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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.
If you would like further information
about RI Early Learning Standards Professional Development
groups being planned for September, 2008 in communities
throughout the state, contact:
| Deb Morelle, RI Early Learning Standards Professional Development Coordinator |
| 721-6416 or debmorelle@cox.net |
If your agency is interested in
sponsoring a professional development group of your own, contact:
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