What have the communities learned?

All three demonstration learning communities already see benefits from their collaborations and anticipate more. Implementation is not without challenges; however, each community is working to overcome them.

 

“Yes, we’ve seen some challenges in the blending process… But the rewards we’re seeing are outweighing all of those challenges.”                 

--Robert Morton, Ed.D., Superintendent, Coffeyville USD

 

What benefits are the demonstration communities experiencing or anticipating?

  • Shared resources, such as space, staff, expertise and professional development
  • Alignment of standards, curriculum and best practices
  • Natural peer environment
  • Linkages to comprehensive services (e.g. health, mental health, social services)
  • Increased family involvement
  • Easier transition to kindergarten

What challenges have the demonstration communities identified?

  • Blending of different cultures (e.g., school district, Head Start, child care)
  • Different program standards
  • Cost allocations among different funding sources
  • Staffing issues related to cost-sharing, credential requirements, etc.
  • Time to invest in new collaborative relationships

What are lessons already learned which can help mitigate the challenges?

  • Engage all stakeholders early in the planning process.
  • Provide cross-program orientation, so everyone understands each other’s programs.
  • Pay stipends to child care providers to cover substitute costs so they can participate.
  • Offer joint professional development.
  • Expect up’s and down’s as implementation progresses.

What are some ideas for building support?

  • Survey the community to assess the importance of early childhood education.
  • Adopt a board statement about the importance of early childhood education.
  • Build collaboration between various organizations within the community as well as at the state level.
  • Build partnerships with special education (e.g., grant for extra paras).
  • Become a Title I preschool…use Title I funds to support teachers.
  • Create partnerships with other educational support systems (e.g., Migrant Education).
  • Pursue local grant opportunities (e.g., Kiwanis, community foundations, etc.).
  • Explore funding for pilot or model programs at local, state and national levels.
  • Work with the state’s Association of School Boards.

The inclusion program has helped my son with more than his academics.  His self-esteem is up, he is learning good social skills, and he’s having a fun time doing it.

-- Lexi Amos-Lyddon, Parent, Liberal

I also attend parent meetings now, especially since there is someone to help me.  I come as often as I can.  The meetings are very full of helpful information.

-- Luisa Ensaldo, Parent, Coffeyville

By combining state and federal resources, we are able to keep our program more stable and make the most of what we have, to provide the highest level of service.

-- Phyllis Marmon, Director (Rossville), Community Action, Inc., Head Start

Our bottom line is, ‘Are we doing what’s best for kids and families?'

-- Diane Hensley, Parent and Family Liaison, Liberal USD

Wow! That first day of preschool was a doozy. I questioned whether it was necessary to serve the children both breakfast and lunch. It brought a tear to my eye when one of our staff told me about...

-- Beverly Newton, Director of Food Services, Rossville

“Most children see each other as equal play friends, not as different.  It is the adult who influences how children perceive each other as different.”

-- EJ Salley, Four-Year-Old At-Risk Teacher, Liberal USD

Each partner program brought its strengths to our collaboration, so that we find we’re doing better things together than we were doing separately.

-- Ann McCullough, Principal, Kaw Valley USD

It's exciting to enhance our programs for young children by combining our efforts and strengths with other agencies in our community.

-- Laura Cano, Federal Programs Director, Liberal USD

In our new early childhood center, it’s amazing to see adults and children, sitting around a table in their classroom and eating a meal together, just like a family would eat dinner at home. That’...

-- Robert Morton, Ed.D., Superintendent, Coffeyville USD

By collaborating, we truly serve the whole child and family by developing academic readiness and providing comprehensive services, such as general health, mental health, dental, and nutrition.

-- Linda Broyles, Director (Coffeyville), SEK-CAP Head Start

Read more...

Local and state K-12 leaders are finding that collaborating with community-based providers such as Head Start programs, child care centers and faith-based organizations can help them develop and implement high-quality pre-k programs that meet the needs of young children and their families in a comprehensive way.

Read the report, "Beyond the School Yard: Pre-K Collaborations with Community-Based Partners".

 

School districts across the nation are blending preschool classrooms.  Mary Baskett, Executive Director of Kansas Head Start Association, and the Demonstration Learning Communities project are featured on Early Ed Watch, a blog from New America's Early Education Initiative.

Read the article, "All in One Classroom: Blending Head Start and Non-Head Start Students".