2. A voluntary federal initiative that helps states build more efficient and effective early learning systems for young children--infants, toddlers & preschoolers—and their families. Not about program expansion Focus is on improving, linking & aligning Reflects Governor Shumlin’s commitment and creates an incentive for other gubernatorial leadership for early childhood systems What is the Early Learning Challenge?
6. Addresses needs of most vulnerable childrenWhat is the Early Learning Challenge? Quality as Basis for Public Investment
7. Produces better education, health, family and economic outcomes Key to increasing school readiness, academic achievement, college graduation, good citizenship and a productive workforce Help states get the most out of investments in education, health, public safety and economic development Our Vision: Why Quality Early Learning Matters
8. Vision Statement: All Vermont children will be healthy and successful. Mission Statement: All Vermont families and young children will have access to a high quality, comprehensive early childhood system that meets their needs and therefore ensures school readiness and ongoing success, self-development, health and well-being. Vermont will integrate, enhance and expand existing systems of early care, health, education and family support services to achieve this goal. Our Vision: Early Learning Challenge
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10. The federal government, through the US Depts. of Education and Health and Human Services sets guidelines
11. States are free to creatively build early learning systems that best meet the needs of local families and communities
13. Grant period: December 31, 2011 to December 31, 2015. Funding Levels: (based on population of low-income young children) Up to $100 million CA, FL, NY, TX Up to $70 million AZ, GA, IL, MI, NC, OH, PA Up to $60 million AL, CO, IN, KY, LA, MO, NJ, OK, PR, SC, TN, VA, WA, WI Up to $50 million AK, AR, CT, DE, DC, HI, ID, IA, KS, ME, MD, MA, MN, MS, MT, NE, NH, NM, NV, ND, OR, RI, SD, UT, VT, WV, WY Timeline: Applications due October 19, 2011. Total Funding Available for the Challenge: $500 million How It Works: Timeline and Funding Levels
14. Absolute Priority/Must Address: Promoting School Readiness for Children with High Needs Competitive Priority/Adds Points to Scoring: Including all Early Learning and Development Programs in the Tiered Quality Rating and Improvement System Understanding the Status of Children’s Learning and Development at Kindergarten Entry Invitational Priority/No Points to Scoring: Sustaining Program Effects in the Early Elementary Grades Encouraging Private-Sector Support How It Works: Challenge Priorities
15. 1. Successful State Systems that include: demonstrated commitment to early learning and development; rationale for reform; aligned and coordinated system; and sustainable budget. 2. High-Quality, Accountable Programs with a statewide, validated QRIS and access to high quality programs for children with high needs. 3. Promoting Early Learning and Development Outcomes for Children through early learning and development standards, comprehensive assessment system, screening and addressing health, behavioral and developmental needs and family engagement. 4. A Great Early Childhood Education Workforce that includes a clear ladder of knowledge and competencies and support for providers to move up that ladder. 5. Measuring Outcomes and Progress including kindergarten entry assessment and/or building an early learning data system. How it Works: 5 Areas that Must Be Addressed
16. Our Process and Our Approach Governor Shumlin’s office is leading Vermont’s proposal and application The Governor appointed a Collaborative Leadership Team that includes Secretary Doug Racine, Agency of Human Services Commissioner Armando Vilaseca, Department of Education Commissioner Dave Yacovone, Department for Children and Families Special Assistant to the Governor, Susan Bartlett
30. Jan Walker – Child Development Division, DCF/AHSOur Process and Our Approach
31. The Drafting Team assignment is to create a proposal that identifies key elements and strategies responsive to the grant application criteria. The Drafting Team will reach out to stakeholders across Vermont for feedback on the grant application proposal. Stakeholder input will be gathered through a variety of avenues including email, phone, website and meeting with groups. Our Process and Approach
32. Send your input to the Leadership and Drafting Teams at: VTEarlyLearningChallenge@list.education.state.vt.us (email address not yet activated – will be activated when public announcement sent by the Leadership Team – expected to be no later than 09-12-11) Website to post VT information will soon be available Grant application information can be found at the US Department of Education website: http://www2.ed.gov/programs/racetothetop-earlylearningchallenge For more information:
Editor's Notes
The Early Learning Challenge is about systems change.It is not about program expansion: it’s about improving, linking and aligning programs and services to lead to increased access to high quality experiences for vulnerable children.ELC creates an incentive that will lead to increased gubernatorial leadership for 0-5 systems.FROM THE FEDERAL GUIDANCE- USE AS COMMENTARY:Federal Perspective (from the guidance)Does not: create new early learning and development programmaintain the status quoDoes: support integration & alignment of all early learning and development resources & policies across all State agencies.provide incentives to support high-quality early learning and development programs statewide.
If this were just about dollars, it wouldn’t be a victory. We have lost federal dollars in early childhood…as have most budget areas…The victory is the federal acknowledgment and investment in changing the game. This is something EC funders have sought for more than a decade. Federal funding that invests in systemic change and infrastructure development to create and fuel a system over time. Potential to transform educational opportunities for our youngest children—and those most at risk. Not just a little more money for one program or another, but a chance to redesign, rethink, plan and build the necessary infrastructure for quality, access and sustainability.Supporting states’ focus on quality as a basis for public investment is a critical role for the Challenge.Help states strengthen infrastructure for quality early childhood education including standards, assessment, data systems.Quality Rating and Improvement Systems can provide a mechanism for defining and supporting quality and accountabilityBy linking a professional development system to QRIS we help build an effective, high quality workforce
Go to Heckman.org for supporting information for these citations.
Built upon and reflects Vermont’s early childhood stakeholder groups visions and missions such as AHS, DOE and BBF.
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States can invest in the invitational priorities.
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