Texas Early Childhood Education Coalition News Feed

Responding to the Needs of Young Latino Children: State Efforts to Build Comprehensive Early Learning Systems

Wed, 31 Dec 1969 17:59:59 GMT

Recent policy developments and investments in early care and education (ECE) reflect a renewed commitment to improving the school readiness and, ultimately, the school success of young children. Most importantly, these new proposals present a prime opportunity to incentivize states to design early learning systems that meet the needs Latino children. This white paper examines how states are working to build comprehensive early learning standards and to address issues of professional development to ensure the success of Latino and English language learner children and families. Based on interviews with state leaders, the white paper reveals that states have a long way to go to develop early learning programs that are responsive to the needs of Latino and English language leaner children and families.

You can download the report HERE

2010-2011 National Head Start Fellowship Applications Now Being Accepted

Wed, 31 Dec 1969 17:59:59 GMT

The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) is pleased to announce that applications for the 2010-2011 National Head Start Fellowships are now being accepted. Information about the fellowships program and the online application materials can be found at the Early Childhood Learning and Knowledge Center (ECLKC)

The National Head Start Fellowship Program brings together experienced and dedicated professionals who support the ACF in developing and implementing long-term quality improvement initiatives. Through these fellowships, outstanding leaders in the early childhood community have the opportunity to gain first-hand experiences that offer a national perspective into the operations of ACF and other federal agencies serving children and families. In addition to work assignments, the Fellows will participate in professional education and leadership development programs.

The 12-month fellowships commence October 1, 2010 and end on September 30, 2011. Applications are due by April 1, 2010.

State Rep. Diane Patrick Speaks on the Veto of HB 130.

Wed, 31 Dec 1969 17:59:59 GMT

Many states confronting fiscal deficits have put pre-K expansion on hold or cut services. Texas, with its energy-rich economic base, was almost an exception. Last year, the Texas Legislature approved HB 130, a bill providing $300 million to expand full-day pre-K to 7,000 more kids and improve quality by reducing child-adult classroom ratios and phasing in higher teacher qualifications. In a move that surprised many, Governor Rick Perry vetoed the bill even though it enjoyed the broadest bipartisan support of any bill in the Legislature and was sponsored by fellow Republican Diane Patrick. As a result, pre-K's funding increase was cut to $25 million. Preschool Matters asked Representative Patrick, a former teacher, what she thinks about preschool education in Texas and the chances of revisiting her bill.

Read the interview from NIEER HERE.

Letter to All Stakeholders Regarding Early Childhood Intervention Eligibility Criteria

Wed, 31 Dec 1969 17:59:59 GMT

From the Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services

In December 2008, stakeholders representing various perspectives on the Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services (DARS) Early Childhood Intervention Program (ECI) were invited to participate in a two-day meeting in Austin. The goal of the meeting was to develop stakeholder-driven recommendations for potential changes to ECI eligibility criteria in the event that there was no increase in funding for the program in the 2010-11 biennium.

Looking ahead to the 2012-13 biennium, we again face the possibility that ECI services cannot continue to be delivered at current funding levels. Should that occur, a narrowing of eligibility for the program remains one of several options being considered. DARS conducted eight statewide meetings in January to allow stakeholders, especially families who have received ECI services, to share their ideas on how we might best use limited dollars to provide the services most important to children and families.

These efforts are part of a voluntary, comprehensive internal evaluation of the ECI program. The information gathered will help DARS provide valuable information to legislators as they consider the agency's funding request for ECI for the 2012-13 biennium. DARS anticipates a significant funding request and, coupled with the economic challenges facing the state, we must be prepared to offer alternative service levels in ECI consistent with available resources.

Some people have expressed concern that a narrowing of ECI eligibility is imminent, but that is not the case. The General Appropriations Act, 81R, Article II Sec. 47, prohibits the agency from narrowing eligibility in ECI during the current biennium without direction from the Health and Human Services Commission, the Legislative Budget Board and Governor's Office. Likewise, future decisions regarding changes to ECI eligibility will be conditioned on direction from the legislature.

Now that the public comment period is over we will focus on the next phase of the evaluation, in which we examine our contract structure with providers and explore ways to maximize funding while adhering to parameters imposed by Federal and State regulations. We are committed to investigating every available option to ensure maximum benefits for children who are in need of our services.

I would like to thank the parents, physicians and providers who spent several days together developing the recommendations presented for public comment, and the hundreds of people who attended and provided testimony at the hearings or submitted written comments. Your concern for children with developmental delays and your support for ECI is very evident and much appreciated. Our goal is to safeguard ECI's long term viability while ensuring alignment with the strengths and priorities of the program.

Thank you again for your continued support and interest.

Sincerely,

Terrell I. Murphy Commissioner

Kickapoo Traditional Tribe of Texas first Native American tribe to achieve Texas School Ready! certification

Wed, 31 Dec 1969 17:59:59 GMT

Inside a meeting room on the Kickapoo Traditional Tribe of Texas (KTTT) reservation, a warm welcome awaits John Gasko, Ph.D., and his colleagues from The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston's Children's Learning Institute. The Houston contingent joins state lawmakers, superintendents, school board members, mayors from neighboring towns, educators, parents, children and a large contingent of tribal administrators and members, including Chairman of the Tribal Council Juan Garza, Jr.

