KSB Newsletter July 25, 2024
News from The Kindergarten Sturdy Bridge (KSB) Learning Community
KSB Spotlight
Voices from the Field: Interview with Olivia Christensen. Read about a KSB participant, Olivia Christensen, as she describes the work happening in Minnesota. In this US Department of Education blog post, Dr. Christensen shares information about the ways in which kindergarten is a sturdy bridge, in particular the transition into kindergarten.
New Resources from KSB
In April, KSB hosted Afternoon Learning Breaks with two of our partners, the Center for Disease Control and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting/PBS Kids Ready to Learn Initiative. The recordings can be viewed on our webpage.
- The Center for Disease Control Routine vaccinations are a great tool to keep kindergartners healthy, in school, and ready to learn: Center for Disease Control (CDC) data show that kindergartner vaccination coverage has steadily declined in the past few years to the lowest percentage in the last decade, leaving an estimated 750,000 young learners that entered kindergarten during the pandemic susceptible to vaccine-preventable diseases. A recent uptick in measles cases and outbreaks underscores the risk that under and unvaccinated children face for serious illnesses. In this presentation, you can learn how education providers can support getting school-aged children back on track with their routine immunizations.
- Corporation for Public Broadcasting/PBS Kids Ready to Learn Initiative: The Ready to Learn Initiative has created a wealth of content informed by subject matter experts and aligned to curriculum frameworks and learning standards to support children’s learning at home, in school, and in other community settings. In this presentation, learn about how communities and schools are using these resources and improving outcomes for students.
Resources from the Field
Artificial Intelligence
- AI Guidance for Schools Toolkit This toolkit is designed to help education authorities, school leaders, and teachers create thoughtful guidance to help their communities realize the potential benefits of incorporating artificial intelligence (AI) in primary and secondary education while understanding and mitigating the potential risks. Policy examples include curriculum support (such as use of AI for differentiating learning) and teacher support, among other topics.
- Grade Band Progression Charts Since 2018 the AI4K12 Initiative has been developing national guidelines for teaching AI in K-12. The AI for K-12 guidelines are organized around the 5 Big Ideas in AI: perception, representation and reasoning, learning, natural interaction, and societal impact. Each of the 5 Big Ideas has a draft progressions chart that includes K-2. All of the progression charts are open for public comment and feedback is requested.
Data Systems
- 50-State Comparison: Statewide Longitudinal Data Systems Education Commission of the States has created a comprehensive, updated resource about Statewide Longitudinal Data Systems (SLDS). This updated 50-State Comparison relies exclusively on publicly available and up-to-date information.
English Learners
- Operationalizing High-Quality Dual Language Programs This new report from the Children’s Equity Project, in partnership with The Century Foundation and dozens of research and practitioner partners, operationalizes high-quality dual language education for young emergent bilinguals. It uses a seven-part comprehensive framework that includes programmatic structures, curriculum and assessment, language allocation, family leadership and engagement, and more.
- Case Studies: Dual Language Programs in Early Learning and the Early Grades This companion report highlights common themes from 11 dual language programs, including infant/toddler, preschool, and elementary school programs. These highlights provide important insights into the implementation of dual language education, including existing strengths and potential bright spots.
Family Partnerships and Engagement
- Home-School Connection, Cultural Responsiveness: Bridge Kindergarten Racial/Ethnic Gaps A recent study explored ways to close racial and ethnic gaps that emerge early in a child’s life and persist through kindergarten. Closing these gaps ensures that all students have access to the same quality education and opportunities for future success. Read more about the study to learn about the ways in which culturally responsive practices can address this issue.
Kindergarten Policies and Programming
- Looping with Students: When it Works and When it Doesn't This brief article describes teachers' thoughts regarding the benefits and challenges they experience when "looping" with students.
- Learning, Joy, and Equity: A New Framework for Elementary Education This just-released report proposes a new framework for elementary education that builds on, and is informed by, previous foundational efforts that have centered on children and the ways in which they learn. Guided by research, data, learnings from schools across the United States, parent and family voice, and a desire to design child-centered, joyful, and effective spaces for learning, the report provides a framework that consists of 14 core ingredients.
P-3 Alignment
- US Department of Health and Human Services Information Memorandum about Using the Child Care and Development Fund to Promote the Mental Health and Well-being of Children, Families, and the Child Care Workforce Although this new Information Memorandum focuses on Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) lead agencies, it includes many linked resources that may be helpful to develop aligned and comprehensive P-3 systems.
Transition into Kindergarten
- Evaluation of the First 10 Pilot This report describes the First 10 Pilot in Michigan, designed to prepare children to enter kindergarten and improve transitions to school. This brief describes the findings from the evaluation, which focused on the initiative’s first year of implementation, including successes and challenges. Information about specific selected strategies is included.
- First 10 in Rhode Island: Evaluation Findings This report describes the second year of implementation in three communities in Rhode Island. It includes successful strategy implementation in each community.
The Kindergarten Sturdy Bridge (KSB) Learning Community is funded in response to the current challenges and to support the U.S. Department of Education's efforts to focus attention and resources on when they enter school for the first time (a critical point in a child's education), and ensure that all children, including historically underserved children such as those from under-resourced backgrounds, those with developmental delays or disabilities, and young English learners, experience success in kindergarten.
