Latest News
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Story Written by Mary Lou Aguirre for The Kingsburg Recorder
February 2, 2012
It was a night of heart-felt thank yous from the winners of the 90th Kingsburg District Chamber of Commerce annual dinner and awards meeting held Thursday, Jan. 26 at the Young Life Auditorium. The evening began with the Kingsburg Future Farmers of America's "Call to Order" ceremony, the singing of the National Anthem by E.J. Hinojosa and presentation of the colors by VFW Post No. 6152. Pastor Dean Youngblood of The Potter's House Church said the invocation. Karri Hammerstrom, 2012 president of California Women for Agriculture, was the emcee. The chamber designated the theme as "Saluting Agriculture."
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Story Written by New America Media
ORANGE COVE, Calif.--Gabriela Ramos had hardly knocked when four-year-old Fátima Martínez opened the front door of her family's home and ushered in her preschool instructor.
With a dimpled smile on her face, Fátima sat down at a miniature Disney princess-themed table in the middle of her family's living room. Ramos joined her, and launched into a bilingual lesson focusing on colors, shapes and animals.
Just a few feet away, Fátima's mother, María Martínez, a farmworker, sat at the edge of the couch. She smiled and nodded as Fátima matched pairs of shapes.
"Muy bien," Ramos said in an animated voice. "Good job, Fátima!"
Fátima spends just one hour a week with Ramos, a home-based preschool teacher with the Fresno County Office of Education's Migrant Education school readiness program. That one lesson -- which is packed with stories, English and Spanish vocabulary words, and arts and crafts -- could put Fátima on the path toward long-term educational success.
But despite the proven success of preschool programs like this one, poor access to them is dimming future prospects for many Latino children--and for the state's economy.
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Published on the Cabinet Report
By Tom ChorneauWednesday, August 31, 2011
With many districts starting to gear up for the new transitional kindergarten requirements, the Commission on Teacher Credentialing has issued guidance to clear up uncertainty over the appropriate credentials and permits for the class.
Starting next year, the entry age for kindergarten moves forward one month – thus children must be five years old by November 1.
To soften the impact of the change to families as well as to address calls for more age-appropriate services – the Legislature is also requiring districts to provide “transitional” kindergarten for those 4-year-olds that otherwise would have qualified for starting school.
There have been a number of questions posed to the CTC about who can teach the transitional service and the short answer is: those who teach kindergarten today.
Transitional kindergarten classrooms as defined in statute are not preschool classrooms or child development programs. Thus, holders of Children’s Center Instructional or Child Development Permits including those with the school-age emphasis are not authorized to teach transitional kindergarten.
Transitional kindergarten classrooms can be staffed by holders of a teaching credential or permit that authorizes general education instruction in a self-contained classroom for the grade level of kindergarten, according to the CTC.
Administrators are reminded by the CTC that students identified as English learners in a transitional kindergarten must have the same level of services as those in kindergarten. That is, instruction in English Language Development or Specially Designed Academic Instruction in English services must have a teacher authorized to provide the appropriate English learner instructional services indicated, the CTC said.
Specifically, the CTC says the following credentials are authorized for instruction in transitional kindergarten classrooms:
General: Kindergarten-Primary (grades K-3); Elementary (grades K-8)
Standard: Early Childhood (grades preschool-3); Elementary (grades K-9)
Ryan/SB 2042: Multiple Subject (grades preschool, K-12 and adults); Multiple Subject University Intern (grades preschool, K-12 and adults); Multiple Subject District Intern (grades K-8); Specialist Instruction Credential in Early Childhood Education.
To read more click here:
Related links:
CTC alert
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The UCLA Center for Labor Research and Education releases the Economic Impacts of Early Care and Education in California study.
This study finds that the $5.6 billion early child care and education (ECE) industry supports $11.1 billion in economic output in California. The authors estimate that spending on ECE supports nearly 200,000 jobs, and state ECE spending results in more than half a billion dollars in state and local tax revenue. The study finds that every dollar spent on ECE yields $2 in economic output for the California economy. Find a link to the report on our website.
Download the report at the Center for the Study of Child Care Employment. For a companion study specific to Fresno County download the Econonmic Impact Report for Fresno County.
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Working together, early learning advocates make a positive difference in the lives of children in our community. Across Fresno County, intelligent, creative and dedicated individuals have researched the unique challenges of children with special needs, children in foster care, and teen parents and their children, seeking ways to support them. Advancements have been made in quality improvement of programs, ECE workforce development, building agency capacity, and in promoting the importance of quality early care and education programs to the community and to elected officials.