To read the whole story click HERE

Attend a listening session related to the Maternal and Child Health Services Title V Block Grant

Wed, 31 Dec 1969 17:59:59 GMT

During January and February 2010, the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) and the Public Policy Research Institute (PPRI) at Texas A&M University will be hosting public forums across the state to seek public comment on the stakeholder input process and the proposed Title V priorities that will help guide the continued use of Title V funds by DSHS over the next five years

The sessions will be held during the months of March, April, May and June 2009, in the following 25 Texas counties: Lubbock, Scurry, Brown, Gaines, Eastland, Hidalgo, Potter, Harris, Wharton, Lamar, Madison, Webb, El Paso, Dallas, Navarro, Jim Wells, Jasper, Kleberg, Gonzales, Bexar, Falls, Travis, Panola, Tom Green and Red River.

The sessions are expected to identify the needs for the MCH population, including the CSHCN population. Information collected from the sessions will be used to develop the long range priorities and plans for the use of Title V funds in the state of Texas. Collected information will help DSHS identify opportunities for collaboration / integration among programs within local and relevant state agencies serving women, children, adolescents, and children and youth with special health care needs.

For more information please and to see a calendar of forums visit the Title V Needs Assessment Study in Texas website

RSVP now for the 1st meeting of the State Advisory Council on Early Childhood Education and Care

Wed, 31 Dec 1969 17:59:59 GMT

The first meeting for the State Advisory Council will be Wednesday, January 13, 2010. The public meeting will be held from 10:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M. at room 1505-C of the University Center Tower building of the University of Texas Health Science Center Houston, located at 7000 Fannin St, Houston, TX 77030.

You can RSVP HERE

In October 2009, Governor Rick Perry appointed 18 members to the State Advisory Council.

This council is designed to bring together top decision makers for collective discussion about how to better coordinate services so that young children have the supports in place that they need. The Council provides an excellent opportunity to leverage federal investment, it can be an outstanding forum in which to build support for early learning, and should be viewed as a means to an end.

The members of the council are as follows:

Michael Berry, Office of the Governor

Denise Brady, Texas Health & Human Services Commission

LaShonda Brown, Texas Head Start State Collaboration Office

Mary Capello, TMC Teaching and Mentoring Communities

Deborah Cody, Mount Pleasant Independent School District

Gina Day, Texas Education Agency

Ana De Hoyos O'Connor, San Antonio College

Blanca Enriquez, Education Service Center - Region 19 Head Start

John Gasko, Children's Learning Institute

Dottie Goodman, Texas Education Agency

Elsa Cárdenas Hagan, Valley Speech Language & Learning Center

Angela Hobbs-Lopez, Texas Department of State Health Services

Robert Ott Jr., Killeen Independent School District

Sasha Rasco, Texas Department of Family and Protective Services

Elaine Shiver, Mental Health America of Texas/Parents as Teachers

Kimberly Wedel, Texas Department of Assistive & Rehabilitative Services

Quincy White, City of Lubbock

John Whitcamp, Child Care Associates

Only 2.2 percent of media coverage of education focuses on education of preschool-aged children

Wed, 31 Dec 1969 17:59:59 GMT

Only 2.2 percent of media coverage of education focuses on education of preschool-aged children.

Source: Invisible: 1.4 Percent is Not Enough, Brookings Institution. Available HERE.

The Texas Tribune Asks: Does Texas Pre-k Work?

Wed, 31 Dec 1969 17:59:59 GMT

Does Texas Pre-K work?

The battles over Pre-Kindergarten are no place for children. Scarce resources and passionate people make for the political equivalent of street fights.

At the middle of the maelstrom is the State Center for Early Childhood Education, housed within the University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston, which has come to dominate Pre-K in Texas. One-third of pre-kindergarten students learn under its model, and its director, Susan Landry, has helped to set statewide standards, create teacher training and bring together private and private facilities.

Read more HERE.

DARS Seeks Recommendations at Public Hearings on ECI Family Cost Share

Wed, 31 Dec 1969 17:59:59 GMT

The Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services (DARS) Early Childhood Intervention Program (ECI) is reviewing its family cost-share policies due to implementation challenges such as increasing need, limited funding, and changes in community resources for families.

Family cost share is a fee paid by families for certain DARS/ECI services when private or public insurance does not pay. The fee is based on a sliding scale and determined by the familys income and other factors.

DARS/ECI is soliciting early public input regarding revising policy for how families help pay for these services. Any changes in family cost share for DARS/ECI services should be equitable, consistent, and cost effective. All areas of family cost share are open for input; however, specific topics for comment include:

* Collecting co-pays, deductibles, and/or co-insurance as required by insurance plans when billing insurance for services.

* Eliminating the option for a six-month waiver that allows DARS/ECI programs to waive family cost-share fees if the family consents to allow their private insurance to be billed. Input is requested on other methods to encourage the use of private insurance and other alternative health payment methods.

* Revising the sliding scale family cost-share system to:

-Require verification of income if family wants to qualify for the sliding-scale fee;

-Simplify the sliding-scale fee by reducing the number of categories;

* Change the sliding-scale fee from a monthly fee to a per-service fee.

