What’s the DEEL? Department of Education and Early Learning

Department of Education and Early Learning

Ready on Day 1: A Teacher’s View of What “Kindergarten Ready” Really Looks Like

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By Erica Johnson, PhD
Manager of Early Learning Policy and Innovation, Seattle Department of Education and Early Learning

 

I can still remember the children in my first kindergarten classroom. It was August 2001—my first year of teaching—and I was as nervous as they were. On the first day, I welcomed them at the door and helped new families navigate their day one nerves. After helping these new kindergartners find their cubbies and seats, I watched as parents—some teary-eyed, some stoic—said their goodbyes.

That day, there were 26 kids. Looking back, it’s remarkably easy to see who was socially and emotionally ready for kindergarten and who wasn’t quite there yet. It was only years later that I recognized that a child’s preparation had everything to do with what they did before kindergarten.

Sienna* and her twin brother, Angelo*, participated in a well-regarded local preschool program. Kindergarten was not a new challenge for them, it was just a new setting. Sienna walked into the room on the first day with confidence, inquired about her cubby and asked if she could use the materials at her table to draw a picture. Angelo was also confident but less interested in table work. His biggest concern was when recess would start and if I had a soccer ball (I did).

Mariella* was a heritage-language speaker with limited exposure to English. Academically, she was ready for Kindergarten, but she struggled socially and emotionally. In the beginning of the year, she cried every day when her mom left. Mariella had not been in a formal preschool program before kindergarten which made acclimating to school environment a challenge. Even though more than half of the children in the class spoke Spanish, there were no school-level resources to support her transition to kindergarten which likely compounded her separation anxiety. I believe her kindergarten transition experience was more difficult than it needed to be.

Kevin* and Keeley* spent the beginning of the year a bit lost. They had not participated in preschool so everything was new to them. Letters, reading and math concepts, and navigating peer relationships were all new. I remember that Kevin would identify every letter was a K, since that was the first letter of his name. Sweet and quiet, Keeley would shut down when she got confused or overwhelmed. They made progress throughout the year, but basic reading readiness activities were too advanced for what they needed. Due to State requirements around reading (in Florida, in 2001), they were both required to repeat Kindergarten the next year.

I imagine what that year would have been like for Mariella if she had been in a dual language preschool that eased her into English while providing linguistically- and culturally-appropriate support. What would that year have been like for Kevin and Keeley if they had access to peers for social development and pre-academic experiences through high-quality preschool? How would Kindergarten have been different for these kids? How would school have been different?

Fast-forward to 2018 and I now work for the City of Seattle to help develop and expand the Seattle Preschool Program. I know the research. I know that in the 2017-18 school year, 64.1% of children in Seattle Public Schools kindergarten classes were determined to be ready for kindergarten in assessments of social-emotional, physical, language, cognitive, literacy, and math. That means that almost 46% of kids were not ready in one or more area.

Within that 46%, we see pervasive racial and socioeconomic inequities. Children identified as middle or high income and White are more likely to be found to be ready in all areas than those identified as children of color, low-income, or limited English proficient. From research and from experience, we know that access to affordable, high-quality preschool can make a difference for our children and help close the opportunity gap.

It’s easy to talk about the research, but to feel the difference preschool makes, I have to think back to Sienna, Angelo, Mariella, Kevin, Keeley, and all of their classmates. Each of these kids—and all kids—deserve the best “day one” of kindergarten the community can give them.

 

*all names of these young learners were changed

 

Postscript: Mariella, a beneficiary of the Dream Act and an opportunity scholarship, graduated from a state university with honors. I still wish her kindergarten experience had been easier for her but am endlessly proud of her accomplishments and can’t wait to see what happens next.

 

UPDATED: SPP parent portal back up

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Updated 7/31/17 @3:15 – The parent portal, accessible at seattle.gov/applyspp is back up!

 

This morning the Seattle Preschool Program enrollment staff were notified that the vendor maintaining our application and enrollment portal is experiencing technical issues. The parent portal is down for the time being. Please call (206) 386-1050 with any application or enrollment questions.

This post will be updated when service is restored.

