State profiled in documentary about early childhood education
Across the country educational institutions and governments have tried to ensure every student has an equal opportunity to education and success. Most have relied on reaching students K-12, but the State of Alabama decided to put an even greater emphasis on early childhood education, recognizing children have the most potential for growth from pre-K to third grade. Last July the state launched a pilot program to help improve student success by aligning effective teaching strategies and improving collaboration among educators. “A strong start in the early years of a child’s education ensures a strong finish in their later educational endeavors. Whether a student will find success in school and the workforce is traditionally evidenced in their performance by third grade,” said Gov. Kay Ivey. Now, the state’s efforts are being featured in short-form documentary, “Starting at Zero: Reimagining Education in America,” which highlights the impact of early learning on future economic development in Alabama. The film premiered during the National Forum on Education Policy hosted by the Education Commission of the States (ECS) in Washington, D.C. Jeana Ross, Secretary of Early Childhood Education, presented on early childhood alignment from pre-k through third grade. “We know that investing in quality early learning impacts a child’s future far beyond the classroom,” said Governor Kay Ivey. “Alabama remains committed to ensuring the highest quality early learning experiences for our children, so that every child has access to the opportunities that prepare them for success in life.” This is an introduction to an upcoming full-length documentary featuring Alabama and the nation’s highest quality state-funded pre-kindergarten program, produced by the Saul Zaentz Charitable Foundation for the Saul Zaentz Early Education Initiative and the Harvard Graduate School of Education. Filmed in December 2017 at locations throughout the state including First Class Pre-K classrooms at Satsuma City Schools in Mobile County, F.S. Ervin Elementary in Wilcox County, Madison City Pre-K Center in Madison County, and the RSA Head Start in Montgomery, the film features interviews with Ivey, Secretary of Commerce Greg Canfield, and businessman Jeff Coleman. Every single one of the state’s 67 counties are served by First Class Pre-K, with more than 2,000 qualified pre-k teachers employed statewide and almost 20,000 students participating in First Class Pre-K and the new Pre-K – 3rd grade pilot program. “We are proud and excited to share our state’s success story with the country,” said Ross. “Alabama has built a nationally-recognized program of equity and quality, and we are committed to supporting these efforts to provide a deeper understanding of the value of investing in early childhood education.” Leading the nation For the past twelve consecutive years, Alabama has led the nation in quality while continuing to expand access to the voluntary, state-funded pre-kindergarten program from fewer than 2 percent to almost 30 percent of eligible four-year-olds statewide. According to research conducted by the University of Alabama at Birmingham and the Public Affairs Research Council of Alabama, students who participate in First Class Pre-K are more likely to be proficient in reading and math at every grade level. First Class Pre-K will officially break the 1,000-classroom-mark in the upcoming 2018-2019 school year and will serve more than 18,864 four-year-olds. Over the past 5 years, the Alabama Department of Early Childhood has overseen the largest expansion of the state’s voluntary First Class Pre-K program while maintaining the program’s nationally recognized quality standards.
Women of Influence: Department of Early Childhood Education Secretary Jeana Ross
Few women in education have worked as long, and as hard to advance the education of young children in Alabama as Jeana Ross. A Guntersville native, Ross earned her Bachelors degree in Early Childhood Education from the University of Alabama in Birmingham, and her Master’s in educational leadership from the University of Alabama. She began her career in the Jackson County school system in 1975, teaching second and third grades. From there, she taught in the Guntersville education system, continuing her work with children in kindergarten through the third grade, and became one of the first kindergarten teachers in Alabama Public Schools, a full-day program. “My love for children’s curiosity and delight of discovery created a strong desire to always participate in and facilitate the pure joy of learning,” Ross told the U.S. Department of Education in an interview. When she started her own family, Ross chose to take a break from her career, and focussed on raising her two sons. In 1997 she jumped back in to the workforce, full speed ahead. Starting back as a preschool teacher, Ross was given the opportunity to write school readiness standards for the Marshall County school district. With her focus now turned on developing other children throughout the state; she quickly advanced to a leadership position, coaching pre-k teachers, and building pre-k programs in school systems across the state. In 2008 she became the Director for Educational Services in the Boaz City School Systems, implementing and evaluating Early childhood education programs. From 2010-2011 she served as the Assistant Principal at Madison City Schools, until she was appointed by then Governor Robert Bentley to lead the Alabama Department of Early Childhood Education. Through Ross’s leadership, the department has made leaps and bounds. Turning the state’s fragmented early childhood education programs into award winning, nationally recognized curriculums. Under her watchful eye, the program has experienced the most growth in its history; growing from 211 classrooms to more than 900 classrooms located in all 67 counties in the state. Her department has also been responsible for writing and receiving over $100 million in federal