To facilitate widespread public participation, DARS/ECI will hold hearings around the state, and members of the public also may submit comments in writing.

All hearings will be held from 4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. Persons requiring special accommodations should call the DARS Inquiries Line at 1-800-628-5115, TDD/TTY 1-866-581-9328, or email their request to DARS.Inquiries@dars.state.tx.us at least 72 hours before the public hearing. Hearing dates and locations are:

November 9, 2009

Garland, Texas

Garland ISD Special Events Center

4999 Naaman Forest Blvd.

Garland, Texas

November 10, 2009

Katy, Texas

Morton Ranch High School

2100 Franz Road

Katy, Texas

November 12, 2009

Lubbock Texas

Lubbock ISD Administration Offices East Building

Jay Gordon Room

1628 19th St.

Lubbock, Texas

November 13, 2009

Nacogdoches, Texas

Stephen F. Austin University

Multi-Media Room #2.106

1936 North St.

Nacogdoches, Texas

November 16, 2009

Corpus Christi, Texas

Education Service Center Region 2

Room 323

209 North Water St.

Corpus Christi, Texas

Written comments may be emailed by November 30, 2009, to ECI.Policy@dars.state.tx.us or mailed to: Texas Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services

Division for Early Childhood Intervention Services

4900 N. Lamar, MC 3029

Austin, Texas 78751-2399

The links listed below provide additional information regarding Family Cost Share. http://www.dars.state.tx.us/ecis/fcsfactsheet.shtml http://www.dars.state.tx.us/ecis/FCSFeeScale.pdf http://www.dars.state.tx.us/ecis/publications/FamilyCostShare.pdf

Gov. Perry Appoints New Texas Early Education Council

Wed, 31 Dec 1969 17:59:59 GMT

The Governor appointed Texas State Advisory Council will direct spending on a pending 11.3 million dollar federal stimulus grant, and is required by the Federal Improving Head Start for School Readiness Act of 2007. The Council will also work towards developing a comprehensive system of early care and education that ensures coordination and collaboration among early childhood programs throughout Texas.

Dr. John Gasko, Director of State Initiatives for the Children's Learning Institute (CLI) at The University of Texas Health Science Center, has been appointed Chair of the Council. He is an example of the presence of current and former TECEC leadership on this important state level group. Five of the 18 appointments made by Governor Perry have served or currently serve on TECEC advisory committees.

The list of appointees is as follows:

Michael Berry, Austin, Texas

Denise Anne Brady, Austin, Texas

LaShonda Y. Brown, Missouri City, Texas

Mary G. Capello, Laredo, Texas

Deborah H. Cody, Mount Pleasant, Texas

Gina S. Day, Kyle, Texas

Ana De Hoyos OConnor, San Antonio, Texas

Blanca Estela Enriquez, El Paso, Texas

John W. Gasko, Houston, Texas

Dorothy Dottie Goodman, Austin, Texas

Elsa Cárdenas-Hagan Olmito, Texas

Angela M. Hobbs-Lopez, Round Rock, Texas

Robert C. Ott, Jr., Killeen, Texas

Sasha Rasco, Austin, Texas

Elaine F. Shiver, Dallas, Texas

Kimberly A. Wedel, Austin, Texas

John A. Whitcamp, Fort Worth, Texas

Quincy E. White, Lubbock, Texas

Bringing different representatives from the early education community together to inform decisions and create policy is a winning model. Since the inception of the Texas Early Childhood Education Coalition in 2003, Texas has invested over $100 million in early education. By working together, Texas has advanced high-quality early care and education more than most states. The Governor's thoughtful decision to appoint a diverse group of experts to such an important council will certainly help to move high-quality early care and education forward in Texas in a cooperative and collaborative manner.

Register now for the TMC Early Care and Education Conference 10/29-10/31

Wed, 31 Dec 1969 17:59:59 GMT

TMC will be hosting a conference entitled Early Care and Education: The Zero to Five Challenge on October 29-31, 2009 at the Convention Center in South Padre Island, Texas.

The conference will provide attendees with the opportunity to enhance their knowledge base and engage in topics of interest such as:

Infants & Toddlers

Early Head Start

Head Start

Child Care Services

Pre-k and Kindergarten Programs

Advocacy: Champions for Children

Healthy Family Development

Staff Development

Parents as active players in their childrens development

Social and emotional development and needs of a young children

Supporting early math and science

Promoting nutrition and healthy lifestyles

Developing quality early childhood education programs

Promoting physical activity

Early Literacy

Texas Early Education Model (TEEM)

Dual Language

Emergent Literacy

Pre-numeracy

Appropriate Assessments

To find out more visit TMC's Website.

Register now for the TAIMH annual meeting 11/19/2009

Wed, 31 Dec 1969 17:59:59 GMT

The Texas Association for Infant Mental Health will host its annual meeting on November 19, 2009 in Fort Worth, Texas.

Don't miss out!

This year's Annual Meeting and Conference features a sample Food For Thought session, the Julie Ann Mason Memorial Lecturer, Dr. Carrie Contey, and 2008 T. Berry Brazelton, MD, Infant Mental Health Award Winner, Dr. Karyn Purvis.

