Hello, Early Learning Leaders!

We are excited to share several resources with you that showcase innovative work from local programs and states. You can learn how the Legacy Early College in South Carolina conducted a feasibility study to explore the potential of using different funding models for preschool.

There is also a link to a report from the U.S. Government Accountability Office, which shares information on the characteristics of state early childhood education. You will not want to miss the guide from the Center on Enhancing Early Learning Outcomes for states on promoting the success of English learners.

Lastly, our Voices from the Field interviewee, Tawara Goode, discusses how she has worked throughout her career to support all young children by advancing inclusion and practices on cultural and linguistic competence.

Thank you, as always, for reading Early Learning and for the work you do!

Laurie VanderPloeg
Director
Office of Special Education Programs

Annie Hsiao
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy and Programs
Office of Elementary and Secondary Education

Legacy Early College: Preschool Pay for Success Feasibility Study Grantee

The Preschool Pay for Success (PFS) Feasibility Pilot grantees have been exploring the viability of using PFS to fund and implement preschool programs that yield positive outcomes for children. The U.S. Department of Education (ED) funded eight grantees, beginning in January 2017, including the Legacy Early College public charter school in Greenville, South Carolina. Through the work of the grant, Legacy Early College has explored how PFS could be used to fund preschool. The grantee developed a video that they are using to gain support for preschool from private investors and legislators in their state. Click on the link to learn more about the Legacy Early College grantee.

Ready To Learn Television: Creating Educational Television and Digital Media for Young Children

To support children’s early learning and school readiness, ED’s Ready To Learn Television grant has funded the development of educational television and digital media targeted at preschool and early elementary school children and their families, especially those who live in low-income communities. As part of their grant, CPB (the Corporation for Public Broadcasting) and PBS KIDS are working with producers, researchers, local public media stations, and other partners to develop, distribute, and evaluate multiplatform content, including television programs, video, interactive games, mobile apps, and hands-on activities. Researchers from Education Development Center, along with SRI International, are studying the effectiveness of these efforts. Research findings, lessons from media productions, and community outreach resources are available online.

Promoting Success for English Learners Pre-K Through Grade Three

The ED-funded Center on Enhancing Early Learning Outcomes partnered with the Council of Chief State School Officers to develop the Practical Guide for State Education Agencies to Promote Success of English Learners PreK–Grade 3. This guide aims to support state education agencies and early education partners in developing research-based policy by guiding discussion, data collection, and gap analyses of current practices and policies that can lead to more intentional decision making relative to young dual language learners and English learners.

Examining State Early Childhood Education Programs

Each year, millions of children age 5 and under participate in publicly funded early care and education (ECE) services. The U.S. Government Accountability Office recently released a report that examined the characteristics of state ECE programs, including the extent to which they share characteristics or overlap with federal or other state programs; and how states fund their ECE programs, including any related benefits and challenges reported by states. The report can be found here.

Math Is Everywhere! Supporting Math Skills in Infants and Toddlers

Early math skills are essential to children’s school readiness and later learning. The National Center on Early Childhood Development, Teaching, and Learning, funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, is hosting “Math is Everywhere: Supporting Math Skills in Infants and Toddlers” on July 11 from 3–4 p.m. EDT. The webinar will explore research on infants and toddlers’ early understanding of math concepts and discuss ways to support children's early math skills during the activities they do every day. Sign up for the webinar here.

OSEP recently released two funding opportunities:

Educational Technology, Media, and Material for Individuals With Disabilities —
Stepping-up Technology Implementation (CFDA No. 84.327S) funds projects to identify strategies needed to effectively implement technology tools that benefit children with disabilities and their families. The application deadline is July 22.

Personnel Development to Improve Services and Results for Children With Disabilities — Doctoral Training Consortia Associated with High-Intensity Needs (CFDA No. 84.325H) funds consortia of institutions of higher educations to prepare doctoral level scholars. The application deadline is July 29.

The application packages can be found on here.

Tawara Goode: Enhancing the Quality of Early Childhood Programs for All Children

We interviewed, Tawara Goode, who is an assistant professor in the Department of Pediatrics, Georgetown University Medical Center in Washington, D.C., and the director of the National Center for Cultural Competence and the Georgetown University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities. Goode discusses how, over her career, she has worked to improve the quality of early childhood programs by supporting inclusion and advancing practices on cultural and linguistic competence. We invite you to read the full interview on the OSERS Blog.

OSERS is on Twitter with the latest tweets from special education and early intervention advocates, educators, families, and students. Be sure to follow @Ed_Sped_Rehab and tell your friends. OSERS Assistant Secretary Johnny Collett has joined the conversation, too! Follow him today @JCollettOSERS. We'll see you in the Twittersphere!