Date Submitted: Fall 2023
Contact information: Contact person was Susan Kimmel but she has since retired
Focus population: Children, teachers, Caregivers, Administrators
Goals and outcomes: Project was not implemented by the Clearinghouse
Brief/executive summary of program: This submission proposes to implement the Early Learning Quick Assessment (ELQA) and comprehensive high-quality professional development in literacy and numeracy in several rural childcare centers, Head Start, and public preschool/pre-k programs in Oklahoma to close achievement gaps.
The following critical components comprise ELQA: Starting Right.
• The Early Learning Quick Assessments (ELQA) are a series of web-based, teacher-friendly, quick assessments that monitor progress in early literacy and numeracy skills during pre-kindergarten and kindergarten (ages 3-5). Children's skills are assessed at intervals throughout the school year so teachers can identify children at risk for not meeting early targets and differentiate instruction to prepare children for kindergarten and beyond.
• Ongoing professional learning and coaching assure fidelity of implementation.
The goal of ELQA: Starting Right is to improve access to and use of high-quality early literacy and numeracy measurements and scientifically based strategies for differentiated instruction in preschools and childcare centers. Regular use of valid, reliable, yet quickly administered measures can help identify children at-risk, organize groups for most appropriate learning activities, and monitor ongoing progress effectively. Consistent implementation of proven instructional strategies has been shown to close achievement gaps and support a diverse population of learners.