 

Seattle Joins U.S. Cities for First-Ever Universal Pre-K Policy Forum in New York City

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“Pre-K for All” Convening Re-Affirms Commitment to Free, Equitable pre-Kindergarten in Seattle and Across the Country

OCTOBER 6, 2016

Leaders from Seattle, Erica Johnson (Senior Policy Advisor, Early Learning Division) and Leilani Dela Cruz (Operations Manager, Early Learning Division) today will join policymakers from 12 municipal governments across the country in the first-ever convening to establish a network of cities dedicated to providing high-quality pre-kindergarten education to students, nationwide.

Held in New York City, the forum will allow for diverse municipalities to take part in an ongoing national dialogue about increasing access to high-quality education for all children regardless of their race, socio-economic status or zip code. Studies have shown that pre-kindergarten leads to better long-term academic and behavioral outcomes for children. Moreover, evaluations of existing universal pre-K programs reveal a significant financial benefit to low and middle class families who struggle with childcare costs.

During the October 6th Learning Lab, policy makers from participating cities will take part in roundtable discussions examining achievements, challenges, and lessons learned from NYC’s Pre-K for All expansion, sharing ideas and insights gained from their own city’s pre-K experiences. The Learning Lab is an opportunity for pre-K leaders to build relationships and identify thought partners for ongoing collaboration on how to implement high-quality pre-K that best meets the needs of children and families in their own municipalities, learning from other cities’ experiences. Finally, the host City and visiting policymakers will be encouraged to work together to advocate in support of expanding access and funding to early childhood education.

“As we work to implement the Seattle Preschool Program which aims to provide affordable and quality preschool to every family with preschool-age children, I am pleased that Seattle is participating in this gathering of national education leaders on best practices in early learning,” said Seattle Mayor Ed Murray.  “Early learning is the cornerstone to building a 21st century education system that will prepare our nation’s students to fully participate in tomorrow’s economy.”

“Free, full-day, high quality pre-K is a game-changer for more than 70,400 four-year-olds in New York City,” said New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio. “Delivering high quality pre-K is an essential part of our commitment to equity and excellence for all students and we’re thrilled to welcome this diverse group of cities who share our belief that our youngest learners must have a strong foundation to succeed in college and their careers. Municipal governments must work together to share best practices and lessons learned, and this summit is an essential step in building a strong network of policymakers who, together, will continue to advocate for expanded access to quality early education for every child nationwide.”

“Pre-K for all is all about high quality programs, and when we share best practices, children are the real winners,” said New York City Schools Chancellor Carmen Farina.”  “This forum is an invaluable opportunity for visiting cities to learn from our achievements, and perhaps more importantly from the challenges we faced, while also fostering a thoughtful, long-term discussion about how to expand access to pre-K education in New York City and across the country.”

“It’s an honor to welcome such a diverse group of cities aligned in the belief that every child deserves free, high-quality early education,” said Richard Buery, New York City Deputy Mayor for Strategic Policy Initiatives. “What we did in New York City is testament to the role municipal governments can play in promoting equity and keeping the American Dream within reach for the next generation. The Pre-K For All Cities network is a critical next step in expanding access so that children across the country can reap the long-term benefits of a pre-kindergarten education.”

Seattle Preschool Program launched in Fall 2015, and is in it’s second year. The program currently has over 30 classrooms city-wide, and is providing full-day, affordable, high-quality preschool to over 600 students. Seattle Preschool Program anchors it’s quality improvements in supporting the growth of teachers through professional development, in-class coaching, tuition support to complete an early learning degree, and increased pay for teachers.

In New York City, 70 percent of four and five year olds are enrolled in a Universal Pre-k Program. As of the first day of the 2016-17 school year, over 70,400 children were registered for free, full-day, high quality pre-K, up from 19,287 prior to the start of Pre-K for All. This extra year of learning is a critical part of this administration’s commitment to equity and excellence for all students, and a way to address disparities in educational opportunity for our city’s youngest learners.
The 13 cities participating in this year’s Learning Lab are:

  • Boston, MA
  • Chicago, IL
  • Dayton, OH
  • Mesa, AZ
  • Montgomery County, MD
  • Nashville, TN
  • New York City, NY
  • Philadelphia, PA
  • Salt Lake City, UT
  • San Antonio, TX
  • San Francisco
  • Seattle, WA
  • Tulsa, OK

 

Mayor Murray 2017-18 budget proposes additional funding for education and youth

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Mayor Ed Murray delivered his 2017-18 Proposed Budget to the City Council yesterday, and I am pleased to inform you of a few exciting new items included in the Department of Education and Early Learning’s proposed budget.

