Case study power point

• 1. Academic Readiness Skills for Pre-Kindergarten Students
  Melissa R. Smith
  

2. Introduction
High quality early child care is a key factor in laying a solid foundation for school readiness for children from birth to 5 years of age.
the learning experiences of the preschool years provide a foundation that guides children academically, socially, and emotionally (Texas Prekindergarten Guidelines, 2008)
3. 4. Advance school-readiness
Provide solid foundation for later academic achievement success.
5. Background about the School
Forever Growing
1990 in Alvin, Texas by Denise West
Curriculum designed to teach academic, reading and social readiness skills to children ages 2-5.
Problem solving, phonological and phonemic awareness, and social dialogue
6. Classrooms split according to age groups/milestones reached in the curriculum
Mission Statement
Provide small class sizes
Teacher as a guide
Attainment of knowledge was a continuous process
Schools symbol
Caterpillar and a Butterfly
7. Forever Growing Preschool
8. Background about the Problem
Forever Growing is struggling to keep up with the demands and expectations of public education!
There is increase enrollment (teachers need to be hired and trained)
Growing economic concerns
Training current teachers in cost-effective methods (current educational theories)
9. Specific (Functional) Area of Interest
in a recent report on the portrait of American children entering kindergarten, increasingly large numbers of children enter school without the cognitive readiness skills needed to succeed (Assel et al, 2007)
10. Forever Growing is a dynamic step towards solving the Kindergarten crisis!
The schools program trains its teachers to delineate the a literacy rich curriculum, up to date learning theories and specific teaching models.
11. The Specific Problem
Forever growing is only funded through:
The director
Tuition of the students
Director tries to keep costs down to reach a wider range of students
School is located in a part of a poverty stricken area
Biggest problem this year is the increase school costs and decreased amount of available funds
12. The Schools Current Strategy
Scholarship
Local businesses sponsor 1-2 students
Director has made every effort to raise funds in the community
Director has cut costs in the facility
Director has made every effort not to raise tuition considerably high
However, economy is having a negative effect on the schools budget
13. Schools Future Strategy
Local Businesses
Help with school fundraising
Donation Matching
Community
One time financial gifts or donations
14. Teachers
Will forgo annual raise
Attend free professional development seminars at the local college
Tuition will be increased 6%
Director has updated the facilities equipment to become more energy efficient
Director has cut paper and printing costs
Director is currently researching ways the school may be able to receive federal, state and district funds
15. Alternatives
Tuition increase more than 6%
Annual Meeting to discuss tuition increases and alternative ideas/ways to cut costs
Community Outreach for help
16. Conclusion
Preschool years are an essential time in the students academic career.
Solid Foundation
Building Blocks
Learn essential academic and reading skills and social interaction
Private daycaresand early childhood centers should be assisted financially by the federal or state governments.
17. References
Assel, M. A., Landry, S. H., Swank, P. R., & Gunnewig, S. (2007, July). An evaluation of curriculum, setting, and mentoring on the performance of children enrolled in pre-kindergarten. Reading and Writing, 20(5), 463-494. Retrieved from http://www.hwwilson.com/Documentation/WilsonWeb/howtocite/howtocite.htm
Early, D., Bryant, D., Pianta, R., Clifford, R., Burchinal, M., Ritchie, S., et al. (2006). Are teachers' education, major, and credentials related to classroom quality and children's academic gains in pre-kindergarten? Early Childhood Research Quarterly. 21(2), 174-195.
Early, D., Maxwell, K., Burchinal, M., Bender, R., Ebanks, C., Henry, G., et al. (2007). Teachers education, classroom quality, and young childrens academic skills; Results from seven studies of preschool programs. Child Development, 78(2), 558-580.
Neuman, S. B. (2005, October). Readiness for reading and writing: What does it mean? Scholastic Early Childhood Today, 20(2), 8. Retrieved from http://www.hwwilson.com/Documentation/WilsonWeb/howtocite/howtocite.htm
Smith, M (Producer). (2011). Forever growing: Interview with Denise West [video]. Alvin, Texas.
Welcome to the Texas prekindergarten guidelines. (2008, May). Revised Texas prekindergarten guidelines [TEA release]. Retrieved October 19, 2009, from University of Texas System and Texas Education Agency website: http://ritter.tea.state.tx.us/ed_init/pkguidelines/PKG_Final_100808.pdf