Of Interest to All
Updates on the Unified Measurement and Improvement System - Preparing for Practice Year 1
The guidelines for Virginia’s unified measurement and improvement system were presented to the Board of Education on April 22nd, for first review. The guidelines will be reviewed again in June.
By July 2023, participation will be required for all birth-to-five programs that take public dollars (for example programs that participate in child care subsidy, Virginia Preschool Initiative, funding from Head Start, or others).
- To help prepare early childhood programs, the VDOE is supporting two practice years.
- The first practice year will take place during the school year 2021-2022, and will only be available to programs that are participating in the Preschool Development Grant (PDG).
To learn more about the development of the new Unified Measurement and Improvement system, please refer to the Building a Unified Early Childhood System website
Webinar about Practice Year 1 for School Division ECE Coordinators
On Wednesday, May 26th VDOE will host a webinar for school-based Early Childhood Coordinators to provide information about Practice Year 1 of the Unified Measurement and Improvement System. Early Childhood Coordinators (VPI coordinators, ECSE coordinators, Head Start coordinators, or others) are strongly encouraged to attend if they will be participating in Practice Year 1 through PDG, though all early childhood coordinators are welcome to attend.
- When: May 26, 2021 12 pm Eastern Time (US and Canada)
- Topic: Early Childhood Coordinator Webinar - Unified Measurement and Improvement System: Practice Year 2021-2022 Information Session for School Divisions
- Please register in advance for this webinar
A recording of the webinar will be shared through future editions of the Readiness Connections Newsletter.
Transition of Child Care to the VDOE and Expansion of Child Care Eligibility
As of July 1, 2021 the VDOE will assume oversight of child care and family day homes. This includes child care licensing, as well as the oversight of the Child Care Subsidy Program. The best source of information regarding this transition is the Building a Unified Early Childhood System website.
Available Now: NEW Opportunities for Child Care Assistance!
Now through July 31, 2021, more families than ever can join the Child Care Subsidy Program!
Families with young children are now able to qualify for child care assistance while searching for a job, and through increased income limit levels. This is an important opportunity to share with families across the Commonwealth. Learn more at childcareva.com.
Early Learning and Development Standards (ELDS): Finalized Document Now Available
The finalized Early Learning and Development Standards (ELDS), Birth-Five Learning Guidelines document has been posted to the VDOE Early Childhood Curriculum and Instruction webpage. An introductory webinar and updates regarding supplemental resources and training will also be posted and announced in future newsletters. Also forthcoming are details regarding the piloting of an ELDS micro-credential and statewide access to eLearning modules for supporting multilingual/English learners through WIDA™ Early Years. Both projects will begin Fall 2021.
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Regarding Printing and Dissemination of the ELDS: VDOE does not have immediate plans to print and disseminate copies of the current standards document. Development of an interactive, digital format is under consideration, with updates coming later this year.
Pre-K Implementation of the Virginia Kindergarten Readiness Program (VKRP) Begins Fall 2021: Updated FAQs
Beginning Fall 2021, all VPI and VECF Mixed Delivery Classrooms are required to administer the VKRP assessments to all 4-year-old students in the fall and spring. Pre-K classrooms in public schools that are not funded by VPI (ECSE, Head Start, Title I or other locally supported pre-K classrooms) and other pre-K programs may choose to provide the VKRP assessments to their 4-year-old students, but it is not required. The VKRP will be piloted for 3-year-olds this fall with anticipated statewide participation expected in Fall 2022.
Other EC Resources and Professional Development Opportunities
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ECE Resource Hub: May's ECE Resource Hub Focus Topic: Self Confidence. To learn more about how you can build your capacity to better foster children’s social-emotional skills, sign up for the Early Childhood Education (ECE) Resource Hub today.
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Final Preview Session for New Series on Supporting Language Development and Multilingual/English Learners- May 26: To support a focus on language development within the early childhood years, VDOE’s Early Childhood and English Learner Instruction Programs will co-host a monthly webinar series beginning Fall 2021. The last of two preview sessions will occur on Wednesday, May 26 at 3:30 p.m. Colleagues from the Alexandria City Public Schools Early Childhood Team will share how they are supporting multilingual/English learners. Register to attend.