When Mayor Murray appointed me as director of DEEL, he made it clear that our mission would be to advance equity in education and help close the achievement gap that has long plagued our schools. This budget invests in our kids’ education and continues making progress toward ensuring everyone has access to opportunity.

First, the 2017 Proposed Budget includes $1 million to implement the first phase of the Mayor’s Education Summit Advisory Group’s recommendations, which will be announced soon. One of these recommendations is to fund an additional 200 high quality summer learning slots for middle and high school students, primarily focusing on African-American and other students of color.  Another recommendation will provide funds for a pilot innovation model at one high school modeled on the Families and Education Levy middle school innovation program.  This program significantly improves academic achievement by following a holistic approach that addresses academic skills, social emotional development, health, and family engagement.  And, the Mayor’s budget includes funding in the Seattle Parks and Recreation Department to expand the My Brother’s Keeper initiative that helps mentor African-American boys at Aki Kurose Middle School to five other middle schools.

Second, the proposed budget adds funding of $500,000 in 2017 to expand the Parent-Child Home Program to increase the number of young children who benefit from literacy education.

Third, the Seattle Preschool Program (SPP) Levy in DEEL’s 2017 Proposed Budget includes the planned addition of new SPP classrooms, from 32 in the 2016-17 school year to 53-60 classrooms in 2017-18. This increase means up to 1,200 more students will be served by the program in the next two years.

Finally, the Families and Education Levy (FEL) in DEEL’s 2017 Proposed Budget includes additional early learning preschool slots, funding for four new elementary schools, and increased summer learning funding for elementary and middle schools.

Additionally, Mayor Murray announced the creation of a Youth Opportunity Sub Cabinet that will be comprised of City department directors whose funding and programs focus on youth in Seattle. This group will serve as a structure to better align the City’s work with youth around common goals and outcomes.

I’m excited about the additional kids we’ll be able to serve with evidence-based and innovative strategies to help them succeed in school and in life. The budget shows Mayor Murray’s commitment to this goal.

Please let the City Councilmembers know that your thoughts about these investments by emailing the Council by using the Council website linked below or attending one of the two Council budget hearings scheduled for the following dates:

  • Wednesday, October 5, 2015 at 5:30 p.m., Seattle City Hall in Council Chambers
  • Tuesday, October 25, 2015 at 5:30 p.m., Seattle City Hall in Council Chambers

http://www.seattle.gov/council/

I would like to personally thank you for your continued support of and involvement with our programs and services, and to Mayor Murray for including these proposals as part of his 2017-18 Proposed Budget.

Sincerely,

Dwane

Dwane Chappelle, Director

Department of Education and Early Learning

Wishing for more Seattle Preschool Program classrooms in North Seattle? We’re on our way!

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Article in The Urbanist:

Preschool And 70 Low-Income Apartments Headed To Lake City

by @dmtrumm on September 26, 2016
The project by LIHI at 12750 30th Ave N would add 90 apartments.

The Northeast Design Review Board will hold the first recommendation meeting tonight for a 6-story 70-apartment building the Low Income Housing Institute (LIHI) plans to build in Lake City. The project will include a preschool, daycare center, and nine parking stalls. Apartments would serve tenants at a range of income levels from 0 to 60 percent of area median income, which roughly means two-bedroom units would rent for no higher than $1200 and three-bedrooms no higher than $1400.

Lake City is somewhat unique in the degree of community involvement in urban design thanks to a three-year envisioning project that established a framework and led the neighborhood to ask for a civic core rezone with stronger pedestrian and urban design standards.

Lake City Way was a major route bringing in commerce to the city. (
Lake City Way was an important highway bringing in commerce to the neighborhood. (LIHI)

Historically, Lake City was defined by its auto-oriented character. The design proposal layouts how Lake City Way was a thoroughfare for the region early in the automobile era and a commercial focal point that apparently eclipsed the trolley corridor. Lake City was a township of more than 40,000 when it incorporated in 1949—that was good enough for fourth largest community in the state. However, in an all too common story in auto-oriented retail, a bigger draw came in the Northgate Mall in 1950 and I-5 further altered transportation and commerce patterns when it opened in 1967, both of which pulled customers and commercial vitality from Lake City.

