Early ChildhoodProgram Evaluation

Regina Van Horne, Planning & EvaluationKate Graham, Early Childhood

January 5, 2017

School Board Presentation

1. Program goals and evaluation process

2. The results

3. Recommendations and next steps

4. School Board discussion

Agenda

2

APS Early Childhood Programs

Primary Montessori

Virginia Preschool Initiative (VPI)

Pre-K Special Education programs

• Provide effective Pre-K programs and experiences for young children and their families

• Offer Pre-K for families who may not otherwise have the opportunity

3

Schedule:

Evaluation Process

4

2014-15 Planning Year

2015-16 Data

Collection

2016-17 Final Report

Key Findings

5

Student Outcomes

Each program

• makes a positive difference for participating students

• helps students develop personal and social skills

6

• Instruction provided by each program displays strong emotional support and classroom organization within classrooms

• Teacher report higher collaboration among teachers within the same school and program

Instruction

7

Across programs:

• Students and families receive social-emotional/behavioral and practical/social supports.

• Parents report that they are satisfied with their child’s teachers.

• Teachers instruct and model healthy habits.

8

Support for the Whole Child

• Early Childhood successfully engages parents across demographic groups

• Most parents find the Pre-K application and registration process to be easy

9

Community & Parent Engagement

Recommendations and Next Steps

10

Review and recommend changes to the primary Montessori program while planning the Montessori program move to 701 S. Highland St.

Next steps:

• Ensure that all seats are filled

• Adjust fee schedule

• Determine best location(s) of satellite Montessori Pre-K classes

• Centralize registration

#1 - Montessori Program

11

Build upon and monitor the development of some key skills for Pre-K teachers.

Next steps:

• Offer professional development focused on

– quality of feedback

– language modeling

– concept development

• Strengthen and foster Montessori professional learning communities

#2 - Instruction

12

Increase the supports in the early years to prepare all students for success.

Next steps:

• Build upon the Early Childhood/Child Find partnership to meet the individual needs of students

• Look for additional opportunities for collaboration and shared professional development between programs

• Increase inclusive practices

#3 - Collaboration

13

Related Decisions

APS will use this evaluation to inform upcoming processes to:

• Revise the Admission, Enrollment and Transfer policies

• Plan for the Montessori program move to 701 S. Highland St.

Access the full report:

www.apsva.us/evaluationreports14

Early ChildhoodProgram Evaluation

Regina Van Horne, Planning & EvaluationKate Graham, Early Childhood

January 5, 2017

School Board Presentation