Michigan's Great Start to Quality Ratings Will Expand from Early Childhood to School Age Students
DETROIT, Feb. 10, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- As the nation increasingly moves toward implementing state level quality ratings and improvement standards for early child care and pre-Kindergarten programs, Michigan is looking ahead to ensure that equally rigorous standards are established for school age children. Michigan's Department of Education, Office of Great Start, is expanding its quality initiative, Great Start to Quality, to include development of a model for school age children.
The work will be undertaken by the Early Childhood Investment Corporation (ECIC), based in Lansing, Mich., which oversees the implementation of quality standards of care for young children (ages 0-12) and education for care providers across the state. In Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties, United Way for Southeastern Michigan partners with ECIC, providing the Great Start to Quality Regional Resource Center, which is responsible for implementing quality standards throughout Southeastern Michigan, including the city of Detroit.
"Just as Great Start to Quality for early childhood was developed collectively, the community's input has been sought to design an appropriate quality rating and improvement system to serve students from kindergarten to age 12," said Carol Tresik, Director, Great Start to Quality Regional Resource Center for Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties. Tresik will serve on the Steering Committee for the K-12 expansion.
To learn more about Great Start to Quality and the School Age Design expansion, sign up for the Great Start to Quality School Age e-bulletin here. Updates will be sent regularly to share the status of the project and suggest ways for bulletin readers to become involved and provide feedback on the design of the model.
For more information, contact Carol Tresik, Director, Great Start to Quality Regional Resource Center for Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties at 313.515.7953 or via email at [email protected].
About Great Start to Quality
Great Start to Quality is Michigan's statewide rating and improvement system to increase the quality of early learning and care provided by licensed child care programs serving high needs children ages 0-5 years.
About The Early Childhood Investment Corporation
The Early Childhood Investment Corporation (ECIC) is an independent, publicly-owned nonprofit coordinating Michigan's efforts to build an efficient and effective early childhood development system, with direct responsibility for the development and implementation of Great Start to Quality.
About United Way for Southeastern Michigan
United Way for Southeastern Michigan mobilizes the caring power of Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties to improve lives in measurable and lasting ways throughout the region. The organization is led by a diverse group of volunteers from business, labor, government, human services, education and the community. United Way provides opportunities to invest in the metropolitan Detroit community through its annual Campaign and is a leader in convening partners to impact local residents each year by increasing economic self-sufficiency, protecting children and youth at risk, strengthening families, empowering neighborhoods and communities, and promoting health and wellness. Additional information is available at www.liveunitedsem.org.
SOURCE United Way for Southeastern Michigan
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