KINDERGARTEN OCTOBER 2, 2014 1 KINDERGARTEN AT THE ECC Race to the - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

STRATEGIC PLAN UPDATE KINDERGARTEN OCTOBER 2, 2014 1

KINDERGARTEN AT THE ECC  Race to the Top Early Learning Challenge  New Jersey Kindergarten Entry Assessment (NJKEA) Pilot  Professional Development Opportunities  Technical Assistance from both NJDOE and Teaching Strategies 2

PURPOSE  Follow up to July Kindergarten Presentation  Answer questions proposed by members of the Board of Education and public  Are their alternative programs to FDK?  What are the benefits of FDK?  What districts have FDK? Why not?  What districts charge for FDK? How much?  What are the facilities challenges and how have districts dealt with those challenges?  What is the time frame for moving ahead with FDK? 3

IMPLEMENTATION OF THE COMMON CORE  The output of the education system in kindergarten is the same, despite structural differences in how kindergarten is provided. 4

THE COMMON CORE  Solve addition and subtraction word problems, and add and subtract within 10. (K.OA.1)  For any number from 1 to 9, find the number that makes 10 when added to the given number. (K.OA.4)  Analyze and compare two- and three-dimensional shapes, in different sizes and orientations, using informal language to describe their similarities, differences, parts and other attributes. (K.G4) 5

 Identify basic similarities in and differences between two texts on the same topic. (RI.K.9)  Participate in shared research and writing projects. (W.K.7)  Distinguish shades of meaning among verbs describing the same general action (e.g., walk, march, strut, prance ) by acting out the meanings. (L.K.5.d.) 6

WHY DOES IT MATTER?  In order to master these skills some children receive:  1,080 hours of instruction AND some only 540 hours of instruction  78% 80% of New Jersey School Districts offer Full-day Kindergarten 7

3 Hour Half Day Kindergarten Schedule 8:45 -- 9:05 20 minutes Arrival and Morning Meeting 9:05 – 9:25 20 minutes Shared Reading 9:25 – 10:25 60 minutes Choice Time (Literacy and Play-based Centers, Guided Reading) Ongoing Investigations and Project Work 10:25 – 10:55 30 minutes Snack, Outdoor Recess and/or Movement Activities 10:55 – 11:25 30 minutes Math Explorations alternated with Writing Workshop 11:25 – 11:45 20 minutes Sharing, Review, Closing, and Dismissal 8

Full Day Kindergarten Schedule 8:45 -- 9:00 15 minutes Arrival 9:00 – 9:15 15 minutes Morning Meeting 9:15 – 9:35 20 minutes Shared Reading 9:35 – 10:35 60 minutes Choice Time with Ongoing Investigations and Project Work and Guided Reading 10:35 – 10:50 15 minutes Cleanup and Sharing 10:50 – 11:20 30 minutes Snack and Outdoor Recess 11:20 – 12:10 50 minutes Math Instruction and Explorations 12:10 – 12:40 30 minutes Lunch 12:40 – 1:05 25 minutes Rest, Independent Reading, and Read Aloud 1:05 – 1:35 30 minutes Writer’s Workshop 1:35 – 2:15 40 minutes Choice Time with Ongoing Investigations and Project Work 2:15 – 2:50 40 minutes Specials 2:50 – 3:10 20 minutes Sharing, Review, Closing, and Dismissal 9

COMPARABLE DISTRICTS  Peer Group 41/53 offer FDK  IJ District Factor Group  Space Constraints  Expense – Associated costs  Availability of Private Programs within the community 10

PROPOSED COMMUNITY SURVEY Which best describes you? 1.  Berkeley Heights resident whose children are of kindergarten age or younger.  Berkeley Heights resident whose child/children are currently attending district  schools.  Berkeley Heights resident whose school age child/children attend private  school.  Other Berkeley Heights resident. Strongly Agree, Agree, Neutral, Disagree, Strongly Disagree I believe that the current half-day kindergarten program is preparing 2. my child for the next academic year. 11

4. A full-day kindergarten program would contribute to greater academic success in the content areas (mathematics, language arts literacy, social studies, science) as compared to half-day programs. Yes, No, Undecided 5. If proposed, would you support a referendum to increase property taxes for a full-day kindergarten program? 6. If a full-day kindergarten program was offered at the Early Childhood Center, would you enroll your child? 6. If yes, would you be willing to pay a fee for a full-day kindergarten? 12

