- Meeting the Challenge - Creating and Sustaining Quality Programs in “Tight Times” Using Title 1 Stimulus Funding Fo

1. - Meeting the Challenge - Creating and Sustaining Quality Programs in “Tight Times” Using Title 1 Stimulus Funding For Early Learning Birth Through Age 8 Uses & Models for Effective, Aligned Early Care and Education Mary Seaton, Director of Early Learning & Anne Renschler, Consolidated Program Review Supervisor Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction State of Washington

2. Realities of Title1Stimulus funding • Large influx of funding with limited time for planning • High need at districts in many areas • High level of accountability • High interest in the use of funds for innovative sustainable programs

3. Why Consider Using Title 1 for Early Learning • 70% of a child’s brain architecture and their foundation for learning are set from birth through age eight • High percentage of children arrive at school without sufficient skills and knowledge needed • Without connections/alignment benefits of Pre-K often fade by 3rd or 4th grade • Nationally the percentage of students reading at grade level by 4th grade ranges from 17-45% depending on ethnicity (NAEP 2007 Reading Assessment)

4. Bottom Line “Children are more likely to grow into independent, able learners, and to succeed in school and beyond, if they have a strong, solid PreK-3rd base that integrates planning, curricula, professional development, and assessment across these six years.” (Rema Shore Foundation for Child Development 2009)

5. Benefits of Using Title I for Early Learning • Reach at-risk children in families with incomes above State or Federal eligibility guidelines • Fund high-quality programs that meet Head Start educational standards • Provide comprehensive services • Fund partnered professional development for children birth through age eight • Serve children in community based settings • Create programs that serve children from birth through school entry age

6. Allowable Early Learning Activities Title 1 funds can be used for: • Teachers salaries • Professional development • Counseling services • Minor remodeling, leasing or renting space in private facilities • Screening to identify children at-risk • Fund Pre-K programs both in buildings and communities

7. Approaches for Using Title I Funds to Support Early Learning Increase alignment between early care and education by connecting existing early learning programs birth through age eight Layer funds to develop or expand services to additional students Add comprehensive services targeting children birth through age eight Home visiting Summer kindergarten prep programs

8. Increase Alignment of Early Care and Education Birth Through Age Eight Organize partnered professional development & planning for children birth through age eight toward development of common understanding & practice. • Common Curriculum • Assessment • Developmentally appropriate and effective instruction • Family Engagement

9. Layer Funds to Retain or Expand Services to Additional Students • Reading First to expand or extend the grants that are ending • Even Start to add Parent Literacy or Parent Child Literacy efforts to existing Reading First, Adult Basic Ed ESL or birth to age eight early childhood programs • Special Education, Head Start or ECEAP dollars to create a integrated program • Title 1School Improvement funds may be used for Pre-school program • Title 1 migrant funds can be used to develop or add preschool programs, for family literacy or extended-day Kindergarten (under certain circumstances)

10. Used For Professional Development & Planning Title 1can be used to support professional development or planning. • For example choosing a common curriculum or cross training for early childhood and K-3 teachers • Response to Intervention & Recognition and Response

11. Examples of How Other States Layer Funds with Title 1 Asheville, NC Fundsclassrooms for 4 year olds who qualify “More at Four”, Head Start, and extends child care subsidy to full-day, full-year funds. Hamilton County Schools in Chattanooga, TN Uses Title I, Head Start and state pre-k funds to support 37 preschool classes of which12 are provided in community based settings. All classes use the same curriculum, and all teachers receive the same professional development, regardless of setting. (Center for Law And Social Policy CLASP -2007)

12. Developing Comprehensive or Extended Services • Funds can be used to develop preschool programs with comprehensive services - including ECEAP and Head Start • Comprehensive services - If a needs assessment shows that a child needs health, nutrition, or other social services and they are not available from other sources. • Home Visiting - Prior to entry or for birth to 3 • Summer programs - Summer Kindergarten or transition to Kindergarten programs • Full Day Kindergarten (under certain circumstances)

13. Other Examples of How Other States Use Title 1 Funds • Houston, TX - Provides full-day preschool to all eligible 4 year olds in the district. • Detroit, MI - Extends the day for state Pre-K and Head Start classes. • Pittsfield, MA - Assists the Parent Child Home Visiting Program for 2 and 3 year olds. (Center for Law And Social Policy CLASP -2007)

14. Some Examples of How Other States Use Title 1 Funds • Melrose, MA - Offers comprehensive screening to all 4 year olds in the district to identify at-risk children. • Mesa County Valley School Dist, CO - Provides Partnered Professional development to develop highly qualified Para-professionals for the district’s preschool program. • South Bay Union School Dist, CA - Provides literacy enrichment for preschool children and a summer booster program for entering kindergarten.(Center for Law And Social Policy CLASP -2007)

15. Contacts at OSPI to Support Planning For additional technical assistance in your planning, or to find out if your ideas are allowable for use of Title 1 funds, OSPI staff are available to help. • Gayle Pauley, Director – Title1 Gayle.Pauley@k12.wa.us • Mary Seaton, Director – Early Learning Mary.Seaton@k12.wa.us • Sheila Ammons, Coordinator – Early Childhood Special Education Sheila.Ammons@k12.wa.us • Sarah Rich, Director – Reading First Sarah.Rich@k12.wa.us • Deb Appleton, Coordinator – Even Start Deb.Appleton@k12.wa.us • Sylvia Reyna, Coordinator – Migrant Bilingual Sylvia.Reyna@k12.wa.us