News
Pyramid Partnership Picks Up Pace!
September 1, 2015
Along with other Race to the Top - Early Learning Challenge (RTT-ELC) grant work, the NM Pyramid Partnership is rolling full steam ahead with implementation. The Pyramid Partnership addresses the social and emotional development of young children and helps early childhood personnel address challenging behaviors. This includes using CSEFEL training curricula and a tiered support approach across early learning programs. The first round of preschool trainings were a success and we’ve been receiving great feedback! The Infant/Toddler Modules of the training will soon be rolled out so keep your eyes open for Save the Dates; the first part will be held in October with the second half scheduled for November.
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On August 3rd, CYFD hosted their fifthFOCUS on Young Children’s Learning cohort at a Kick-off in Albuquerque! Fifty state licensed programs participated and the energy in the room was electric. They are the first cohort that will use our new database system, WELS, from the outset and we couldn’t be more thrilled. Educators and directors were excited to start their journey with FOCUS and bring their quality to the next level. CYFD and their partners from UNM Continuing Education were on hand to answer questions and to provide support to everyone who came.
Joining FOCUS fosters program leadership, cultivates teacher quality, and supports positive outcomes for all children. FOCUS meets programs where they are and brings them to the next level of quality. Similar to AIM HIGH, FOCUS is voluntary. Any licensed early childhood program may apply. Programs must meet 2-Star criteria to participate. To apply, go to www.newmexicokids.org.
Other early learning sectors (including PreK, Preschool special education, FIT Early Intervention and Home Visiting) are at various stages of developing their FOCUS Tiered Quality Rating and Improvement System criteria.
The KOT team is excited to releasethe New Mexico's Kindergarten Observation Tool video! With the help of pilot participants and other members of the education community, we have created a video to introduce the KOTl. You can access the video on the Early Learning NM website. You will also find additional resources for download, including a new fact sheet and parent brochure.
KOT Field Test Update
To date, 33 teacher training sessions have been conducted across the state by KOT Trainers, culminating in around 300 teachers from 49 districts and charters across the state being training to participate in the field test this fall. Teachers have begun using the KOT in their classrooms to gather valuable information about what their students know and can do within the first thirty instructional days of school. This information will positively impact the teachers’ decision making in regards to instructional methods and curriculum design for the rest of the year. We are looking forward to reviewing the data that will be submitted by October 15th, 2015.