The envisioning project seeks to flip the script and make a more vital Lake City with a human-scaled walkable environment. The LIHI building aims to do its own part to achieve that goal with more inviting sidewalks, better pedestrian crossings, and lush landscaping. Architects selected Urban Pinnacle Oaks to anchor the landscaping, which is also filled in with a variety of plants, such as Munchkin Oakleaf Hydrangea, Creeping Lily Turf, Coastal Strawberry, Fragrant Sweetbox, and Pink Fountain Grass.

The improved sidewalk include extensive landscaping. (LIHI)
The improved NE 127th St sidewalk would include extensive landscaping. (LIHI)

The site’s sparing use of parking reflects the solid transit in the area. The 65 bus, which runs to University of Washington, stops just outside the site; the 41, which runs express via I-5 to downtown, stops a double-block to the south on 125th St, and the 372 and the 522 stop at Lake City Way and 125th St, a four-minute walk. Minimal parking also makes providing affordable housing easier by avoiding the high cost of building parking.

LIHI
The smaller circle is 1/8 mile radius and larger is 1/4 mile radius from the site. (LIHI)

The childcare facility includes an outdoor play area surrounded by a colorful fence. The architects aim to improve the “eyes on the street” effect with administrative offices and preschool classroom’s windows pointing out to the street. Both kids and adults can seek further on-site recreation opportunities on the rooftop deck, which includes another play area, lounge and picnic seating, a p-patch garden, a fire pit, and trees. The roof also includes three separate photo-voltaic solar arrays that will provide renewable energy on-site.

The play area is surrounded by a colorful fence with playful windows. (LIHI)
The play area is surrounded by a colorful fence with playful windows. (LIHI)

This LIHI project in Lake City is the type of project that should be going up in every neighborhood in the city as we cope with an affordability crisis and try to house an estimated 3,000 homeless people. If your neighborhood’s zoning doesn’t allow a multi-family project like this, you might ask yourself why not. The building is designed with careful deference to the neighborhood’s wishes as expressed by its envisioning project and neighborhood plan. Landscaping beautifies the streetscape; better sidewalks improve the block’s walkabiity, all while providing valuable community services via the daycare, preschool, and rent restricted apartments. What an asset! Give us more projects like this.

The project has had one other design review, an Early Design Guidance (EDG) meeting in June, and could gain recommendation from the Northwest Design Review Board if things go well tonight. To comment attend the 6.30pm meeting at Room 202 of the Good Shepherd Center or email the assigned planner, Joshua Johnson (joshua.johnson@seattle.gov).

Tiny Trees (Seattle PreK Pathway Program)–Highlighted as innovative new partner with Seattle Parks

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On a cloudy day, April Charlie explores the forests of Camp Long for the first time. Through her three-year-old eyes it is a wonderland – full of towering conifers, big rocks and colorful animals. It’s a perfect place to ramble, burrow and play. The best part is Charlie will get to enjoy an education full of healthy, active play in a sensory rich world where she will build both the social and emotional skills needed for a productive life and the academic skills needed for success in school. 

In an outdoor classroom, lessons have a natural magic: instead of counting marbles, children collect and count acorns; to learn colors, geometry and fine motor control, children use paintbrushes to spread pollen between flowers and record the color, shape and number of petals to share with the class; and with a pile of leaves and twigs, they build sculptures and art that reflect the wilds of their imagination.

In an innovative partnership, Seattle Parks and Recreation is providing space for Tiny Trees Preschool to operate, on a pilot basis, 11 affordable, nature-rich outdoor preschool classes, helping 180 children a day at four Seattle Parks.

Affordability was a major reason April Charlie’s parents chose Tiny Trees. “Shortly after Charlie was born, we added her to a number of wait lists for various preschools,” said Annie McGlynn-Wright. “Some cost more than $19,000 a year, far more than what students pay now in tuition at the University of Washington and just not possible for a working family like us.”

At Tiny Trees, 52% of the incoming class receives financial assistance. At Carkeek Park, families who make less than $72,000 a year receive free tuition through the Seattle Preschool Program Pathways. “We’re committed to creating a school where every child is welcome,” said Andrew Jay, CEO of Tiny Trees Preschool. “Making tuition affordable and investing in teachers who reflect the diversity of the neighborhoods our schools are a part of, are key to that success.”

