Organizing for Effective Early Childhood Programs: Pathways'

[Jan Bakker <bakker@NCREL.ORG>]

"Critical Issue:  Organizing for Effective Early Childhood Programs and
Practices" is a new, multimedia essay describing how educators, parents, and
community can collaborate to design early childhood education programs that
are effective in promoting the learning and development of young children.

Part of the Early Childhood component of the popular web site, Pathways to
School Improvement, this research-based but practical "Critical Issue" helps
planning teams make wise decisions about the factors on which the overall
effectiveness of an early childhood program depends.  These factors are:
quality staff, suitable environment, appropriate grouping practices,
consistent schedules, and parent involvement.

The Early Childhood page in Pathways can be accessed at:

http://www.ncrel.org/sdrs/areas/ea0cont.htm

Featured in "Organizing for Effective Early Childhood Programs and
Practices" is  the creation of the Valeska-Hinton Early Childhood Center
serving children of families from a variety of cultural backgrounds and
income levels in Peoria, IL.  As community members and representatives from
a variety of community agencies began the planing process, a dream emerged
for more than just a new school-- rather for a prototype community process
to provide the best start for all its young urban children.

COMING SOON - to Pathways' Early Childhood page:  "Critical Issue:
Assessing Young Children's Progress Appropriately."


   Jan Bakker, M.A. Ed., M.L.S.            bakker@ncrel.org
      North Central Regional Educational Laboratory
Visit Pathways to School Improvement Internet server:
                  http://www.ncrel.org/pathways.htm