Wednesday, August 7, 2013

Game Change


Game Change

As you know, DEL reviewed the first year of Early Achievers and made some MAJOR changes!
The most profound change is that they decided not to publish the “ratings”.  Once you have been rated, if you pass 30 points out of 100, you will be listed as having reached a “Quality Level of Excellence” 
So let’s look at the numbers…
If you pass the minimum level for the ERS (Environment Rating Scale) – which you have to do to move on, you would get 5 points. 
ERS is scored on a 1-7 continuum, with 7 considered excellent and 1 considered
inadequate.
Facility-level score determines points awarded for this component: (for centers,
this means an average of assessed classroom scores)
• 3.5 (5 points)
• 5 (10 points)
• 6 (15 points)
If you pass the minimum level for the CLASS assessment – which you have to do to move on, you would get 20 points (10 for each of the 2 parts)
CLASS: Instructional Support/Engaged Support for Learning domain looks at:
Facility-level score determines points awarded for this component: (for centers,
this is an average of assessed classroom scores)
• 2-3.4 (10 points)
• 3.5-4.4 (15 points)
• 4.5 & higher (20 points)
CLASS: Emotional Support & Classroom Organization/Emotional and Behavioral
Support domains look at:
Facility-level score determines points awarded for this component: (for centers,
this is an average of assessed classroom scores)
• 3.5-4.9 (10 points)
• 5.0-5.9 (15 points)
• 6.0 & higher(20 points)

Here is the math, then.   5 + 20 = 25.  From the remaining 45 possible points, you only need to get 5 more!!
The stakes that were so high, have been removed.  Instead of having to try to get above 70 points to get to Level 4, you now just need to make 30+. 
Whew!!  What a huge relief!!  Let’s move forward!!!


Getting the 5+ extra points will be quite easy: 
You may likely get some points in the Professional Development section.
If you have been participating in the reflective practice group – 2 points
I will be able to send you a detail of the dates and times I have worked with you – up to 3 points
Agreeing to wear the LENA recording device during the UW observation (just records interactions – with no expectation of any threshold) – 1 point

If you provide information for families about resources in the community – 1 point

The list goes on… 

As long as you meet the minimums on the two UW assessments, we will make sure you qualify for the additional points you need.  No reason to put if off any longer – let’s get you on to coaching and improvement  $$!!!

OK – let’s say you just don’t make the minimum on the ERS or the CLASS.  No worries.  As long as you get assessed in 2013 – you can have them come out again in 2014 and redo just the part that didn’t meet the minimum and move up to the above 30 points then.

It’s a real WIN-WIN for everyone.  You get to move on to the next step, and DEL gets to implement the coaching and $$ they have waiting for you.

WAHOO!!