eNotes
February 13, 2015In this Issue:
- New Video on Supporting Inclusion As Early As Possible Source: Desired Results access Project - February 9, 2015
- Final Rule on Head Start Eligibility Determination Published Source: Office of Head Start - February 10, 2015
- Report Highlights Successes of the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program Source: CLASP - February 11, 2015
- Early Learning Model Included in Final Requirements for School Improvement Grants Source: U.S. Department of Education - February 9, 2015
1. New Video on Supporting Inclusion As Early As Possible
The Desired Results access Project recently published a new video on supporting inclusion beginning as early as possible. The video can be viewed online or downloaded at no cost for use in educational and professional development activities from the General Interest section of Desired Results' online Video Library.
- Team Lydia Rose: Supporting Inclusion Every Day in Every Way (16:18) illustrates how inclusive practices should begin as early as possible and illustrates a range of topics including inclusion, collaboration and teamwork between general and special educators, family-centered early intervention in natural environments, coaching, embedded instruction, family leadership, and more. It has important messages for families who are, or will be, receiving early intervention services, for current and future early intervention practitioners, and for early childhood educators.
The Desired Results access Project, Napa County Office of Education, is funded by the California Department of Education, Special Education Division. Many thanks to Lydia Rose's family, the HOPE Infant Family Support Program, and the Child Development Center at Mira Costa College for their partnership in telling this story.
2. Final Rule on Head Start Eligibility Determination Published
On February 10, 2015, a Final Rule related to the Head Start program was published in the Federal Register. This final rule amends two sections of Head Start eligibility regulations within the Head Start Program Performance Standards, Section 1305, to clarify and strengthen procedures for determining eligibility for Head Start program enrollment, including procedures to document and verify eligibility. The intent is to ensure that the neediest families receive Head Start services first. Section 1305 has been updated accordingly on the Early Childhood Learning and Knowledge Center (ECLKC) webpage. This final rule becomes effective March 12, 2015.
3. Report Highlights Successes of the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program
CLASP has published a new report highlighting how funding from the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting (MIECHV) program has helped to expand home visiting services to vulnerable families - including in hard-to-reach rural areas and tribal communities. Based on interviews with 20 states and 2 tribal organizations, An Investment in Our Future: How Federal Home Visiting Funding Provides Critical Support for Parents and Children, (February 2015) shows how federal MIECHV funding is being used to expand home visiting services while also building the infrastructure to support well-coordinated and effective home visiting programs. It was written in collaboration with the Center for American Progress.
4. Early Learning Model Included in Final Requirements for School Improvement Grants
On February 9, 2015, the U.S. Department of Education published Final Requirements for the School Improvement Grants (SIGs) , Title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965. Section I.A.2(f) allows an LEA to use SIG funds to implement an early learning intervention model in an elementary school. The final requirements also allow local educational agencies (LEAs) to implement additional interventions; provide flexibility for rural LEAs; and extend the grant period from three to five years. They are effective March 11, 2015. Some of the requirements for elementary schools implementing an early learning model include:
- Offer full-day kindergarten;
- Establish or expand a high-quality preschool program;
- Provide educators, including preschool teachers, with time for joint planning across grades;
- Use data to identify and implement an instructional program that is research-based, developmentally appropriate, and vertically aligned from one grade to the next as well as aligned with State early learning and development standards and State academic standards;
- Promote the full range of academic content across domains of development, including math and science, language and literacy, socio-emotional skills, self-regulation, and executive functions;
- Promote the continuous use of student data to inform and differentiate instruction;
- Provide staff ongoing, high-quality, job-embedded professional development such as coaching and mentoring.