NAEYC Sessions Focus On Preserving Pre-K Gains and Putting Data to Work

Source for Learning Experts To Lead Presentations

RESTON, Va., Oct. 19 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The 2010 annual conference of the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) in Anaheim CA will be the setting for two presentations of major interest to educators.

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Preserving Pre-K's Benefits

A major challenge confronts early education professionals: despite the proven benefits of quality early learning, those benefits tend to fade when children make the transition to kindergarten and early elementary school. There's a growing conviction among teachers and administrators that the best way to preserve Pre-K's achievements and ensure long-term school success is a seamless high-quality program that spans Pre-K through 3rd grade.

A distinguished panel will deal with this subject in depth, exploring practical ways to maximize the benefits of early learning. Panelists include representatives from the Institute of Human Development and Social Change at NYU, the New America Foundation, the National League of Cities Institute for Youth Education and Families, and the Harvard Graduate School of Education.

The organizer and moderator of the panel is Cheryl Roberts, Ed.D. Her background includes leadership of the early childhood program of the D.C. Public Schools, and work as Director of Education at the Gesell Institute. She's currently vice president of The Source for Learning (SFL, www.SourceForLearning.org), a nonprofit company that provides web-based services to educators and parents.

The presentation, entitled "Bridging the Divide Between Pre-K and K-3 to Ensure Long Term School and Program Success," will take place on November 3 from 1:00-4:00 pm at the Anaheim Convention Center, room 210 C/D.

Putting Data to Work

Many early childhood programs use monitoring systems to document early learning outcomes, but it's often difficult for program leaders to use the data to make sound collaborative decisions.

A presentation at the NAEYC conference will show early childhood professionals and administrators that what may look like dry figures and charts are actually rich sources of information. With the proper tools and procedures, the information can be invaluable in improving program quality and shaping practices.

The results of a pre-conference survey will help focus work-group discussions. The expected outcome is practical strategies for involving staff in a comprehensive program evaluation and developing a continuous program improvement plan.

The session is called "There is power in numbers! Using data-driven decision-making to ensure positive early learning outcomes." It will be lead by Mari Blaustein, B.S., SFL's Director of Early Childhood Initiatives, and Kamna Seth, M.S., Senior Manager of Educational Services. It will take place on November 4 from 2:00-3:30 at the Anaheim Marriott-Grand Ballroom Salon F.

The Source for Learning provides services to educators and families of children from birth through high school. Early learning professionals are served by www.PreschoolFirst.com. Families with young children benefit from www.GrowUpLearning.com. K-12 teachers find extensive resources at www.TeachersFirst.com, and www.TeachersAndFamilies.com assists families of K-12 students.

SOURCE The Source for Learning