Delaware Stars TQRISVerna Thompson Delaware Department of Education

Mary Sonnenberg University of Delaware

Historical perspective - 2011 Delaware Governor Markell and

General Assembly appropriated $22 million Boost the state’s child care subsidy

systemFund the administration of StarsFund a tiered reimbursement

component December 2011 – RTTT-ELC awarded

As part of the Early Learning Challenge, public schools could now participate in Delaware Stars

Revision of Stars Standards Practice Principles: Continuity,

Inclusion, Intentionality

QRIS Development in Delaware

619 Workgroup

Decision made to use same system for all early care and education Completed alignment document

Stars standards and 619 federal regulations; state procedures Revised 619 Procedures Manual to align to DE Stars standards

Will lead to clearly defined procedures for 619 programs Will lead to improved inclusive settings for 619 programs

RTTT ELC Target for participation and # children with disabilities

In 2012, 7 of the 16 school district 619 programs volunteered to participate

619 programs recruiting community programs to apply to DE Stars

619 Participation in Delaware Stars2012

May achieve Star Level 3 If they have less than 50% typically developing peers in

classrooms If they have required documentation listed in 619 Procedures

Manual Score at least a 3 on Early Childhood Environment Rating

Scale – Revised (ECERS-R)

May achieve Star Level 4 or 5 If they have at least 50% typically developing peers in all

classrooms If they have required documentation listed in 619 Procedures

Manual Score at least a 4 or 5 on Early Childhood Environment Rating

Scale - Revised (ECERS-R)

619 Participation in Delaware StarsRequirements to Promote Inclusion in 2012

Barriers to being able to move forward… Limited slots for state-funded preschool

School districts limited resources to support typically developing peers

ERS assessment

Part-day programs

During this time one program moved forward and became a Star Level 4

Good idea…but not quite there

Cross-sector work group reconvened

Looked at challenges and ways to meet them and develop options for inclusion

Work group committed to school districts being part of QRIS

Looked at different ways to meet standards

Created Alternative Pathway for 619 programs Revised crosswalk

Guidelines for programs with multiple funding streams

Portfolio review

Inclusion planning document

Back to the table…

Today what we are seeing… 11 of the 16 school district 619 programs in Delaware Stars

Multiple sites per school district 7 now rated Star Level 4 under Alternative Pathway 4 new applications Programs requesting assessment for Star Level 5 Increased interest in participation

Inclusion Planning Document Blended programs, braided funding streams Co-teaching in four school districts Increase in itinerant teachers Collaborative training with community based providers Individualization of strategies in increase inclusive practices that work for

the districts

Moving in the right direction…

Seven districts have quality classrooms meeting standards for Star 4

Four districts going through major restructuring of their programs to improve inclusion while participating in Delaware Stars

Three districts are completely inclusive

What a difference…

Dealing with funding streams and structures Continue to be challenges Different regulations and procedures

Creative strategies for increasing inclusion Developing Collaboration with community-based providers

Survey results - supports and resources addressed Implementation

QRIS Standards For all children

ERS Curriculum Accommodations

Work in progress