The Rhode Island Early Learning Standards Project provides three professional development opportunities to support early care and education professionals in creating high-quality, Standards-based programs for young children.  Professional development participants receive exceptional training from experienced RI Department of Education Certified Trainers, work in small and large groups, share information, reflect on past and current practice and complete assignments that lead to improved early childhood practices.

Choose the Level that meets your needs:

Level I: Using the Rhode Island Early Learning Standards to Support Children’s Learning

Level I is the preferred training option for many center-based teacher assistants and family childcare providers interested in gaining knowledge and skills in using the Standards to design learning activities.  Participants in this fifteen-hour, 5-session training will learn about the Rhode Island Early Learning Standards, create activities that help children learn skills associated with school success and find new ways to encourage families to help children learn using Fun Family Activities for Pre-Schoolers

Upon successful completion of the 5-session training, participants will receive a Level I Certificate of Achievement from the RI Department of Education and are eligible to earn 1 college credit through the Community College of Rhode Island. 

Level II: Implementing a Standards-based Program

This intensive, competency-based training for lead teachers and experienced early childhood professionals is designed to improve teaching practice by implementing a quality curriculum aligned with the Standards, engaging in authentic assessment, using a variety of teaching strategies that build upon children’s interests, learning styles, and developmental levels, and engaging families in their child’s education.  Participants in this training will develop a Practitioner Portfolio to document their progress in implementing Standards-based practices in the area of curriculum, assessment, differentiated teaching and learning, and family engagement.

Participants in this session should have a strong early childhood background with knowledge and experience in the areas of curriculum and assessment.  Individuals should have a minimum educational background of a CDA plus 12 Higher Education Credits in Early Childhood Education or Child Development.

Training includes ten 3-hour workshops throughout the year at a time most convenient to participants.  Participants who successfully complete the 30 hours of training receive a Level II Certificate of Achievement through the RI Department of Education.  Participants who complete 30 hours of core training plus 15 hours in the Saturday Next Steps series are eligible to receive three graduate/undergraduate credits through the University of Rhode Island.

Level III: The Administrator’s Role in Implementing a Standards-based Program

This intensive training for administrators of early care and education programs builds upon the core elements of implementing a Standards-based program and focuses on program-wide implementation, policy and management issues, supporting teaching staff, and the dynamics of systems change.  Administrators participating in this training will develop a Program Portfolio to document their progress in implementing a standards-based program.  Participants who successfully complete 30 hours of training receive a Level III Certificate of Achievement through the RI Department of Education.  Participants who complete 30 hours of core training plus 15 hours in the Saturday Next Steps series are eligible to receive three graduate/undergraduate credits through the University of Rhode Island.

Next Steps

The Next Steps Saturday morning series offers a menu of three-hour sessions designed to extend the learning of both administrators and practitioners who are engaged in Level II and Level III training.  Topics include Play: The Foundation of All Learning Improving Communication with Families Improving Your Assessment and Observation Skills, Understanding the Components of Quality Curriculum, and more.  Sessions are designed to support administrators and practitioners in building their Program and Practitioner Portfolios.