Register at http://www.taimh.org/

Pre-k Students Set High Goals (video)

Wed, 31 Dec 1969 17:59:59 GMT

Students setting goals for their higher education while in pre-k!

See the video HERE.

Register now for the annual TAASPYC Symposium 10/19/2009

Wed, 31 Dec 1969 17:59:59 GMT

The Texas Association of Administrators and Supervisors of Programs for Young Children (TAASPYC) is hosting their annual symposium In Houston, Texas, October 19-20, 2009.

Join other early childhood professionals to hear national and state speakers. This is an outstanding two day symposium focuses on early childhood education and advocacy.

For more information click HERE.

National report points to problems with the Texas child care assistance program

Wed, 31 Dec 1969 17:59:59 GMT

National report points to problems with the Texas child care assistance program

Austin, TexasSeptember 29, 2009 A new report from the National Womens Law Center, studies child care assistance policy in all fifty states and Washington DC. The study, State Child Care Assistance Policies 2009: Most States Hold the Line, But Some Lose Ground in Hard Times, found that between February of 2008 and February of 2009 more states made cuts than made improvements in desperately needed child care assistance, worsening an already bleak landscape for parents trying to afford reliable child care.

Texas ranked near the bottom on all four categories the study analyzed: reimbursement rates for providers serving families receiving child care assistance, income eligibility limits to qualify for assistance, waiting lists for assistance, and co-payments required of parents receiving assistance. Texas is different than other states when it comes to child care assistance policy. In the Lone Star state child care policy varies significantly across 28 different Local Workforce Development Areas. Each area has significant latitude in setting child care assistance policy.

Reimbursement Rates: States determine reimbursement rates for child care providers who care for children receiving child care assistance. Low reimbursement rates deprive child care providers of resources crucial for supporting high-quality care and can discourage high-quality providers from serving families receiving child care assistance.

TEXAS The federal government recommends a reimbursement rate at the 75th percentile of market, but no where in Texas does the reimbursement rate reach that level. In Houston, for example, providers are reimbursed at less that half of what it cost to properly care for children. This is a particularly daunting problem in Texas, as the Texas minimum wage has risen 41% between 2004-2009, while the average reimbursement rate in Texas has only risen 5.75% during the same period. Child care providers are having to do more and more with less and less.

Income Eligibility: A familys ability to obtain child care assistance also depends on a states income eligibility limits, including whether a state makes annual adjustments for inflation to eligibility limits so that families do not become ineligible for assistance merely because their income keeps pace with inflation.

TEXASDepending on where one resides in Texas, income eligibility limits fluctuate from $26,400 - $42,703. Basic eligibility limits in the state are often counterintuitive; for instance in Houston, a single mother with one child can make no more than $21,855/year in order to qualify for assistance, while in East Texas that same person can make up to $31,803/year and qualify. Though the cost of living in Houston is double the cost of living in East Texas, eligibility limits are far higher for East Texans than they are for Houstonites.

Waiting Lists: Families that qualify for child care assistance generally have no guarantee that they will receive it. Instead, a state may place eligible families on a waiting list or turn away families altogether.

TEXASIn 2009, 19 states placed families on the waiting list for child care assistance or turned away families without even adding their names to the waiting list. Texas was one of these states. Texas is a perennial leader in child care assistance waiting lists across the country. Roughly 25,000 children are waiting for child care assistance in Texas. Co-payments: If states set co-payment rates too high, families may have difficulty meeting them or may be discouraged from participating in the child care assistance program at all.

TEXASIn all areas of Texas, most families are required to pay 9%-11% of their monthly income as a co-payment when receiving child care assistance. 18 states have more affordable co-payment requirements than Texas, though the majority of states range from 9%-15%. Co-payment rates have held steady in Texas for the last eight years.

The Texas Early Childhood Education Coalition recognizes the challenges subsidized child care presents in Texas, and in response has created a Child Care Subsidies Work Group. Coalition members are meeting regularly with policymakers, experts, and community members, to produce clear policy recommendations to strengthen the quality and supply of care for working Texas families.

Access the NWLCs report: "State Child Care Assistance Policies 2009: Most States Hold the Line, But Some Lose Ground in Hard Times" at www.nwlc.org

Number of certified pre-k classrooms nearly double in Texas

Wed, 31 Dec 1969 17:59:59 GMT

Number of certified pre-k classrooms nearly double in Texas, The Childrens Learning Institute awards 2009-2010 certifications

HOUSTON (Sept. 22, 2009)Pre-kindergarten teachers will be rewarded this week for their dedication to preparing their students for kindergarten when their classrooms receive Texas School Ready! certification.

For the 2009-2010 school year, 2,084 classrooms are receiving certification through a state-funded evaluation system led by the Childrens Learning Institute (CLI) at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston. Last year, 1, 123 classrooms were certified.

Barrick Elementary School in the Houston Independent School District (HISD) is one of 19 HISD schools with classrooms that have been singled out as preparing children for kindergarten.

Being Texas School Ready! certified shows parents that we are providing the best possible early childhood education available, said Yolanda Y. Garrido, principal at Barrick Elementary School. The road to college begins in pre-k. If we prepare our students to be school ready, we also prepare them for lifelong learning and success.