Tiny Trees Preschool keeps costs low by eliminating the cost of building, renovating and maintaining a child care facility. Instead of spending a huge amount on bricks and mortar the school spends it on hiring and supporting great teachers. The result is a preschool that costs 80% less to start and tuition prices that are 10 or 40% below market rate. Beginning September 12, 2016, Tiny Trees will operate schools at Camp Long in West Seattle, Carkeek Park in Northwest Seattle, John C. Little Park in the Rainier Valley and Jefferson Park on Beacon Hill.

The pilot agreement illustrates Seattle Parks and Recreation’s support for the city’s Preschool Program, approved by Seattle voters in 2014 to make preschool opportunities available for all Seattle 3- and 4-year-old children.

“This unique outdoor preschool program helps children to learn and develop while experiencing the wonder of the natural world,” said Seattle Parks and Recreation Superintendent Jesús Aguirre. “Supporting families in connecting their children to the natural world at an early age supports our efforts to build life-long advocates for the preservation of outdoor space and environmental stewardship.”

The Seattle Preschool Program aims to provide high quality early childhood education programs for 1,600 children a year by 2018. Tiny Trees Preschool is a provider for the Seattle Preschool Program – Pathways at Carkeek Park, and has two years to meet the quality standards for the Seattle Preschool Program.

Outdoor preschool is a concept that started in Norway, Germany and Denmark, three countries where the weather can get really cold. The model has been tested in the Northwest by Cedarsong Nature School, which has been offering year-round outdoor preschool on Vashon Island since 2006.

To make sure families are prepared for a Seattle winter, Tiny Trees provides every child a free one-piece rain suit and boots from the Vancouver, WA based company Oakiwear. Children also use picnic shelters in heavy rain and there is an emergency shelter designated at each site in case of severe weather or emergency. Tiny Trees follows the Seattle Public Schools (SPS) calendar and is closed on SPS snow days.

For more information, please visit TinyTrees.org.

Source: http://parkways.seattle.gov/#sthash.uW9t2RrG.dpuf

Profile of an SPP Scholar–Teacher Tiffany

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Tiffany is a lead teacher at Causey’s MLK site. She has taught at Causey’s for 14 years. When Causey’s Early Learning Center joined the Seattle Preschool Program Tiffany became eligible to take part in the SPP Scholars program. SPP Scholars is a program within the Seattle Preschool Program that provides teachers with funding and support to start or complete their degree in Early Childhood Education.

Tiffany only need a few more credits to complete her degree, and with the support of the SPP scholars program she was able to graduate from Goddard College with a Bachelor’s degree in Dual Language PreK-3rd Education. Congrats!

Here’s a little more about Tifany

Are you a native of Seattle? If not, where are you from and how long have you lived and worked at Causey’s in Seattle?

 I am a native of Seattle and I have worked at Causey’s Learning Center 16 years.

How long have you been teaching Preschool?

 I have been teaching preschool for 14 years

What is your favorite children’s book to read to your class?

I love reading Dandelion by Don Freeman (Even though this is a book that is over 30 years old it sends a great message to myself and children…You’re great just the way you are…don’t change…just be yourself)

TeacherAngel2

What is your favorite activity or subject to teach to your class?

I love teaching and having children explore the arts (Introducing different types of music, songs, dance, acting, painting, drawing)….I believe this helps children find their voice and it promotes self-awareness.

Now that you have your degree how do plan to spend your free time?

 Free time?  What’s that?  I can’t sit still…I want to get back to volunteering and helping people in my community, I miss the interactions and conversations. Also…I really want to go back to school to work towards my teaching certificate.

What is your most favorite thing about teaching preschool?

Giving children opportunities to explore, be free, and enjoy the experience of learning.

If you wish you can also include a few words of appreciation or thanks to someone or a list of folks that have supported you on your journey to complete your degree.

I want to thank my family for their unwavering support and for giving me a solid foundation to become a very strong woman.  Thanks to all of my coworkers who have been very supportive and to the City of Seattle/SPP for helping me complete one of my educational goals.

DEEL Manager, Sonja Griffin, awarded Weikart Award at 2016 HighScope International Conference

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IMG_1189We would like to acknowledge our very own Early Learning Manager, Sonja Griffin who deservingly received the Weikart Award at the Annual 2016 HighScope International Conference in Detroit, Michigan!

Former Department of Early Learning (DEL) Director, Bette Hyde and HighScope Certified Trainer, Kay Rush presented Sonja with this amazing award.

Congratulations Sonja on this award—wonderful work!

“I share this honor with all of our programs using HighScope in Seattle!”-Sonja

We’re so proud!