EC Coordinators Collaborative Meeting
The VDOE offered the EC Coordinators Collaborative Spring Meeting on April 21, 2021. The purpose was to deliver key state updates and resources for pre-K providers across all early childhood education programs that serve the most vulnerable children with limited access to opportunities. The link to the recording is provided below.
Project HOPE-Virginia: Parent Pack Folders
Project HOPE-Virginia is Virginia’s program for the education of homeless children and youth. Project HOPE-VA offers Parent Pack folders created for parents and families with young children experiencing homelessness. The Parent Pack folders help families maintain important documents for their child. The resources include a flyer for the CDC’s Developmental Milestone Tracker app, a bookmark with a tip for reading to your child, an informational brochure with rights and resources for families and children experiencing homelessness, and the “Virginia’s Early Intervention and Public Preschool Programs” pamphlet. Any program serving young children in Virginia can order these Parent Packs, free of charge, by completing the Project HOPE-VA order form.
For VPI
2021-2022 VPI Application Due on May 15
Superintendent’s Memo #104-21 provides details regarding submission of the VPI Application by May 15, 2021. This application includes both the projected number of 4-year-old slots the division plans to fill for 2021-2022 and the VPI Pilot for 3-Year-Olds application.
VPI Virtual Instruction Guidance for 2021-22
VPI aims to provide a quality preschool experience for eligible preschool aged students. Quality early childhood learning depends on in-person interactions and social experiences for young children and their peers. Dr. Lane, Superintendent of Public Instruction, sent this Superintendent’s Email to all division superintendents providing guidance for VPI Virtual Instruction for 2021-22. Please read carefully as your division makes decisions regarding VPI instructional offerings for 2021-2022.
New Monthly VPI Office Hours
Beginning in June 2021, VPI will have standing office hours the first Thursday of each month at 11 am. This is a time for VPI Coordinators to join to ask questions or brainstorm ideas.
VPI Coordinator Community Connection Groups
For the 2021-2022 school year the Office of Early Childhood is introducing VPI Coordinator Community Connection Groups. This is an optional program that allows VPI coordinators to self-identify their program in a variety of categories. The Office of Early Childhood staff will then create email lists for each group and share with the coordinators. This will allow VPI program leaders to connect with each other on a variety of topics such as: resource sharing, brainstorming/problem solving, and sharing successes/challenges. Please complete the VPI Coordinator Community Groups Survey to join!
VPI Monitoring for 2021-2022
Given the unprecedented nature of the 2020-2021 school year, VDOE suspended the normal monitoring process for VPI. An alternative monitoring process was put into place for all VPI programs. For the 2021-2022 school year VDOE will resume regular VPI monitoring with selected school divisions. A Superintendent’s Email will be sent to division superintendents of selected school divisions with copies to associated VPI Coordinators.
A VPI Monitoring Webinar will be held on Tuesday, August 17 starting at 10:30 am. VPI Coordinators of selected school divisions are expected to attend and all VPI Coordinators are invited to attend. Participants must register in advance. The webinar will be recorded.
For ECSE
Pre-K and Toddler CLASS Observer Trainings Offered by the VDOE
The VDOE is supporting school divisions in building capacity to use the Classroom Assessment Scoring System (CLASS™) in all pre-K classrooms. To support these goals, the VDOE is pleased to announce CLASS™ training for the purpose of building local capacity to implement CLASS™ observations in classrooms with children with IEPs. Anyone participating in the training must complete observations in self-contained early childhood special education classrooms. Training will be held virtually and are available for both the pre-K and Toddler CLASS™. Participants are to take the online reliability test after the training to become eligible to conduct local CLASS™ observations. Participants must attend two days of training to be eligible to receive a certificate of completion and to take the reliability test. Space for each training session is limited and will be filled on a first come basis. Registration is limited to two individuals from a school division unless additional space is available. Each individual may sign up for either the pre-K or Toddler training.
Reminder to Register! Online Webinar: Considerations for a Smooth and Timely Transition from Part C to Part B
Want to know more about the Transition from Early Intervention (Part C) to Early Childhood Special Education (Part B)? What are the regulations? What can be decided locally? What makes a child eligible for each program? How can the two systems collaborate to support families? Find out at this online webinar presented by Dawn Hendricks (Early Childhood Special Education Coordinator, VDOE) and Sarah Moore (Monitoring Consultant ITC of Virginia, DBHDS)!
Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) Program Administrator Webinar (Recorded Event)
On April 29, The Office of Early Childhood offered a webinar focused on Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) data and making quality program improvements. The recording and PowerPoint are available for review.
Co-Teaching Webinar Series with Dr. Marilyn Friend
Due to an overwhelming response to the 2020 webinar series with Dr. Marilyn Friend where over 1,000 teachers attended, the VDOE has invited Dr. Friend to return for a three part 90-minute co-teaching webinar series in June. The series will focus on specially-designed instruction in the general education classroom, including strategies and techniques to use across grade levels in reading, writing, mathematics, and behavior. All sessions are from 9 am to 10:30 am.
2021 International Early Childhood Inclusion Institute
The International Early Childhood Inclusion Institute has become one of the premier educational opportunities for anyone involved in the care and education of young children with special needs in inclusive settings. For 20 years, the Institute has drawn people from across the nation and around the world to learn about the latest research findings, models, and resources that guide inclusive policy, professional development, and practice; to develop collaborative relationships and cross-agency systems that support early childhood inclusion; and to have the opportunity to meet, learn from, and problem solve with peers. This year’s conference is virtual.
For Head Start
Celebrate Head Start’s 56th Birthday
Join in a celebration of Head Start’s 56th birthday with the Director of the Office of Head Start Dr. Bernadine Futrell and special guest Dr. Carol Brunson Day (co-author of the Anti-Bias Curriculum). They will discuss ways that high quality early childhood education services for children and families can drive equity. Dr. Futrell will also look at Head Start successes, current opportunities, and the commitment to the work in the future. Please join in celebrating Head Start’s history and foundation in providing the most comprehensive services to children and families.
Mental Health Mondays
In recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month, the National Center on Health, Behavioral Health and Safety will share updated resources to support the health and well-being of children, families, and staff members every Monday in May. Explore access to all the resources that include links to articles, videos, and tools to understand stress, trauma, support resilience, promote healing and recovery on the early childhood learning and knowledge center website.
EC in the Spotlight
Highlight on PDG B-5 Communities
Virginia’s federal Preschool Development Grant Birth through Five (PDG B-5) is focused on accelerating the development of an equitable early childhood system that delivers stable, affordable and quality early care and education for the state’s families and children, particularly those who are most vulnerable and will benefit the most.
PDG B-5 Communities are continuing to lead the way in building a unified and collaborative birth-five system. This month, PDG communities are focused on:
- Engaging new partners that have been identified in their plans for expansion for 2021-2022. View the updated PDG-MAP to see how PDG coverage has expanded. Additional communities will be added in June with the announcement of Cohort 3.
- Planning strategies to increase family engagement based on results of community level self-assessments.
- Sharing the exciting news that all participants in the Teacher Recognition Program will receive an additional $500 dollars this year, increasing the total to be $2,000 for each qualifying educator!
- Conducting local spring CLASS™ observations and feedback sessions in every participating classroom.
- Preparing for the practice year of the Unified Measurement and Improvement system. (PDG communities will be the first programs to participate in the practice years).
For more information about Virginia’s PDG B-5 grant and to view a list of the current PDG B-5 communities, visit the Virginia Early Childhood Foundation website.
Opportunities for Preschool Programs
LENA Grow: Over the past year Child Development Resources and Virginia Beach GrowSmart have been using LENA Grow, a job-embedded professional development program, to support early childhood teachers and family child care providers. Through this program, providers are building capacity to provide the highest quality language development environment possible.
For more information on LENA Grow contact Caitlyn at CaitlynStafford@lena.org. There is also a current grant opportunity for initial program implementation; more information about these launch funds can be found on the LENA Grow website.
Waterford UPSTART: Portsmouth City Public Schools has used the Waterford Early Learning Program (4:24 video) in its preschool centers to further support four-year-olds in developing school readiness skills. The Waterford Upstart Summer Learning Path program is being piloted in Virginia this summer at no cost to families. Families can apply now through May 31.
Waterford Upstart Summer Program Resources:
*Flyers in additional languages can be provided. Contact Gracie Blaising at gracieblaising@waterford.org with requests and for additional information.
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