A Project Sponsored by the McCormick Foundation

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• A Project Sponsored by the McCormick Foundation

Center for the Study of Education Policy Illinois
State University
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Purpose

• To focus on supporting K-12 school leaders
  and early childhood center directors to develop
  and nurture a seamless PK-3
  early learning continuum.

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Defining the Problem

• Lack of communication partnerships among early
  care and K-12 educators
• Minimal preparation and professional development
  for K-12 school leaders and early childhood
  directors regarding early learning
• A need to view learning as a continuum of whole
  child development

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Project Goal 1 Research

• Summarize and make publicly accessible current
  research and policies regarding an aligned system
  of early learning to grade 3 and the role of K-12
  and public and private early childhood leaders in
  this continuum.
• Research Compendium
• Policy Scan
• Gap Analysis

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Project Goal 1 ResearchDelphi Method Survey

• Purpose To define, formulate the issues and
  develop policy recommendations for PK-3 alignment
  
• Method Collect LINC Advisory Committee Members
  positions using a succession of surveys that
  build upon the results of prior studies. Surveys
  will be electronic and take approximately 20-30
  minutes to complete.
• All responses will be confidential.

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Project Goal 2 Recommendations/Outreach

• With advisory committee members, prepare policy
  recommendations to improve the early learning to
  grade three alignment in Illinois and create
  opportunities for public outreach.
• Create policy recommendations based on research,
  policy scan and gap analysis
• Conduct public outreach activities

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Project Goal 3 Leadership Training

• Develop or enhance existing curriculum and
  training for both aspiring and practicing K-12
  leaders and early childhood directors.
• Develop curriculum modules in collaboration with
  other McCormick Foundation grantees and early
  childhood and K-12 organizations.
• Make modules and training available to leadership
  preparation and professional development
  providers.

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Statewide Advisory Group

• Legislators
• College of Education Faculty
• Early Learning Organizations
• K-12 Education Organizations

• State Education Agencies
• Parent Organizations
• Student-Centered Organizations
• Teachers Unions

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Project Timeline

• Phase I Research June 08-Nov 08
• Phase II Recommendations December 08
• Phase II Outreach January 09-May 10
• Phase III Training February 09-May 10

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Project PersonnelCenter for the Study of
Education PolicyIllinois State University

• Lisa Hood Principal Investigator
• lhood_at_ilstu.edu
• Dr. Erika Hunt Co-Principal Investigator
• elhunt_at_ilstu.edu
• Lynne Curry Co-Principal Investigator
• lcurry_at_ilstu.edu
• Dr. Nancy Latham Co-Principal Investigator
• nilatha_at_ilstu.edu
• Elizabeth Foste Graduate Assistant
• 
  eafoste_at_ilstu.edu
• Diana Weekes Executive Assistant
• dlweeke_at_ilstu.edu

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• A Project Sponsored by the McCormick Foundation