NASBE Staff has compiled a list of additional resources that maybe of interest to network states. These resources are listed below:

Montgomery County Public Schools:

• NASBE overview piece on Montgomery County Public Schools [NASBE Overview of MCPS]
• Early Success Performance Plan
  o Actual Plan: [Early Success Performance Plan long]

• Early Childhood Longitudinal Impact Report [MCPS early childhood longitudinal impact report]

• Family Involvement
  o "For Parents" homepage on district site, including translated documents in 5 languages.
  o Family Involvement Policy [MCPS- Family Involvement Policy]
  o Study Circles Program [MCPS- Study Circles]

• Strategic Plan available HERE

From Early Developments, published by the FPG Child Development Institute:

• RTI Goes to Pre-K: An Early Intervening System Called Recognition and Response [RTI Goes to Pre-K (FPG Article]
• Creating a New Vision of Early Education [Creating a New Vision for Early Ed (FPG Article)]

Opportunities to Learn in America's Elementary Classrooms by Robert Pianta, et al.

• Overview article originally published in Science [Pianta in Science magazine]
• Supporting Materials [Opportunities to Learn in America's Elementary Classrooms (Pianta)]

From Pre[K] Now:

• Head Start/State Pre-K Partnerships

From the Foundation for Child Development:

• FCD's PK-3 initiative works to build bridges across the early years of children's learning and to ensure qualified teachers are part of every young child's educational experience. PK-3 educators align standards, curriculum, instruction, and assessment both within and across grades from PK through Third Grade. Research indicates that PK-3 elementary school reform has the potential to increase academic achievement and well-being for all children.

o Initiative Homepage

o Collective Bargaining for PK-3 Success

o Taking Steps Toward PK-3 Success

• State and District profiles available under "Learn More: Resource Library" on the page listed above

NASBE staff recommends Building Strong Rungs To Build Sturdy Ladders: The Status of Preschool - 3rd Grade Systems in New Jersey, available HERE.

Maryland Model for School Readiness:

• The Maryland Model for School Readiness (MMSR) is an assessment and instructional system designed to provide parents, teachers, and early childhood providers with a common understanding of what children know and are able to do upon entering school. The MMSR is important because it provides a common goal and language of how parents, teachers, and providers can support young children's learning. MMSR incorporates research-based instruction, age-appropriate assessment of children's learning, and effective communication among teachers, parents, and early childhood providers. Teachers and providers receive on-going staff development to implement these practices. For more information CLICK HERE.
• Maryland School Readiness Report [Maryland School Readiness]

W.K. Kellogg- SPARK Initiative:

• SPARK is a national initiative launched by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation to help grantees in seven states and the District of Columbia unite community resources to better prepare children for school. SPARK seeks to smooth the transition to school and to align early learning and elementary school systems for children ages 3-6 who are vulnerable to poor achievement. The goal of SPARK is "ready children" and "ready schools" that are prepared for all children. SPARK grantees are partnerships of communities, parents, schools, state agencies, and child advocacy groups. Partners work together to support children's early learning and ongoing success, aligning existing services for children now and in the future. SPARK stands for "Supporting Partnerships to Assure Ready Kids."

For more information, including related publications and information about the SPARK sites, CLICK HERE.

A new brochure highlighting the SPARK Initiative

From Education Commission of the States:

Making the Case for P-3.

From the Virginia Department of Education:

Curriculum Review Rubric and Planning Tool.

Book Recommendations:

• School Readiness and the Transition to kindergarten in the Era of Accountability, Edited by Robert C. Pianta, Ph.D., Martha J. Cox, Ph.D., & Kyle L. Snow, Ph.D.
• The follow-up to Pianta & Cox's groundbreaking The Transition to Kindergarten, this book updates readers on what's happened in early childhood education in the past seven years; clarifies influential changes in demographics, policies, and practices; and describes promising early education programs and policies.
• Building Blocks: Making Children Successful in the Early Years of School, by Gene I. Maeroff

A student's entire journey along the educational spectrum is affected by what occurs-and, crucially, by what does not occur-before the age of eight or nine. Yet early learning has never received the attention it deserves and needs. In his latest book, education expert Gene Maeroff takes a hard look at early learning and the primary grades of schooling. Building Blocks offers a concrete and groundbreaking strategy for improving early education. Filled with colorful descriptions and anecdotes from Maeroff's visits to schools around the country, Building Blocks creates a rich portrait of education in America, ranging from math lessons imported from Singapore in Massachusetts to serious but joyful kindergartens in California. He speaks of the need for schools to prepare for the burgeoning enrollment of youngsters from immigrant families and for all children to acquire the habits and dispositions that will make them committed and productive students. Maeroff issues a call to action for policy makers and parents alike.