To achieve certification, teachers at pre-schools and centers apply to CLI and provide information about their classrooms. CLI then studies information provided by Texas public school districts to assess those students early reading and social development skills after they advance to kindergarten. The annual certification demonstrates that children who graduated from these pre-k classrooms went to public kindergarten with the fundamental skills in place to be successful.

Licensed childcare care providers, Head Start or public pre-k classrooms can all voluntarily apply to CLI for the certification.

This certification recognizes the strong leadership of local community leaders in implementing the Texas School Ready! Project and in taking a proven, focused approach to ensure that all children, including those at-risk, receive the support they need to enter school ready to learn, said Susan Landry, Ph.D., Albert and Margaret Alkek Endowed Chair in Early Childhood Education and executive director of CLI at the UT Health Science Center. This project continues to succeed for children because of the support of not only parents, teachers and community leaders, said Landry, but the support of our elected and appointed leaders in Austin.

For information, to apply or to find out which classrooms are accredited with Texas School Ready! certification, log onto www.texasschoolready.org or call 1-800-315-7204.

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Check out the amazing new learning tools from Dr. James Heckman

Wed, 31 Dec 1969 17:59:59 GMT

Dr. James Heckman is a Nobel Prize winning Economist who calls for increased investment in early education. His video below says it all

video platform video management video solutions free video player see http://www.heckmanequation.org/ for more!

61% of children from low-income families have no age-appropriate books for children at home.

Wed, 31 Dec 1969 17:59:59 GMT

61% of children from low-income families have no age-appropriate books for children at home.

Source: Jumpstart(2009)America's Early Childhood Literacy Gap. Available HERE

Early Learning Challenge Fund Moves Forward!

Wed, 31 Dec 1969 17:59:59 GMT

From The New York Times:

September 20, 2009

Initiative Focuses on Early Learning Programs

By SAM DILLON

Tucked away in an $87 billion higher education bill that passed the House last week was a broad new federal initiative aimed not at benefiting college students, but at raising quality in the early learning and care programs that serve children from birth through age 5.

The initiative, the Early Learning Challenge Fund, would channel $8 billion over eight years to states with plans to improve standards, training and oversight of programs serving infants, toddlers and preschoolers.

The Senate is expected to pass similar legislation this fall, giving President Obama, who proposed the Challenge Fund during the presidential campaign, a bill to sign in December.

Experts describe the current array of programs serving young children and their families nationwide as a hodgepodge of efforts with little coordination or coherence. Financing comes from a shifting mix of private, local, state and federal money. Programs are run out of storefronts and churches, homes and Head Start centers, public schools and other facilities. Quality is uneven, with some offering stimulating activities, play and instruction but others providing little more than a room and a television.

Oversight varies by state, but most lack any early childhood structure analogous to the state and local boards of education that govern public schools. A result is that poor children, even many who have access to government-financed early care or learning programs, tend to enter kindergarten less prepared for school than those with wealthier parents.

To qualify for grants, states would have to demonstrate that they have established or improved what the bill calls a governance structure for their networks of child care centers and prekindergarten programs.

The structure would include quality standards; a curriculum of sorts, appropriate for young children; a mechanism for reviewing programs and assigning quality ratings; minimum training requirements for providers; a plan for reaching out to parents; and a system for collecting data on children and families. The Departments of Education and Health and Human Services would jointly administer the Challenge Fund.

Sharon Lynn Kagan, a professor at Teachers College who has traced the history of American child care programs back to the early 19th century, wrote a paper last year advocating federal aid to states in building a more coherent and robust early-childhood infrastructure.

No one bill can solve everything, Professor Kagan said, but this will move us more than any other piece of legislation toward higher quality in early education, not just more spaces for children.

Since the campaign, Mr. Obama has raised expectations among early learning advocates with his endorsements of public investments in the careful nurturing of young children, especially the disadvantaged. In the economic stimulus bill, Congress last spring appropriated more than $4 billion in new financing for child care and education efforts, including Head Start, the federal program that serves about 900,000 preschoolers.

Still, not all early learning advocates are satisfied that the administration is doing all it could to integrate early learning efforts into the nations broader public education system.

The Department of Education is already administering a separate $4.3 billion competition among states to reward and encourage improvements to elementary and secondary schools. In August, scores of early learning groups and advocates wrote letters to the department criticizing proposed rules for that competition, known as Race to the Top, as largely ignoring early childhood education.

We dont see how our country can race to the top when all kids are not at the same starting line when they reach kindergarten, said Marcy Young, project director for the Pre-K Now program at the Pew Center on the States, one group that criticized the rules.

One reason the administration focused on elementary and secondary schools in the Race to the Top competition and early childhood in the Challenge Fund is that the two are at contrasting levels of development, administration officials said, with the public schools needing initiatives to improve teacher effectiveness, for instance, and early childhood needing basic structures of governance.

Sara Mead, a senior research fellow at the New America Foundation, said, I havent talked with anybody who isnt excited about the prospects for this Early Learning Challenge Fund.

But there is disappointment in some parts of the early childhood community that its not more focused on adding slots, Ms. Mead said.

