MA Principals and Early Learning Leaders Get Answers to Tough Questions

May 5, 2010 - PRLog -- [Cambridge, MA] -Community Advocates for Young Learners, the CAYL Institute, hosted a successful statewide assessment policy roundtable for over 150 Principals and early learning educators on May 1, 2010 in Marlborough, MA. During the full day session, participants worked with the CAYL Institute’s Boston Public School Principal Fellows to share information on effective teaching and appropriate assessment strategies for the increasing ranks of three, four and five year olds pouring into Massachusetts elementary schools.

As the day progressed, the sold out event made standing room only accommodations for the Principals and early learning leaders who arrived from across the state to speak with federal and state level education officials. Valora Washington, the CAYL Institute President, commented on the magnitude of the event and the initiative taken of those who attended Saturday’s early learning assessment discussion, “The role of the principal or program director is one of the most important factors for school reform. There is virtually no documented instance of a troubled school being turned around without the interventions of a powerful leader. This event is a good start.”  The Principals and early learning program directors present at this unprecedented forum heeded a call to action to move the assessment practices for Massachusetts’ youngest learners in the direction to best meet their needs now and to lay groundwork for future success.

Early learning colleagues in attendance were treated with a keynote address by Dr. Jacqueline Jones, U.S. Department of Education, Senior Advisor for Early Learning, who provided a federal perspective on the topics raised and insight on the future vision for the U.S. Department of Education’s early learning initiatives. Dr. Jones offered strategies to ease the transition from the traditional K-12 continuum of learning model towards a model that successfully integrates early learning programs. When outlining the critical components for implementing a coordinated state early learning system that starts at birth, Dr. Jones’ remarks echoed those of the CAYL Institute President, Valora Washington, about the importance of early learning leaders’ roles in ensuring success. Jones commented, "I'm delighted to participate in this meeting of principals and program directors. Their leadership and commitment to ongoing professional development has been critical to the success of early learning programs across the state."

The policy roundtable Teaching, Testing, Learning & Leading: A Policy Roundtable for Massachusetts Elementary School Principal and Early Learning Leaders is part of the CAYL Institute’s professional development leadership series to support Principals and early learning professionals provide young learners with a high quality education that best meets their needs within any setting. All who attended left with answers to their many questions about the impact of federal guidelines on accountability and outcomes for their Pre-K through third grade students. Just Holmes, a 2008 CAYL Schott Fellow and Preschool Manager for the City of Cambridge Department of Human Services,  commented “This policy roundtable gave me the opportunity to hear the priorities the government is setting, link them to state and local levels, as well as practitioners by building relationships through shared stories. I can now start to develop strategies that are actionable on all levels.”

BPS Principal Fellows led the dialog on a range of topics affecting young learners with the emphasis on assessment practices and the ability to become effective leaders who take action to provide a high quality, developmentally appropriate education for young children within their schools. The groups worked together to identify what they believe are the most pressing issues currently facing them as education leaders of schools currently serving children below age six, then presented their comments and tough questions for insight to a panel consisting of state level education leaders and Dr. Jerlean Daniel, the Executive Director, Designate of the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). In addition to the federal perspective provided by Dr. Jones, Dr. Daniel and state level panelists–Massachusetts Secretary of Education, Paul Reville; Early Education and Care Commissioner Sherri Killins; Elementary and Secondary Education Commissioner Mitchell Chester– joined Dr. Washington in an early learning panel discussion which presented a framework from which attendees could emulate leadership principles articulated in the CAYL Institute’s Principals’ Toolkit.

After contributing the MA Department of Early Care and Education’s voice to the discussion, Commissioner Killins shared her thoughts about the day’s activities. “The ability to ensure children have a love of learning and curiosity that supports them as life-long learners is the responsibility of the intentional actions of adults, families, caregivers, and instructional teachers. This event provides an opportunity for shared learning, aligned practice to ensure the success of our youngest citizens.” Overall, the discussion provided participants with a robust early learning agenda from which they could leave the forum and transform their own leadership into actionable objectives that would transition their schools into Ready School environments while enhancing their ability to teach and assess the young learners they serve.

The CAYL Institute also honored Boston Public Schools Superintendent, Carol R. Johnson, with the CAYL Catalyst Award for Elevating Excellence in Early Care and Education for her commitment towards paving the way for statewide NAEYC accreditation in Massachusetts. During her presentation remarks, Dr. Daniel indicated, “Only 8% of all early childhood programs nationwide have yet to accomplish this.” With seven programs currently accredited and fifteen in the pipeline, total accreditation will make Boston the first large urban school district to meet the NAEYC accreditation standards. The CAYL Institute is planning another professional development opportunity for Principals in July at its National Conference in Columbus, Ohio entitled: Ready Schools: Your Leadership in systems that help young learners thrive. For more information contact Jennifer Trapp at jtrapp@cayl.org, or visit the CAYL Institute website at www.cayl.org.

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Community Advocates for Young Learners, or the CAYL Institute, is the umbrella organization housing several well-known Fellowships including the CAYL Schott Fellowship in Early Care and Education and the CAYL Principals Fellowship. With support of the Nellie Mae Education Foundation and the Boston Public Schools, the CAYL Institute provides a lens and perspective to Principals to experience, network, listen, learn, and implement best practices for young learners. The CAYL Institute envisions a nation where the right to high quality early education and care is embedded in public policy and professional practice.