Goals & Actions Steps: Early Childhood

Early Childhood: Programs for young children (birth to age 5) and their families that provide support for optimal development in the early years and a foundation for success in kindergarten, during elementary school, and throughout life. Research-based resources support the healthy cognitive, social, emotional, and physical development necessary for a smooth transition into school. Enriched learning opportunities for families and young children help establish ongoing partnerships that empower parents to promote children's future learning and healthy, productive lives.

2010-11 Goal #1: Increase the quality of current services to families of children, prenatal to age 5, by aligning the Early Childhood Pre-Kindergarten program with the Parents as Teachers (PAT) program.

Action Steps	Person(s) Responsible	Accountability Measure
Action Step 1.1: Increase number of PAT certified educators.	Early Childhood Department, Instructors, Paraprofessionals, PAT Educators, Parents	25% increase in the number of certified PAT educators in Early Childhood Program on October 1, 2011 as compared to October 1, 2010.
Action Step 1.2: Integrate Pre-K Utah state core guidelines with PAT Born to Learn® curriculum.		Integrated curriculum written in professional development agendas, lesson plans, and educator evaluations.
Action Step 1.3: Provide successful transition to kindergarten for students who are enrolled in Salt Lake City School District pre-K programs.		Rosters of participants at summer K readiness programs and PAT family group meetings targeted at kindergarten transition.
Action Step 1.4: Hold pre-K/PAT family group meetings in all Title I schools.		Completed group meeting evaluations by parents after each meeting.
Action Step 1.5: Provide opportunities for parents during family group meetings to network and become more involved in planning the meetings.		Written meeting agendas, surveys, and evaluations listing parents as leaders or participants; written reports of numbers of parents in attendance.

2011-12 Goal #2: Increase the number of families served through the Early Childhood Programs: Parents as Teachers (prenatal to age 5), Pre-Kindergarten for three- and four-year-olds, and kindergarten readiness classes.

Action Steps	Person(s) Responsible	Accountability Measure
Action Step 2.1: Seek funding resources to provide health benefits for pre-K/PAT staff.	Early Childhood Department, Instructors, Paraprofessionals, PAT Educators, Parents	Funding sources on October 1, 2011 increased over resources on October 1, 2010 by amount sufficient to pay for benefits for Pre-K and PAT staff.
Action Step 2.2: Increase outreach to underserved populations through parent groups, home visits, and 3-year-old/parent cooperative classes.		At least one parent group at each Title 1 school; each instructor makes at least nine home visits for each of their five families each year; at least one 3-year-old/parent cooperative class at each Community Learning Center.
Action Step 2.3: Integrate cultural relevancy into professional development training.		Content listed on professional development agendas; teacher lesson plans including cultural awareness and cultural relevance.