grant awards for education. The program has also received national recognition, with Alabama being one of only four states in the nation to be recognized by the National Institute for Early Education Research (NIEER) for meeting all 10 of the NIEER quality benchmarks. As a member of Governor Kay Ivey‘s cabinet, she is also a leader of the Children’s Policy Council, the Children First Trust Fund, and the Head Start Collaboration Office, and a founding member of the Office of School Readiness Advisory Board and Evaluation Task Force. Ross has always held a special interest, and love for children from low-income and has secured over $7.5 million in grant funds over the course of her career to offer quality services to low income and at-risk children and families. Through her efforts, the Alabama Department of Early Childhood Education has experienced tremendous growth, in numbers, and in the quality of the programs offered. Ross is an expert leader and educator, spending over two decades advancing the Alabama education system, and improving the lives of the children she encountered along the way. In spite of her busy schedule, Ross was kind enough to take some time, and answer some of Alabama Today’s questions on her life, work, and influences. How have other women influenced your success? I have been greatly influenced by the effort of devoted educators, many of whom are women, who work regardless of pay or recognition every day to teach children and champion their right to reach their greatest potential. These women are examples of selflessness and responsiveness that provides children powerful opportunities to find purpose and experience success that impacts their entire life through an excellent education. An incredible mother and two dear grandmothers, true examples of graciousness, humility, love and determination continue to inspire me. What shaped your desire to work in education, and then in government? A love for a child’s curiosity and delight of discovery created a strong desire to always participate in this pure joy of learning and to protect it as much as possible. What has been your favorite area of service, and what is your favorite thing about that position? My opportunity for service from the first was centered around early learning and has remained my favorite area of concentration. The first five years are the most important in a child’s development. It is during these years that a foundation is established that shapes a child’s future health, skills and abilities. A position at the state level that enables me to be part of an amazing team of experts that with great energy and enthusiasm effect change and creates a system of support for the early years is a much-appreciated responsibility. Have you read any books that have shaped your perspective on life? The Bible is the book that has most shaped my perspective on life. It has given me understanding of purpose, knowledge of truth and acceptance of my limitations. It provides guidance and strength to continually improve and persevere in serving others. What advice would you give to young women who want to pursue careers as educators, or serve in state government? Surround yourself with positive and innovative people that value authentic collaboration and strategic risk-taking. Never under estimate the power of communication and honesty. How do you spend your (rare) free time? During rare free time, I enjoy entertaining, gardening and reading and most of all being with family.
Alabama’s pre-k program named nation’s highest quality program
Governor Kay Ivey announced on Wednesday for the 12th year in a row, the sate’s First Class Pre-K program has been recognized as one of the nation’s highest quality state-funded pre-kindergarten programs for four-year-olds. Since 2003, the National Institute for Early Education Research (NIEER) has released a report titled the “State of Preschool Yearbook.” It is the only national report on state-funded pre-k programs with detailed information on enrollment, teacher qualifications, funding, and other policies. In the 2017 edition of the report, Alabama is listed as one of only three states who meet all 10 of the new NIEER quality standards. The program has seen a lot of growth since 2016 with enrollment increasing by 2,700 children in the 2016-2017 school year; 14,032 total four-year-olds were enrolled in a First Class Pre-K classroom in Alabama the same year. “The most important part of a child’s learning journey is a solid educational foundation,” Ivey said. “Providing a high-quality education for all Alabamians, at every stage of life, is my goal. For the 12th consecutive year, Alabama is a national leader in this arena. I am proud of the work of our Pre-K programs and I am thankful for the dedication of Secretary Ross in leading this program.” Currently, the First Class Pre-K program is located in 941 classrooms across the state, and has been proven to increase reading and math proficiency for children in poverty. This year, NIEER added new requirements to its quality benchmarks, including a new requirement for programs to be culturally sensitive, supported, and aligned with other state standards and child assessments; supports for curriculum implementation; professional development and coaching for lead and assistant teachers; and a continuous quality improvement system. Jeana Ross, Secretary of Early Childhood Education, has overseen the large expansion of the program and has sought to maintain the same quality standards; “As Alabama continues to expand access to high-quality, voluntary pre-k for four-year-olds, the Department is committed to ensuring the highest quality early learning experiences – without compromise.” Ivey has been working with the Alabama Legislature to increase the 2019 budget for the program to $96 million, which will fund an additional 100 classrooms, increasing the number of children served to more than 32 percent, and will allow the Department of Early Childhood Education to pay pre-k teachers a balanced wage to K-12 public school educators.
