The Department of Early Education and Care 2013 Annual Legislative Report February 11, 2014

1. The Department of Early Education and Care 2013 Annual Legislative Report February 11, 2014

2. “Massachusetts has an educational, economic, and moral obligation to ensure that all students, regardless of their zip code, have the opportunity to reach their potential and achieve academic, career and lifelong success.” - Governor Patrick

3. EEC’s Mission • 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 improvements that we are trying to achieve require investments in Teacher and Program quality, screening and assessment as well as engagement of communities and families.

4. Context of Report • Statutory language requires that the Department produce a report that looks back on the prior year and reports on a number of items related to its operations. • This year’s report seeks to highlight the efforts of the Board and Department to improve operations in a number of important areas over the past year. • It also provides highlights and success stories for the many state and federally funded programs that we oversee or collaborate on.

5. Context of Report (cont’d) • The report also provides anupdateon how EEC has made progress towards meeting the Board’s Five Strategic Directions. • The Annual Report provides an opportunity to reflect on and learn from the past year and to inform the decisions being made this year. • In concert with the Special Commission’s report, the Annual Report provides a tool for policymakers to make informed decisions regarding the Department.

6. Annual Report Framework • In a break from recent practice, this report is presented in a narrative form. • This document’s structure is focused on a discussion about the Department’s efforts to enhance its operations in the past year. • It also highlights a number of initiatives currently under way as well as accomplishments from the past year.

7. Annual Report Framework (cont’d) • The report is designed to provide the casual observer with a broad overview of the Department’s day-to-day operations. • The report includes an update for the public on recent developments and projects happening within the Department. • The budget section has also been expanded given its prominence in the coming months to provide a useful reference tool.

8. Key Initiatives in 2013 Highlights of 2013 initiatives that advanced the work of EEC include: • A complete review and updating of Department practices to ensure that all policies are being followed. • The implementation of the enhanced Background Record Check law. • The development of a new system of differential licensing.

9. Key Initiatives in 2013 (cont.d) • Over 4,000 children are receiving services as a result of a targeted investment in waitlist remediation. • Information technology infrastructure improvements such as the continued development of ECIS and other enhanced functions of the Kinderwait Waitlist Application. • Continued implementation and oversight of over $50 million in projects related to the federal RTTT-ELC award.