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS  Extended Day Program  ½ Year Full Day/Half Day  Redistricting  Two PreK-2 nd Schools  Two 3 rd – 5 th Schools  Loss of Neighborhood Schools 13

COST OF FULL DAY KINDERGARTEN  Berkeley Heights Certified Cost $ 10,365  Mountainside  Summit WRAP (additional ½ day) $ 5,500  St. Andrew’s (8:55-2:35) $ 8,700  Primrose School (inclusive of before/aftercare) $13,500  Our Lady of Peace $ 7,000 14

FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS  One-time Costs  Referendum for building addition at MKM ECC and start up costs.  On-going Costs  Increase budget using banked cap for initial implementation costs  Unanswered Questions  How would this impact transportation? o Reduce mid-day routes & add buses to beginning and end of day. Potential savings $20,000 o Do we continue courtesy busing?  What building renovations are required? 15

ONE TIME COSTS  Construction  Classroom Furniture  Technology Equipment  Estimated Cost: $3 – 3.5 Million 16

ON-GOING COSTS  Salaries and benefits $ 427,000  Teachers 5.5  Additional personnel $ 197,000  Special teachers 1.0  Custodian .5  Playground aides and HELP 9 (PT)  Utility costs $ 7,800  Instructional supplies $ 5,400 TOTAL $637,200 17

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS  Unanswered Questions  How would this impact transportation? o Reduce mid-day routes & add buses to beginning and end of day. Potential savings $20,000 o Do we continue courtesy busing???  What building renovations are required? 18

LASTING BENEFITS ? In 2007, researchers followed students entering full and half day kindergarten throughout their third grade year. Students who were in the full day cohort exceeded the national average on standardized tests out performing their half day counterparts. The study ended when the students completed third grade. At the duration of the study, the students were still exceling beyond the half day students. Walstrom, K., Michlin, M., & Hansen, A. (2007). Full-Day Kindergarten . University of Minnesota: Center for Applied Research and Educational Improvement. 19

FADE OUT  A meta-analysis by Harris Cooper and Associates indicates, Students in full-day programs did better on academic achievement tests at the end of the year than children who attended half-day programs. These academic differences fade out by the end of 3 rd grade. Cooper, H.; Allen, A. B.; Patall, E. A.; Dent, E.L. 2010. 20

TIMELINE  November, 2014  Conduct survey  December, 2014  Create a feasibility committee inclusive of board members, administration, teachers, and parents.  January-June, 2015  Conduct a review of buildings and grounds to accommodate full day Kindergarten.  Explore additional options including, moving preschool offsite, extended day for students considered “at - risk”, restructuring school configuration, (K-2, 3-5), a township referendum for addition to existing ECC. 21

 Summer, 2015  Report findings to Board of Education  November, 2015  Referendum  April, 2016  County approves budget  Summer, 2016  Construction  September, 2016  Implementation 22

STRATEGIC PLAN UPDATE KINDERGARTEN OCTOBER 2, 2014 23

STRATEGIC PLAN UPDATE KINDERGARTEN JULY 24, 2014 24

BACKGROUND INFORMATION 25

CONSULTATION  New Jersey Principals and Supervisors Association Early Childhood Committee  Vincent J. Costanza, Ed.D. Executive Director Race to the Top Early Learning Challenge NJ DOE Division of Early Childhood  Kathleen Priestley Consultant to the National Institute for Early Education Research and Advocates for Children of New Jersey 26

EXCITING NEWS  Race to the Top Early Learning Challenge (RTT-ELC)  Pilot District for New Jersey Kindergarten Entry Assessment (NJKEA)  Professional Development Opportunities  State Steering Committee charged with creating 1st through 3rd Grade Guidelines 27

STRATEGIC PLAN GOAL  Consider what students need for 1 st grade success.  To enhance “readiness” for first grade, consider options including but not limited to, full day kindergarten, “progressive” kindergarten (starts with 1/2 day, ends with full day), extended day kindergarten, transitional primary programs, putting K/1 st back in elementary schools. 28

THE CHANGING LANDSCAPE OF KINDERGARTEN  Solve addition and subtraction word problems, and add and subtract within 10. (K.OA.1)  For any number from 1 to 9, find the number that makes 10 when added to the given number. (K.OA.4)  Analyze and compare two- and three-dimensional shapes, in different sizes and orientations, using informal language to describe their similarities, differences, parts and other attributes. (K.G4) 29