One reason advocates are especially concerned about slots for children is that after a decade in which states had taken the lead in expanding access nationwide, several with deep budget troubles have recently eliminated or reduced services for tens of thousands of children.

Illinois, for instance, cut the budget for its Pre-K for All program to $305 million this fiscal year from $338 million last year, eliminating slots for about 9,500 children, according to statistics provided by Albert Wat, a project manager at Pre-K Now.

In Ohio, lawmakers did away with a program known as the Early Learning Initiative, the budget for which last year was $125 million, Mr. Wat said. The action eliminated access for 12,000 children, he said.

In some states, were seeing a disaster, said Steve Barnett, co-director of the National Institute for Early Education Research at Rutgers University.

But despite the tightest budgets in decades, nearly 30 states have chosen to protect or increase financing for early learning programs.

Attend a Child Care Minimum Standards Review Meeting Near You!

Wed, 31 Dec 1969 17:59:59 GMT

Mark your calendars. The Committee on Child Care Licensing Standards will hold public meetings throughout Texas this Fall. This is an opportunity for you to learn more about the Child Care Minimum Standards review process and to be heard on important issues related to child care in our state. There will be an opportunity for public testimony at each meeting. Don't miss this opportunity to be heard on the Minimum Standards.

Please see the schedule below for time and location of the next meeting near you!

