eNotes
June 3, 2016In this Issue:
- Joint Statement and Toolkit on Dual Language Learners in Early Childhood Programs Source: U.S. Departments of Education and Health and Human Services - June 2, 2016
- Upcoming! Early Intervention Webinar on Engaging Families to Focus on Intervention Strategies Source: Military Families Learning Network - June 3, 2016
- Development and Implementation of Quality Rating Improvement Systems Source: American Institutes for Research - June 3, 2016
1. Joint Statement and Toolkit on Dual Language Learners in Early Childhood Programs
A new joint Policy Statement on Supporting the Development of Children Who Are Dual Language Learners in Early Childhood Programs was released by U.S. Departments of Education and Health and Human Services on June 2, 2016. The policy statement provides recommendations for early childhood programs and states to promote the development and learning of young children, birth to age five, who are learning two or more languages at the same time.
A corresponding Dual Language Learners Toolkit from the Office of Head Start has also been released. It provides resources on supporting the learning and development of dual language learners at home, in early learning settings, and in the community. It is organized into sections for: (1) administrators and managers; (2) teachers, caregivers, and family services staff; and (3) families.
In addition to these new federal resources, see this fact sheet from the White House, FACT SHEET: Supporting Dual Language Learners in Early Learning Settings (June 2, 2016), which highlights plans to support young DLLs that were presented by other organizations during a recent meeting hosted by the White House Domestic Policy Council, Too Small to Fail, and the Invest in US campaign.
2. Upcoming! Early Intervention Webinar on Engaging Families to Focus on Intervention Strategies
On June 23, 2016 at 11 a.m. EST the Military Families Learning Network (MFLN) is hosting a free 90 minute webinar entitled Engaging Families to Focus on Intervention Strategies, presented by Dr. Carol Trivette. The webinar will help Early Intervention (EI) providers, private therapists, and other professionals working with young children with disabilities think about their interactions with the child's family and how those interactions strengthen a family's ability to support their child's learning. To register and for more information go to https://learn.extension.org/events/2587.
The MFLN also offers recorded Family Development Webinars for EI professionals that provide free continuing education (CE) credits in several states. For questions, please contact Robyn DiPietro-Wells at rrwells@illinois.edu
3. Development and Implementation of Quality Rating Improvement Systems
A Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS) is a method for assessing and improving the quality of early care and education programs for young children, increasing parents' understanding of and access to quality child care, and enhancing the professional development of early care and education providers. A recent study examined Quality Rating and Improvement Systems across the Midwest Region in order to learn more about approaches that states use in developing and implementing a QRIS. The purpose was to create a resource for QRIS administrators to use as they refine their systems over time. See Development and Implementation of Quality Rating and Improvement Systems in Midwest Region States (June 2016) for a report of the findings.