eNotes
June 19, 2015In this Issue:
- Major Proposed Changes to Head Start Performance Standards - Open for Comment Source: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services - June 19, 2015
- Inequalities at the Starting Gate - Early Education Gaps by Social Class and Race Source: Economic Policy Institute - June 17, 2015
- Understanding the Effects of Maltreatment on Brain Development Source: Children's Bureau, Child Welfare Information Gateway - June 16, 2015
- New Video Illustrates the Importance of Inclusion for All Children Source: Desired Results Access Project - June 3, 2015
- Updated! Early Childhood State Profiles and Young Child Risk Calculator Source: National Center for Children in Poverty - June 18, 2015
1. Major Proposed Changes to Head Start Performance Standards - Open for Comment
On June 17, 2015, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) unveiled the first holistic revision of the Head Start Program Performance Standards since they were originally published in 1975. The Notice of Proposed Rule Making was published in the Federal Register on June 19, 2015 and is open for comment until August 18, 2015. The proposed rule sets an expectation that all Head Start programs serve preschoolers for a full school day and a full school year; raises standards to reflect current research on brain development, early learning, and effective practice; builds teacher skills and improves classroom performance through a system of evidence-based, individualized professional development; and reduces regulatory burden. View the news release and more information about the revised standards and comment process online.
2. Inequalities at the Starting Gate - Early Education Gaps by Social Class and Race
A new report from the Economic Policy Institute explores the gaps that exist even before children enter kindergarten by social class and race/ethnicity in both cognitive skills (math, reading, and executive function) and noncognitive skills (self-control, approaches to learning, and interactions with teachers and peers). Findings indicate that social class is the single most influential factor on how ready children are to learn when they enter kindergarten. Race-based gaps decrease significantly when socioeconomic status is taken into account. See Early Education Gaps by Social Class and Race for a summary of the report's major findings and infographics on skill gaps in kindergarten. Download the full report, Inequalities at the Starting Gate Cognitive and Noncognitive Skills Gaps between 2010-2011 Kindergarten Classmates (June 2015), here.
3. Understanding the Effects of Maltreatment on Brain Development
A new brief, Understanding the Effects of Maltreatment on Brain Development (2015), provides basic information about brain development and the effects of abuse and neglect on that development. It is meant to help professionals understand the emotional, mental, and behavioral impact of early abuse and neglect on children who come to the attention of the child welfare system.
4. New Video Illustrates the Importance of Inclusion for All Children
A new video on early childhood inclusion has been posted in the General Interest section of California's Desired Results access Project Video Library. The video illustrates how essential early childhood inclusion is for all children, including those who cannot be in close proximity to other children because of health concerns. It can be viewed online and downloaded at no cost for use in educational and professional development activities.
- Getty's Window to Inclusion: The Chance To Be Just Like Any Other Kid (Runtime 14:55 minutes) - In this video, Kate Mathany describes how her daughter Getty virtually attends a typical preschool classroom every day using a device called a VGo. Kate and Eileen Sedilko, Getty's preschool teacher, illustrate how Getty's school day works from both home and classroom perspectives. They discuss preschool inclusion, parent leadership, the use of adaptations, collaboration, teamwork, and the benefits of inclusion for all children, families, and teachers.
5. Updated! Early Childhood State Profiles and Young Child Risk Calculator
The National Center for Children in Poverty (NCCP) recently updated the following resources:
- Early Childhood State Profiles (updated May 2015)- These state profiles provide a comprehensive view of state policies in the areas that affect the health and well-being of young children in low-income families.
- The Young Child Risk Calculator (updated June 2015) - This online tool shows users how many children under age six in each state are experiencing serious risks to their development. The tool allows users to select from three age groups (0-3, 3-5, and 0-6), three economic risk factors (extreme poverty, poverty, low-income) and other risk factors known to affect children's development.