You can also visit the DFPS site on on these regional meetings HERE

Killeen

Date: September 21, 2009

Time: Center-based care 1:00 - 3:00 pm

Home-based care 6:30 - 8:30 pm

Location: Workforce Solutions

Address: 300 Cheyenne, Killeen, TX 76542

Contact Person: Melissa McClung (254) 750-9374

Beaumont

Date: September 23, 2009

Time: Center-based care 1:00 - 3:00 pm

Home-based care 6:30 - 8:30 pm

Location: Beaumont State Bldg. 20th Floor Conference Room

Address: 285 Liberty Beaumont, TX 77701

Contact Person: Dawn Stanley (409) 951-3302

Odessa

Date: September 24, 2009

Time: Center-based care 2:00 - 4:00 pm

Home-based care 6:00 - 8:00 pm

Location: Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) Office

Address: 2525 N. Grandview #100, Odessa, TX 79761

Contact person: Eileen Garcia (432) 368-2693

Odessa

Date: September 25, 2009

Time: Center-based care 8:30 - 10:30 am

Location: Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) Office

Address: 2525 N. Grandview #100, Odessa, TX 79761

Contact person: Eileen Garcia (432) 368-2693

Tyler

Date: September 30, 2009

Time: Center-based care 1:00 - 3:00 pm

Home-based care 6:30 - 8:30 pm

Location: Robert R Muntz Library

Address: 3900 University Blvd, Tyler, TX 75799

Contact Person: Sheralyn Oliver (903) 533-4140

Amarillo

Date: October 1, 2009

Time: Center-based care 10:00 am - 12:00 pm

Home-based care 1:00 - 3:00 pm

Location: The Church at Quail Creek Fellowship Hall

Please enter through Door #1 near the playground

Address: 801 Tascosa Road, Amarillo, TX 79124

Contact Person: Tisha Batis (806) 354-5307

Abilene

Date: October 2, 2009

Time: Center-based care 9:00 - 11:00 am

Center-based care 2:00 - 4:00 pm

Home-based care 6:00 - 8:00 pm

Location: Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) Building

Address: 4601 S. 1st Street, Abilene, TX

Contact Person: Mary Landeros (325) 691-8232

Abilene

Date: October 3. 2009

Time: Home-based care 8:30 - 10:30 am

Location: Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) Building

Address: 4601 S. 1st Street, Abilene, TX

Contact Person: Mary Landeros (325) 691-8232

Pflugerville

Date: October 6, 2009

Time: Home-based care 6:30 - 8:30 pm

Location: Pflugerville Baptist Church Education Building

Address: 306 S. 10th Street, Pflugerville, Texas 78660

Contact Person: Julie Richards (512) 834-3230

El Paso

Date: October 9, 2009

Time: Center-based care 9:00 - 11:00 am

Center-based care 2:00 - 4:00 pm

Home-based care 6:00 - 8:00 pm

Location: Advocacy Center for the Children of El Paso

Address: 1100 E. Cliff, Bldg. D, El Paso, TX 79902

Contact Person: Irene Yanez (915) 834-5735

El Paso

Date: October 10, 2009

Time: Home-based care 9:00 - 11:00 am

Location: Advocacy Center for the Children of El Paso

Address: 1100 E. Cliff, Bldg. D, El Paso, TX 79902

Contact Person: Irene Yanez (915) 834-5735

Corpus Christi

Date: October 13, 2009

Time: Center-based care 2:00 - 4:00 pm

Home-based care 6:30 - 8:30 pm

Location: Education Service Center, Region 2

Address: 209 North Water Street, Room 311, Corpus Christi, Texas 78401

Contact Person: Susana Juarez (361) 878-3456

Fort Worth

Date: October 15, 2009

Time: Center-based care 2:00 - 4:00 pm

Home-based care 6:30 - 8:30 pm

Location: Resource Connection Gym

Address: 2300 Circle Drive, Fort Worth, TX 76119

Contact Person: Vickie Polk (817) 792-4539

Plano

Date: October 17, 2009

Time: Center-based care 9:30 - 11:30 am

Home-based care 1:00 - 3:00 pm

Location: Collin College Conference Center, Room C

Address: 2800 E. Spring Creek Pkwy, Plano, TX 75074

Contact person: Vickie Polk (817) 792-4539

Lubbock

Date: October 19, 2009

Time: Center-based care 9:00 - 11:00 am

Home-based care 2:00 - 4:00 pm

Location: Mahon Public Library

Address: 1306 9th Street, Lubbock, TX

Contact person: Deanna Castro (806) 698-5501

Houston

Date: October 20, 2009

Time: Center-based care 3:30 - 5:30 pm

Home-based care 6:00 - 8:00 pm

Location: United Way Building

Address: 50 Waugh Drive. Houston, TX 77007

Contact person: Christina Harvey (713) 940-5102

Houston

Date: October 22, 2009

Time: Center-based care 3:30 - 5:30 pm

Home-based care 6:00 - 8:00 pm

Location: Knights of Columbus Hall

Address: 2320 Hatfield Rd., Pearland, TX 77581

Contact person: Christina Harvey (713) 940-5102

San Antonio

Date: October 28, 2009

Time: Center-based care 2:00 - 4:00 pm

Home-based care 6:30 - 8:30 pm

Location: Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) Office

Address: 3635 S.E. Military Drive, Room 3D66, San Antonio, Texas 78223

Contact Person: Raquel Botello (210) 337-3277

Secretary Duncan Announces $3.5 Billion in Title I School Improvement Grants to Fund Transformational Changes Where Children Have Long Been Underserved

Wed, 31 Dec 1969 17:59:59 GMT

Press release from U.S. Dept of Education

FOR RELEASE: August 26, 2009

Today, U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan announced draft requirements for $3.5 billion in Title I School Improvement grants to turn around the nation's lowest performing schools.

If we are to put an end to stubborn cycles of poverty and social failure, and put our country on track for long-term economic prosperity, we must address the needs of children who have long been ignored and marginalized in chronically low-achieving schools, said Duncan, who made the announcement with U.S. Sen. Harry Reid at Harley Harmon Elementary School in Las Vegas. States and school districts have an opportunity to put unprecedented resources toward reforms that would increase graduation rates, reduce dropout rates and improve teacher quality for all students, and particularly for children who most need good teaching in order to catch up.

Proposed requirements for the grants have been published in the Federal Register, providing a 30-day comment period on the criteria. Title I School Improvement Grants are funded by $546 million in the fiscal year 2009 appropriation and an additional $3 billion from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) to support the transformational changes that are needed to turn around the nation's lowest-achieving schools.

The secretary of education is required to award school improvement grants to each state education agency based on the proportional share of funds it receives under Title I. Each state must provide subgrants to local school districts that apply for those funds and have demonstrated the greatest commitment to serve their Title I schools identified for improvement, corrective action or restructuring under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA).

The Obama administration's strategy includes: identifying and serving the lowest-achieving Title I schools in each state; supporting only the most rigorous interventions that hold the promise of producing rapid improvements in student achievement and school culture; providing sufficient resources over several years to implement those interventions; and measuring progress in achieving results.

The large investment in school improvement funds made possible by the Recovery Act presents a historic opportunity to attack education's most intractable challenge -- turning around or closing down chronically low-achieving schools, Duncan said. Our goal is to turn around the 5,000 lowest-performing schools over the next five years, as part of our overall strategy for dramatically reducing the drop-out rate, improving high school graduation rates and increasing the number of students who graduate prepared for success in college and the workplace.

The secretary would require states to identify three tiers of schools:

Tier I - The lowest-achieving five percent of Title I schools in improvement, corrective action, or restructuring in a state, or the five lowest-performing Title I schools, whichever number is greater.

Tier II Equally low-achieving secondary schools that are eligible for, but do not receive, Title I funds. The secretary proposes targeting some of these extremely low-achieving high schools and their feeder middle schools. There are close to 2,000 high schools in this country in which graduation is at best a 50/50 proposition. U.S. Department of Education data indicates that fewer than half of these schools currently receive Title I Part A funds. If the provisions proposed become final, school districts would not be required to include Tier II schools in proposals. However, including Tier II schools would enhance a school district's likelihood for funding because states would be required to give priority to districts that commit to serve both Tier I and Tier II schools.

Tier III The remaining Title I schools in improvement, corrective action or restructuring that are not Tier I schools in the state.

In its application to the state, each school district would be required to demonstrate its commitment to raising student achievement by implementing, in each Tier I and Tier II school, one of the following rigorous interventions:

Turnaround Model This would include among other actions, replacing the principal and at least 50 percent of the school's staff, adopting a new governance structure and implementing a new or revised instructional program.

Restart Model School districts would close failing schools and reopen them under the management of a charter school operator, a charter management organization or an educational management organization selected through a rigorous review process. A restart school would be required to admit, within the grades it serves, any former student who wishes to attend.

School Closure The district would close a failing school and enroll the students who attended that school in other high-achieving schools in the district.

