Hello, Early Learning Leaders!

The U.S. Department of Education (ED) is quite busy this summer, especially in preparing for our upcoming grantee meetings. This includes the OSEP Project Directors' Conference on July 23–25. We also have our Improving Data, Improving Outcomes meeting coming up Aug. 14–16. This is hosted by the OSEP-funded DaSy Center (Center for IDEA Early Childhood Data Systems), and brings together state coordinators and data managers for the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Part C and Part B, Section 619 (preschool). Both of these events will be held in Arlington, Virginia. We look forward to interacting with many of you at these events! 

Below we've spotlighted some incredible stories and successes from the field, and shared new resources, many of which come from our partners at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Thank you, as always, for reading Early Learning and for the work you do!

The primary goal of the Tennessee Department of Education’s (TNDOE) Preschool Development Grant (PDG) program is to substantially expand access to high-quality pre-K in two high-need communities in the state. In addition to increasing the number of children accepted into these pre-K programs, TNDOE will invest in their quality. This includes increased professional development at the state level; starting an innovative coaching program based in Nashville, Tennessee; and implementing the following activities:

• an annual Early Childhood Summit for program directors across the state to support their quality improvement work and allow them to share best practices
• quality assessments of every PDG and Voluntary Pre-K classroom in the state, providing TNDOE with a quality measurement based on national standards and using a standardized tool
• a robust data management system that allows the state to integrate information from early learning programs across multiple platforms
• regional communities of practice to support TNDOE’s work with districts

This year’s Early Childhood Summit will take place on July 23 and feature sessions from early childhood experts on coaching, inclusion, kindergarten entry inventory, and many other topics. We invite you to read more about TNDOE's efforts to strengthen early learning programs that build a foundation for academic success on its website. 

OSEP recently released two funding opportunities to train and prepare personnel in early intervention, special education, and related services: 1) Preparation of Special Education, Early Intervention, and Related Services Leadership Personnel (CFDA No. 84.325D) funds doctoral degree preparation; and 2) Interdisciplinary Preparation in Special Education, Early Intervention, and Related Services for Personnel Serving Children with Disabilities who have High-Intensity Needs (CFDA No.84.325K) funds master’s degree, educational specialist degree, or clinical doctoral degree preparation. The applications can be found here; the deadline for both competitions is July 30, 2018.

OSEP's network of early childhood technical assistance (TA) centers is offering a variety of new opportunities to build individual and state capacity around the implementation of IDEA for young children, with or at-risk for disabilities, from birth through age 5. This handy list can help states consider which TA opportunities best fit individual state needs and priorities.

Last month, the Center on Enhancing Early Learning Outcomes (CEELO) and Illinois Action for Children co-hosted the Cost of Quality Early Learning Think Tank convening. Participants, including state and local leaders, advocates, and national experts who are engaged in cost studies of early learning programs, discussed using cost data to inform and drive policy decisions on financing high-quality early learning programs.

They also discussed the approaches needed to move the field toward adequate and stable funding of high-quality early learning programs. A forthcoming report will summarize highlights and identify recommendations. More information, including a full list of participants and convening materials, can be found here.

We invite you to view a webinar, which will soon be archived here, from the Institute of Education Sciences-funded Regional Educational Laboratory Southwest on selecting and implementing early learning inventories (ELIs), including advice and lessons learned from three states. 

ELIs, also known as kindergarten-entry or readiness assessments, help educators understand children’s knowledge, skills, and behaviors at the start of kindergarten and target areas that may need support. In the webinar, presenters shared their experiences, decision-making processes, and lessons learned about selecting and implementing state ELIs, as well as an overview of the research base behind ELIs. The webinar is designed for state and district early childhood program directors and coordinators as well as other early childhood practitioners interested in this topic.

This month, we invite you to read the hopeful and helpful story of Rene Averitt-Sanzone's family and their experiences with hearing impairment. Averitt-Sanzone is the executive director of The Parents' Place of Maryland, an OSEP-funded parent training and information center. In her post on the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services Blog, she shares the ups and downs of her family's journey: discovering, screening for, and coming to terms with hearing impairment; and advocating for and watching the incredible successes of her remarkable daughters.