The Value of PA’s Early Learning System. OCDEL promotes opportunities for all Pennsylvania...

The Value of PA’s Early Learning System

OCDEL promotes opportunities for all Pennsylvania children and families by building systems and providing supports that help ensure access to high quality child and family services.

The PA Keys to Quality works to create a quality improvement system in which all early learning programs and professionals are encouraged and supported to improve child outcomes.

PA’s Early Learning System

What does it look like

to you?

PA’s Early Learning System

What happens if a piece falls behind or out

of line?

PA’s Early Learning SystemImplements standards for higher quality & greater accountability

Targets children & families who are most in need and/or at risk

Engages families, schools, and communities to promote quality early learning opportunities

PA’s Early Learning System

1) Implements standards for higher quality & greater accountability

Standards for Higher Quality

Learning Standards

Professional Development Standards

Program Standards

Reflect evidence and research-based best practices!

Standards for Higher QualityPA Learning Standards for Early Childhood from birth through Grade 2

Used by all OCDEL programs

Aligned with 3rd-12th grade academic standards

Guides instructional practice

Supports learning in class & at home

Standards for Higher Quality

Professional Development Standards

Career Track for Professionals

Early Learning Career Lattice

PA Quality Assurance System (PQAS)

Teacher Certification / Act 48

Standards for Higher Quality

Standards for Higher QualityProgram Standards

Keystone STARSPA Pre-K CountsHead Start CertificationNurse-Family Partnership

Greater AccountabilityEarly learning data management & reporting systemUse data to improve classroom instructionUse data to identify special needsUse data to talk to familiesIncreases program efficiencyReduces fraud, waste, abuse

Greater AccountabilityEarly Learning Outcomes Reporting via approved vendor tool for online assessmentsAligns to standards, reported in early learning data management & reporting systemPrograms can share findings with community organizations & schools

Accountability = Results

Figure presents all available ECERS-R scores, including Keystone STARS, PA Pre-K Counts, and Head Start facilities. Assessments are made at the classroom level. Each data point is a single assessment of a classroom.

Accountability = ResultsKeystone STARS

Accountability = ResultsHead Start Supplemental

Accountability = ResultsPA Pre-K Counts

PA’s Early Learning System

2) Targets children & families who are most in need and/or at risk

Focus on At-RiskReducing special education needs

5.8%

8.1%

0.0%1.0%2.0%3.0%4.0%5.0%6.0%7.0%8.0%9.0%

10.0%

Districts serving the largest no. of children in PA Pre-K

Counts

Districts with no PA Pre-K Counts

Percentage of kindergartners with IEPs

Focus on At-RiskMore families of at-risk children

choose regulated care

Focus on At-Risk

Rising STARSIncentives to move to high quality STAR 3 & 4 levelsIncreased minimum enrollment of CCW subsidy children to 10% for STARS grants/awardsAdjusted tiered reimbursement for STAR 3 & 4 programs provides greater flexibility to use funds

PA’s Early Learning System

3) Engages families, schools & communities to promote quality early learning opportunities

Engages FamiliesProvides more quality early learning choices to families

Available at many locations

Expanded access via CCW

Services unified under CCIS

COMPASS online system

Quality programs available in every county

Family surveys

Engages SchoolsPartner with schools for smooth transitions to Kindergarten

Early Learning Standards aligned with 3rd-12th grade

Standards Aligned System (SAS): Professional Learning Communities (PLC)

Title I funds for school pre-k

Early Childhood Education Leadership Institute

Engages CommunitiesMaximizes impact of public resources via OCDEL

No duplication of staff, systems, or processes

Quality and accountability of ECE programs are well-aligned

Reach and Risk Report

LEARN Partners

RESOURCES:

www.pakeys.orgwww.dpw.state.pa.uswww.education.state.pa.uswww.ocdelresearch.org