RACE TO THE TOP:EARLY LEARNING CHALLENGE

Overview

Nine states were awarded a Race to the Top - Early Learning Challenge Grant:

California, Delaware, MARYLAND, Massachusetts, Minnesota, North Carolina, Ohio, Rhode Island and

Washington

Project 1Establish local Early Childhood Advisory Councils in all 24 local

jurisdictions

Project Lead: Linda Zang

Project 2Implementation of a Tiered Quality

Rating and Improvement System for ALL early learning and development

programs

Project Lead: Liz Kelley

Project 3

Establishing Early Childhood Breakthrough Centers

Community Hubs

Judy Center Partnerships

Preschool for All

Coaching & Mentoring Inclusion Project

Project Lead: Rolf Grafwallner

Project 4

Statewide High Quality Early Learning and Development Standards

VIOLETS

Guide to Early Childhood Pedagogy

Project Lead: Valerie Kaufmann

Project 5Professional Development to promote the use

of early learning standards by all early learning and development programs.

Project Lead: Valerie Kaufmann

Project 6Refine Maryland’s comprehensive assessment system in early childhood, including the MMSR

Ongoing Coaching Ongoing Consultation

Communities of Practice

Pre-Administration Administration Use of Data

Assessment Tools: Screening, Developmental Learning Progression, Kindergarten/School Readiness

Audiences: i.e., Child Care Providers, Trainers, Teachers, School Administrators, District Administrators

Online/Web-based Procedural Facilitators

Online/Web-basedResources

Validation through Virtual Simulations

• Purpose of Assessment Tools

• Parent Communication• Data Security and integrity

• Administration processes/procedures

• Administrative tools/materials• Review of Student Work Samples• Performance Assessments• Use of data collection and

reporting system• Considerations for Special Needs

Populations• Training on Child Response to

Testing/Assessment

• Understanding scores• Communicating with Parents• Making Instructional

Decisions• Determining Data

Quality/Integrity

Project Lead: Rolf Grafwallner

Project 7Child Development Innovations: Early Intervention and Prevention Programs to support health and behavioral

needs

Maryland’s Early Childhood Mental Health (ECMH) Consultation Project:

For Pediatricians

Developmental Screening for all Early Learning and Development Programs and Pediatricians

Project Lead: Linda Zang

Project 8Create a Coalition for Family Engagement

Family Advisory Councils in all libraries in Title I school attendance areas & Family Information Centers

Parent-Child Learning Parties Expansion to 25% of Title 1 school attendance areas.

Project Lead: Linda Zang

Project 9Leadership Learning Academies to teach rigorous, developmentally appropriate instructional practices that support the

Common Core Standards.

Project Lead: Valerie Kaufmann

Project 10Early Care and Education Data System

MD Longitudinal Data System

Project Lead: Phil Koshkin

Next Steps

• Completed scope of work

• March 30, 2012 submission

• Federal Conference Call (SOW templates)

• Role of ECAC• Questions/comments

QuestionsRace to the Top Executive Summary:http://www.marylandpublicschools.org/MSDE/divisions/child_care/pubs

Race to the Top Press Release and Maryland’s winning application: http://www.marylandpublicschools.org/MSDE/divisions/child_care/announce

Maryland EXCELS (QRIS) draft standards for Child Care Centers, Family Child Care and School-Age Only Programs:

http://www.marylandpublicschools.org/MSDE/divisions/child_care/announce