Early Learning In Oregon

Early Learning In Oregon Cradle to Career: League of Women Voters Education Studies Kick-Off 2013 Saturday, November 2, 2013

Today Evidence for Early Evidence-Education Gap Oregon’s Early Learners Oregon’s Developing System

Children are Born Learning Critical aspects of brain architecture areshaped before and soon after birth Many fundamental aspects of brain architecture are established well before a child enters school.

Early Matters Genetics + Environment + Experience = brain architecture

Early is Important Early environments and experiences have an exceptionally strong influence on brain architecture. Difficult for new/different experiences to alter. Experiences during sensitive periods of development play an exceptionally important role in shaping the capacities of the brain.

Early is Important

Evidence –Education • “Learning” begins at (before) birth. • Learning potential is reached with • High quality, stimulating experiences in early years • Building on this strong foundation with age appropriate experiences during school age years • Acceptance of poor quality care in the early years. • Education reforms will have greatest impact if they include early years.

Evidence-Education Developmental assessments can identify those children/families most in need of enhanced experiences. Provide support before problem behavior or development begins or ASAP thereafter. Evidence-based programs (esp. for families with limited income and education) can enhance early learning experiences for young children. Early and effective intervention for the most vulnerable children will generate the greatest financial payback.

Oregon’s Early Learners

In Oregon • 45,000 children born each year • 315,000 ages 0-6 • 40% at risk (n=~120,000) • $380+ million per year focused on prevention • $1.7 billion per biennia on young children/families • Serving 25-33% of at-risk children

Of every 10 kids in Oregon… Medicaid pays for 5 of every 10 births  4 are not ready for Kindergarten 

Rates of Childhood PovertyData Source: Children First for Oregon

Children in Foster Care: RankingData provided by: National Kids Count

3rd Grade Reading ProficiencyData Source: Oregon Department of Education

Oregon’s Historical Early Learning System Employment Dept. Childcare Division Standards Monitoring Quality CCDBG Board of Education Commission on Children and Families Early Childhood Matters Advisory Committee (E.O.) DHS OHA Dept. of Ed OPK EI/ECSE JCPAC Health Matters JJAC Learning Matters Family Matters Early Childhood Group State Interagency Council EI/ECSE Commission for Child Care (advise, report) 36 County Commissions CCR&R HS/HF RN OPK/Head Start programs

Oregon’s Early Learning System Charting A New Course

Our Challenge

Oregon’s Developing Early Learning System

OregonEducation Goals 40% of adult Oregonians will have earned a bachelor’s degree or higher (now30%) 40% of adult Oregonians will have earned an associate’s degree or postsecondary credential (now18%) 20% of all adult Oregonians have earned at least a high school diploma, an extended or modified diploma, or the equivalent of a diploma (now42%)

Oregon’s Developing Early Learning System Goals: Kindergarten Readiness Reading at grade-level in 3rd Grade Stable and Attached Families Coordinated, Integrated System

Legislation HB 909 [2011] Created the Early Learning Council, charged with developing an outcome plan. HB 4165 [2012] Directed improvements to early learning services and delegated ELC oversight of the Early Learning System. HB 2013 [2013] Further direction for implementing. HB 3234 [2013] Creates Early Learning Division within Oregon Department of Education.

New Early Learning Structure Oregon Education Investment Board Youth Development Council Early Learning Council OHA DHS ERDC OREGON DEPT. OF EDUCATION Early Learning Division

Key Areas of focus Connection to health care Community lead system coordination (Hubs) Ensuring high quality child care Connection to K-3

Connection to Healthcare

Bridging Early Learning-Healthcare Gap Shared goal: Kindergarten readiness Shared metrics to track progress Joint staffing to support transformation Shared learning collaboratives Statewide screening and early identification

2. Work with families to identify what they need 3. Link them to who will best address their needs Community Child & Families 1. Universal Screening:Find the Children 4. Account for Outcomes

Ensuring High-Quality Childcare Early Learning and Development Programs – includes licensed center and family child care, Head Start, Oregon Pre-K, paid care in nonrelative’s home, and group activities Informal Care – Care in a child’s home by a relative or nonrelative, care in a relative’s home, and unpaid care in nonrelative’s home Only with Parents – includes children whose parents reported “no child are or educational program, paid or unpaid, for this child”

Ensuring High-Quality Childcare • Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS) • Ensure children have opportunities/access to high quality early learning environments. • Assist programs and informal care providers provide high-quality care and education. • Assist parents and caregivers find high-quality care.

QRIS: Access to Quality Supports Incentives Commitment to Quality Licensed

Connection to K-3 • Kindergarten Readiness Assessment • Pilot in 2012, 16 elementary schools and 1228 students • Statewide Rollout Fall 2013 • Looks at the whole child: literacy, early math, and self-regulation

Connection to K-3 • Early Literacy Initiative • Online and Print Materials & Curriculum • Access to School and Public Libraries • Engagement, Instruction & Professional Development Opportunities • Kindergarten Partnership & Innovation Fund • Grants to communities for innovative approaches • Promote community-school partnerships that result in measurable increase in readiness for kindergarten.

Early Learning in Oregon

“A ship is safe in harbor, but that's not what ships are for.” William G.T. Shedd

Pam Curtis Director, Center for Evidence-based Policy Chair, Early Learning Council curtispa@ohsu.edu

Early Learning In Oregon