New study finds First Class Pre-K attendees more advanced than peers
A new study released on Tuesday, on behalf of the Alabama Department of Early Childhood Education found children in Alabama who voluntarily participated in the First Class Pre-K program are more likely to be competent in reading and math than their peers. “These findings prove that what we are doing in Alabama is working. Our First Class Pre-K program is second to none and our students are benefitting,” said Gov. Kay Ivey. “Now we must work to take the methods of instruction in Pre-K and implement them into kindergarten, first, second and third grade classrooms. Success breeds success and a strong educational foundation is the basis for the success of all Alabamians in the future.” The study also concluded that the program was notably effective with minority students and students from low-income families. “The latest analysis of the First Class Pre-K program provides the clearest evidence to-date that participation in Alabama’s high-quality, voluntary First Class Pre-K program is helping students succeed throughout their time in school, what is most exciting about this report is how the lessons learned in Alabama’s First Class Pre-K are persistent in every grade and in every race and ethnic group, with the most profound impact demonstrated by some of the state’s most vulnerable children,” added secretary of the Alabama Department of Early Childhood Education, Jeana Ross. The study, titled “Achievement Gap Closure and Gains Associated with Alabama’s First Class Pre-K,” was conducted by the University of Alabama at Birmingham and the Public Affairs Research Council of Alabama. The research team also observed that attendance in Alabama’s First Class Pre-K program: Narrowed the gap in reading proficiency by 28 percent for all children in poverty; 32 percent for White children in poverty; 31 percent for Hispanic children in poverty; and, 26 percent for Black children in poverty. Narrowed the gap in math proficiency by 57 percent for all children in poverty; 71 percent for Hispanic children in poverty; and, 37 percent for Black children in poverty. Increased reading proficiency for children in poverty by 12 percent overall; 25 percent for Hispanic children in poverty; 23 percent for Black children in poverty; and, 3 percent for White children in poverty. Increased math proficiency for children in poverty by 13 percent overall; 17 percent for Hispanic children in poverty; 16 percent for Black children in poverty; and, 10 percent for White children in poverty. The Alabama First Class Pre-K program is located in 941 classrooms across the state. The National Institute for Early Education Research has named the program the nation’s highest quality pre-k program for the past eleven years.
Robert Bentley announces 115 new preschool classrooms, $15 million in VPK grants
Gov. Robert Bentley announced an action on Tuesday that aims to boost Alabama’s troubled public education regime. Bentley’s office says they have approved 115 new First Class Pre-K classrooms, bringing the total number of classes in the voluntary early education program to more than 800 statewide. The expansion will be bolstered by $15 million in new state grants, which will give some 2,700 additional Alabama 4-year-olds access to pre-Kindergarten schooling. Experts say preschool can be decisive for students’ future educational attainment. The additional classrooms will go into effect for the 2016-17 school year, according to Bentley. “Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten is a proven program that prepares students for success,” said Bentley in a statement. “Only 20 percent of Alabama’s 4-year-olds are currently enrolled in the First Class program. Along with the support of legislative funding, we will continue to expand access to this program until every Alabama parent who wants their child to attend has access. I appreciate the staff at the Department of Early Childhood Education for working hard to help organizations receive grants,” said Bentley. The move required approval by lawmakers, which it received during the 2016 Legislative Session. “Alabama First Class Pre-K is a high-quality program of excellence that provides children the rich learning experiences that significantly impacts school achievement and life success,” Alabama Department of Early Childhood Education Secretary Jeana Ross said. “The First Class Pre-K program model produces real, sustained results in closing the learning gaps for children and fosters the social, emotional and cognitive development of all children. As the access to this high-quality program continues to expand, Alabama will determinedly preserve this standard of quality.” Allison Muhlendorf, executive director of the Alabama School Readiness Alliance, also expressed her gratitude for the new funding. “We are grateful that state leaders once again prioritized some of the growth in the Education Trust Fund budget to expand Alabama’s high-quality, voluntary First Class Pre-K program,” said Muhlendorf. “As a result, more families than ever before will be able to find a First Class Pre-K classroom in their community.” According to ASRA, education funding with the new increased totals changes as follows: FY 2017 Funding: $64.5 million, an increase of $16 million over the current year funding. Number of New First Class Pre-K Classrooms Projected for 2016-17: 155 Approximate # of New First Class Participants Projected for 2016-17: 2,800 Approximate Total # of First Class Pre-K Sites Projected for 2016-2017: 807 Approximate Total # of First Class Participants Projected for 2016-2017: 14,600 Projected Percent of State Four Year Olds with Access for 2016-2017: 25 percent
