support for child communication
Small group extension based on child’s needs, open ended questions, each child interacts
with teaching staff children suggestions followed.
3. Acknowledgement of child efforts
Adults do not praise one given rewards, restating children’s ideas, having children
evaluate their own work, no “good job”: ask what child thinks about their own work.
PQA Scores by MAISD District
0
2
4
6
Carson City Central
Montcalm
Greenville Lakeview Montabella Tri-County Vestaburg St. Charles Eight Cap
Preschool Quality Assessment Scores, Multi-Year Comparison
(Form A)
2012-2013 2013-2014 2014-15 2015-16
3.5
4
4.5
5
Carson City Central
Montcalm
Greenville Lakeview Montabella Tri-County Vestaburg St. Charles Eight Cap
Preschool Quality Assessment Scores for 2015-16
(FormA)
District Average MAISD Average State Average
Great Start Readiness Preschool Program Annual Report 2015-16
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Early Childhood Specialist
Early Childhood Specialist (ECS) services used a coaching model. ECS’s support of GSRP classrooms,
provide interaction with teaching teams to support quality.
Teachers receive support as requested. 18 participants out of 24 GSRP/Head Start classrooms participated
in the annual ECS evaluation survey.
94% reported that ECS returned phone calls and emails in a timely manner.
88% reported that ECS kept scheduled appointments and completed requested tasks in a timely
manner.
88% reported that they have a cooperative relationship with their ECS. Also, that ECS’s
responded to other’s needs, listen well and set a positive tone.
94% reported their ECS had the knowledge and skills related to GSRP and they provided
necessary support as an effective ECS.
Teacher Comments:
ECS’s provided 24/7 support
Supports and materials provided, were helpful
ECS’s are helpful in explaining things teachers struggled with
ECS’s provided great examples
PQA results a week after completion would be nice
3044 42
2513
4132
24
80
Carson City CentralMontcalm
Greenville Lakeview Montabella Tri-County Vestaburg St. Charles Eight Cap
ECS Face to Face Support 9/2015-5/2016
Great Start Readiness Preschool Program Annual Report 2015-16
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2015-16 Continuous Improvement Plan Progress
The following focus areas for Program Improvement occurred in 2015-2016. For 2015-2016:
A Montcalm GSRP Calendar was provided to teachers at the beginning of the school year with
dates for Professional Development, Reports, PQA’s, Data Improvement Meetings, etc.
An increase in Anecdotal Note/Record Keeping occurred. Teachers had an average of 33 records per
child.
Teaching Strategies Gold Training was provided at the beginning of the 2015-2016 school year to
teaching teams. Additional support was provided during the 2015-2016 school year. Parent portal
was implemented. Technology were provided, such as iPads to assistant teachers. Support for
note taking sheet assignments and purchasing classroom material as well as child use mini iPads
were provided.
Teaching Strategies Gold Implementation Follow Up:
Ongoing coaching was provided to teaching teams on the use of Teaching Strategies Gold.
Monitoring was provided by the ECC’s as well as additional supports by ECS’s during the school
year. IPad support was provided and will continue in order to assistance with the TS Gold
Documentation. Data points were pulled and compared to each classroom to measure fidelity,
number of notes, etc. Professional development and data team meetings focused on improving
implementation to fidelity.
2015-16 Highlights of Montcalm Great Start Readiness Classrooms
Serviced over 400 children in 24 classrooms and supported 24 teaching teams.
Collaborated a Bus Tour learning opportunity through Montcalm County to visit GSRP & Head
Start classrooms.
Conducted 10 Professional Development opportunities to address specific program and PQA
goals.
Partnered with private preschool providers and Head Start to support the development of 5 star
programs in Montcalm County.
Added one new CBO to advance the goal of 30% CBO slot allocation.
Completed standard based learning projects: Hair on Fire
2016-17 Exciting Happenings
Multi-Tier System of Support (MTSS) implementation for all GSRP programs.
Develop Early Childhood Leaders with in our GSRP system.
Continue collaborating with all preschool providers in Montcalm County to expand quality
programming opportunities for families.
Expand parent portal use to support parent involvement in all GSRP programs.
Implement best practices that support inclusive opportunities in preschool settings, including
operating an inclusive GSRP/ECSE Classroom.
Initiate electronic lessons plan system for GSRP Classrooms.
Great Start Readiness Preschool Program Annual Report 2015-16
Page 14
Collection of Meaningful Data and Data Driven Insulation
Teaching Strategies Gold has been purchased for each classroom in order to collect and organize
classroom data. The Ages and Stages Development Screening Tool (ASQ) has been purchased
and provided to each teaching team. Data meetings will be held with each sub-recipient, three
times during the 2016-2017 school year. Intentional instruction to support fidelity to creative
curriculum will be the focus.
Parental Involvement
Parent portal for TS Gold will be implemented in all classrooms
Hair on Fire project used to support instruction. This will support parents as their child’s first and
best teacher.
2016-2017 Montcalm Area ISD Continuous Improvement Plan Summary:
Three individual data meetings will be held with each sub recipient to help improve individual
classroom data considering TS Gold data, ASQ data, and PQA results.
Two joint Professional Development trainings will be held with Head Start and GSRP teachers
and staff. Topics included: Early Childhood Math and Feeding Supports.
Two Professional Development components provided at School Readiness Advisory meetings
covering topics driven by PQA within Montcalm Area ISD with a focus in Creative Curriculum
fidelity.
TS Gold and creative curriculum training for new staff will take place in August.
GSRP staff will complete 6 Multi-Tier System of Supports (MTSS) trainings to support MTSS
implementation in GSRP classrooms.
Great Start Readiness Preschool Program Annual Report 2015-16
Page 15
Appendix
Acronym List
ASQ-3 Ages & Stages Questionnaire-3rd Edition
CDC Child Development and Care
CLASS Classroom Assessment Scoring System
DECA Devereux Early Childhood Assessment
ECS Early Childhood Specialist
ECC Early Childhood Contact
ECIC Early Childhood Investment Corporation
EHS Early Head Start
EPSDT Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnosis, and Treatment
GSRP Great Start Readiness Program
HS Head Start
IEP Individualized Education Program
IFSP Individualized Family Service Plan
MTSS Multi-Tier System of Supports
OGS Office of Great Start
OHS Office of Head Start
PIR Program Information Report
PQA Program Quality Assessment
SSI Supplemental Social Security Income
TANF Temporary Assistance for Needy Families
TS GOLD Teaching Strategies GOLD