Moving Forward Together: PITC Partners for Quality Today

1. PITC Partners for Quality Today, and Moving Forward Arlene PaxtonAdvanced Training 2014

2. Welcome • Moving Forward Together • Infant/Toddler Specialist Survey: Results and Next Steps • What is New, What is Coming? • PITC PQ Online Work • PITC PQ’s Coaching Framework: Where are we now?

3. Learning Objectives • Participants will: • Reflect on PITC PQ’s Guiding Principles. • Become informed of PITC PQ’s current activities and resources. • Be updated on the coaching framework roll-out plan.

4. PITC PQ Moving Forward • Guiding Principles • Leadership • Management • Resource Development • PITC Partners for Quality Citizenship

5. Leadership • Leadership is a process by which a person influences others to accomplish an objective and directs the organization in a way that makes it more cohesive and coherent. This standard reflects the individual’s ability to strategically anticipate trends in his/her external environment; proactively accommodate and adapt his/her day-to-day operations with the evolving needs of the external environment; and effectively lead associates in a unified manner.

6. Management • Management is the methodical approach to planning and guiding projects, staff, and one’s personal time. This standard reflects the individual’s ability to effectively manage multiple projects (e.g., budgets, tasks, and time frames) in a timely, reliable, and high quality manner; to utilize and manage staff resources under his/her supervision; and to effectively manage personal time.

7. Resource Development • Resource Development is the practice of identifying, cultivating, and securing financial and human support for an organization. This standard reflects the individual’s involvement with helping the program to secure its financial stability and continued viability.

8. PITC PQ Citizenship • This standard reflects the individual’s basic citizenship as a member of the PQ program, e.g., the individual’s participation in PQ program-related activities, the individual’s professional contribution to the PQ program, and the individual’s involvement with the general development and well-being of the PQ program.

9. Infant/Toddler Specialist Satisfaction Survey for 2013-14

10. Results 2013-14 I/T Specialist Survey Survey sent to 61 PQ Infant/Toddler Specialists Open for responses from March 7 to April 4, 2014

11. Years of Experience as I/TS

12. How have you found that observation and reflective feedback time support changes in participants' practice? “The changes they have made are incredible. This includes practices, policies, family engagement, staffing, and environment changes.” “It helps participants merge theory with practice.” “Participants often are unaware of either positive or concerning practices in their everyday work. Specialists are a new set of eyes to note what went well, what might have gone better and why for both. Once specialists and participants have formed a trusting relationship, participants are usually eager to reflect upon their work and make changes for the better.”

13. What could PITC Partners for Quality do to better support observation, reflective feedback, and other coaching strategies? Share practices among I/TSs in a facilitated learning session … discussion and sharing what works, what were hard areas to support (team discord, etc.). Create a template form as a guide that I/TSs can complete with notes and recommendations for the provider to follow up. Focus on providing reflective practice opportunities for I/TSs and Regional Coordinators themselves.

14. Frequency of Questions and I/TS Knowledge about Early Education Tools

15. Resources Needed for Early Education Tools • Crosswalk of PITC philosophy with each tool • Training: • To understand tools • On how the I/TS can support programs using the tools

16. Recommended Resources for the Partners for Quality Website • Suggested Activities • More Resources in Spanish and Chinese • More PowerPoint Presentations • Links between PQ Training Topics and the Infant/Toddler Foundations and Program Guidelines

17. Suggestions for Regional I/TS Meetings • Ongoing training, including training on technology. • More information about early learning tools and resources. • Sharing experiences, ideas, and resources among I/TSs. • Updates on ECE-related news in the local area.

18. Comments about Experience with Tools “As a PITC IT Specialist, I feel my role is often as a ‘translator’ of the tool in question, to demonstrate how best it can be utilized in improving practice. For the diverse population of care teachers with many linguistic and cultural differences, and educational background, the tools are not seen to be of use in Best Practice, as much as a test which needs passing then put away. My task is to help teachers use them for improvement and to drive curriculum, administration improvements, etc.”

19. Next Steps • Professional Development Plan for I/T Specialists that includes content and technology support • Regional Meetings • Statewide Webinars (Brown bag lunches) • Additional content on the PITC PQ website in multiple languages

20. What’s New & What’s Coming? • PITC PQ Website: • Beginning Together Manual • Content in all four PITC Modules – mid-May • Links to new resources • WestEd Systems: • New Travel System Information and Guidance

21. PITC PQ Training Online Pilot • Launched in August 2013 • Students completed in January 2014 • Currently reviewing feedback • Planning enhancements for next cohort

22. Partners for Quality Coaching Framework “Roll-Out Plan”: Where are we now? • Stage 1 – Cultivating a Common Language • Stage 2 – Complete implementation of the new model • Stage 3 – Automation of Data Collection

23. Stage 1: Cultivating a Common Language • Advanced Training 2013 – Established a baseline and common understanding. • Expanding current services/activities to include new definitions of coaching strategies.

24. Stage 2: Implementation Tools to Support the New Framework • Piloting additional coaching hours to be distributed to support program improvement planning. • Updated forms and policies to support implementation of new model. Examples include: • Quality Improvement Plans • Monthly Progress Reports • Observation Forms

25. Stage 3: Automation of Data Collection • Expanding the use of the database to collect data in new ways that streamline processes. • Providing I/T Specialists with resources needed to be effective and efficient.

26. Stage 4: Professional Development • To support quality and fidelity, PITC Partners for Quality will provide training and technical assistance on content and the use of new tools via webinars, regional meetings and advanced trainings.

27. Questions?

28. THANK YOU!