| Q |
What is the Power of Preschool Demonstration Project? |
| A |
First 5 California approved funding for seven Demonstration Projects at its October 2005 Commission Meeting. Counties receiving funding for the Power of Preschool Demonstration grants are Merced, San Francisco, San Joaquin, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Ventura, and Yolo. The intention of First 5 California is that the Demonstration Projects will provide a common framework for financial and policy commitments and for quality standards with the goal that preschool become a part of California 's public education system. The funding is designated for new and improved preschool spaces in school district(s), city, or countywide preschool 'systems' that include high-quality early education environments in a variety of settings. FIRST 5 Santa Clara County’s Demonstration Project is to be launched in San Jose Unified School District in September 2006.
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| Q |
What are cumulative risk factors? |
| A |
Factors that put a child at risk of intellectual delays and/or mental or physical health problems have a cumulative impact upon development. As the number of risk factors increases, so does the effect. Examples of risk factors include exposure to drugs or toxins before birth, low birth weight, extreme family poverty, living in a high-crime neighborhood, poor nutrition, parental depression or substance abuse, domestic violence in the home, and family unemployment. A single risk factor does not necessarily put a child at risk.
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| Q |
What are the 14 essential elements of quality? |
| A |
One significant feature of the Santa Clara County Power of Preschool Model is the specification for essential elements of quality. Research shows that defining and striving toward the highest quality environments will ensure that children receive the best available early education and foster consistency in program design. The elements are:
- Development of a well-educated workforce at a BA Degree level with support for accreditation process
- Development of a workforce compensation schedule based on qualifications
- Low adult/child ratios and group size based on staff qualifications
- Length of day, length of year, and linkage to full-day services
- Facilities and environment to be of highest quality as measured by all current local and state regulations monitored by on-site reviews
- Developmentally, culturally, and linguistically appropriate curriculum content and activities with specific learning objectives
- Developmental screening, assessments, and referral services
- Inclusion of children with special needs
- Integration of in-home support services and ecological interventions in partnership with early educators
- Family engagement and education
- High-Risk Design longitudinal evaluation
- Monitoring and technical assistance
- Commitments with community resources and partners
- Transition plans for children and families from pre-kindergarten to K-3rd grade (part of the longitudinal study)
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| Q |
What is California 's Master Plan for Education Preschool Recommendations (2002) document? |
| A |
The Master Plan for Education Preschool Recommendations (2002) is a comprehensive policy document that lays out a blueprint for strategic planning of pre-K through university education policy and finance. The Plan includes voluntary access to preschool programs to all children in the two years leading up to kindergarten as one of its key school readiness recommendations.
Background: In 1999, the California Legislature passed Senate Concurrent Resolution 29, calling for the creation of a new statewide Master Plan for Education. The charge was to provide a coherent educational system that is attentive to learner needs. This Master Plan for Education has two primary goals: to provide every family with the information, resources, services, involvement, and support it needs to give every child the best possible start in life and in school; and to provide every public school, college, and university with the resources and authority necessary to ensure that every student receives a rigorous, quality education in preparation for becoming a self-initiating, self-sustaining learner.
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| Q |
What is the Universal Preschool Task Force Report (1998)? |
| A |
In 1998, the Universal Preschool Task Force, convened by the State Superintendent of Public Instruction (Delaine Eastin), called for "publicly funded universal preschool within ten years for all 3- and 4-year-old children in California." Specifically, it recommended: a) expanding the supply and quality of the preschool workforce; b) increasing the number of facilities; c) ensuring access in a range of settings; and d) combining local, state, federal and private funds to finance the program. The task force report, Ready to Learn (Sacramento: California Department of Education, 1998) elevated preschool in policy debates and became a basis for future work on preschool opportunity for all.
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