Transformational Model Districts would address four specific areas: 1) developing teacher and school leader effectiveness, which includes replacing the principal who led the school prior to commencement of the transformational model, 2) implementing comprehensive instructional reform strategies, 3) extending learning and teacher planning time and creating community-oriented schools, and 4) providing operating flexibility and sustained support.

Districts should choose the strategy that works best for each school. To ensure districts are choosing a variety of strategies, any district with nine or more schools in school improvement will not be allowed to use any single strategy in more than half of its schools.

Recognizing flexibility is needed, a state may award school improvement funds to a district that has implemented, in whole or in part, one of the interventions proposed in a Tier I school in the last two years. They must fully implement that intervention moving forward. Also, a state could seek a waiver to permit a school that implements a turnaround or restart model to start over, exiting school improvement and no longer needing to provide the public school choice option or supplemental educational services.

Additionally, a state could seek a waiver to enable a Tier I school that operates a targeted assistance program to instead implement one of the proposed interventions schoolwide.

In addition to flexibility, providing sufficient resources over several years is critical. The secretary proposes to require that states allocate to each district the maximum per-school amount permitted under ESEA for each Tier I school where one of the four interventions is approved for implementation. The secretary also would waive the period of availability of school improvement grants beyond Sept. 30, 2011, to make funds available to school districts for three years.

New dropout research reveals striking costs to Texas economy

Wed, 31 Dec 1969 17:59:59 GMT

Press release from United Ways of Texas

New dropout research reveals striking costs to Texas economy

AUSTIN, Texas- August 24, 2009- On a day where many children and their families are gearing up for a new school year, a number of Texas students will not be taking steps through the school halls - those who have dropped out of school. A recently released report commissioned by United Ways of Texas and authored by The Bush School of Government and Public Service at Texas A&M University shines new light on the economic implications of Texas dropout crisis. The report, titled The ABCDs of Texas Education: Assessing the Benefits and Costs of Reducing the Dropout Rate, found that based on Texas dropout rate, students that should graduate with the class of 2012 but drop out before graduation will cost Texas up to $9.6 billion over their lifetime.

The figure is based on cost projections for lost wages and taxes, increased welfare payments and incarceration costs. The report describes the economic implications of Texas dropout situation as striking and worrisome. The 9.6 billion dollar dropout price tag is astounding, but unfortunately it is not just a one-time cost to our state, said Karen R. Johnson, President and CEO of United Ways of Texas. A new cohort of students drops out each year, compounding the figure year after year and costing our state even more down the road.

The report also found that because Texas will have fewer students in its education system, dropouts will actually save the state up to $1.1 billion in education-related costs each year. However, the report noted that despite the significant investment to keep these students in school, Texas would see a substantial long-term monetary gain from educating students who otherwise would have dropped out of school.

We recognize that many lawmakers, teachers, administrators, organizations, parents and others are doing all they can to increase the numbers of students who graduate from high school, said Johnson. However, this report further indicates that in order to ensure Texas future economic health, our state has a lot of work still left to do. Most importantly, Texans need good information about the real cost of our inability to address the dropout crisis.

For more information about the report, please contact Stephanie Guidry at stephanie.guidry@uwtexas.org or (512) 372-9209.

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Committee on Child Care Licensing Standards to hold Public Hearing in Austin on September 9, 2009

Wed, 31 Dec 1969 17:59:59 GMT

The Committee on Licensing Standards will host a public hearing to review Minimum Standards for Day Care and Residential Care on Wednesday, September 9, 2009, noon to 5 p.m., at the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services, John H. Winters Building, Public Meeting Room, 1st Floor, 701 West 51st Street, Austin, TX.

The purpose of this public hearing is to receive comments and suggestions for changes to the Minimum Standards. The Public Hearing will be separated into two segments, one to receive comments related to Day Care Minimum Standards and one for Residential Care Minimum Standards. Please note the agenda times for the segment of interest to you:

Public Hearing Agenda

12:00 2:00PM CHILD CARE MINIMUM STANDARDS

Welcoming Remarks

Dr. Karyn Purvis, Chair, Committee on Licensing Standards Opening Comments and Hearing Guidelines

Joyce James, DFPS Deputy Commissioner Child Care Licensing Presentation on Review and Evaluation of Minimum Standards

Michele Adams, CCL Director of Policy and Programs Public Testimony Regarding Day Care Minimum Standards

BREAK

3:00 5:00PM RESIDENTIAL CHILD CARE MINIMUM STANDARDS

Welcoming Remarks

Dr. Karyn Purvis, Chair, Committee on Licensing Standards

Opening Comments and Hearing Guidelines

Joyce James, DFPS Deputy Commission Presentation on Review and Evaluation of Minimum Standards

Michele Adams, CCL Director of Policy and Programs

Public Testimony Regarding Residential Child Care Minimum Standards

Texas has one of highest rates of teen pregnancy, ranking 48th out of 50 states with 63 births per 1,000 females 15-19

Wed, 31 Dec 1969 17:59:59 GMT

Texas has one of highest rates of teen pregnancy, ranking 48th out of 50 states with 63 births per 1,000 females 15-19.

Source: Annie E. Casey Foundation. (2009). 2009 Kids Count Data Book. Available HERE.