This video recently produced by An Ounce of Prevention is an excellent promotional piece that supports the shared mission. Click here to preview.
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Published by Fight Crime Invest in Kids
High quality early education programs serving low income children have been proven to produce significant economic returns and deter crime. Over the long term, high quality preschool can save up to $16 for every public dollar spent, with savings resulting from reduced crime, corrections and education costs. Preschool also helps cultivate a well-educated, skilled workforce by giving young children a strong foundation of social and intellectual growth.
I believe that inspired and motivated children grow up to be inspired and motivated adults. Education dollars in this year's budget were removed from early preschool programs like the ones I was able to see first hand. I stand for the restoration of funding for quality early education as a means of protecting public safety. Children's safety and education should be of concern to everyone in the legislature.
To learn more about the benefits of early education's benefit towards crime prevention and economic growth, visit the Fight Crime: Invest In Kids website.
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The Pew Center on the States released a publication summarizing national Pre-K efforts. The publication, Pre-K as a School Turnaround Strategy, spotlights local efforts in Fresno County to increase access to high-quality preschool as outlined in the Fresno County Voluntary Preschool Master Plan.
The Pew Center on the States is a division of The Pew Charitable Trusts that identifies and advances effective solutions to critical issues facing states. Pew is a nonprofit organization that applies a rigorous, analytical approach to improve public policy, inform the public and stimulate civic life. For more information visit The Pew Center.
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A message aimed at parents has been airing in TV and radio commercials: You are your child's first teacher.
The slogan's goal is to encourage parents to be more involved in their children's early education.
"Preschool can absolutely occur in the home with mom or grandma," said Wilma Hashimoto, associate director of early care and education with the Fresno County Office of Education.
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The new report, California 2025: Preparing for a Better Future, examines a range of problems facing the state in education and six other areas. Policies that strengthen data tracking and improve pre-kindergarten programs are needed now to ensure the state's children are successful in the 21st century, according to a study released last week by the Public Policy Institute of California.
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A recent poll commissioned by Preschool California and Univision, Inc. assessing Latino voters attitudes toward preschool and early learning showed early learning is priority issue for Latino voters, and that Latino voters are significantly more likely to support candidates who support preschool and early learning. Statistics reveal Latino children account for more than half of all children under age 5 in California today. It is safe to say the state’s future depends on ensuring young Latino children have access to high-quality educational opportunities. Currently, 1 in 5 registered voters in California is Latino. The poll which was conducted in July by Democratic pollster Peter D. Hart Research Associates and Republican pollster The Tarrance Group revealed the following highlights:
- 86% of Latino voters think children who attend preschool have an advantage over children who do not attend.
- Main reasons Latino children are not in preschool are: lack of affordable programs, part-day programs do not fit schedules of working parents, and parents lack information about programs available.
- 91% of Latino voters across all demographics and political affiliations agree that despite California’s economic and budgetary challenges, the state should continue to support access to high-quality preschool.
- 69% say they are more likely to support candidates who want to increase funding to make high-quality preschool and early learning more accessible and affordable.
- Latino voters think pro-preschool candidates will lead California to a better future and are focused on the right priorities.
Click here to download the briefing presentation.
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California bill pushes back the kindergarten entry date
By Tracy Correa
Sunday, October 31, 2010; A12FRESNO, CALIF - Monica Hoenig could have enrolled her 4-year-old son, Ryan, in kindergarten this year, but she was concerned that his lack of maturity would cause him to lag academically - not only now, but in years to come.
So she signed him up for a pilot transitional kindergarten program at Washington School, a charter school in Kingsburg, Calif.
The transitional program gives Ryan an extra year to learn some of what's taught in kindergarten. But he also can learn at a slower pace - and with far less pressure to master skills such as writing.
The new program in Kingsburg, one of a growing number of transitional kindergarten classes across California, would be mandated under proposed state legislation that would raise the age of kindergartners and give younger children a chance to be better prepared when they enroll.
Parents and some education activists have tried for years to raise California's age requirement for kindergarten, but past bills failed to win legislative support.
In most states, children must turn 5 by Sept. 1 to enroll in kindergarten. However, California 4-year-olds can enroll in kindergarten as long as they turn 5 by Dec. 2. Only three other states - Connecticut, Michigan and Vermont - allow such young children to enter kindergarten.
Critics of the change worry that raising the age requirement would cause some children to lose out on a year of learning, especially those whose parents couldn't afford private preschool or qualify for government-sponsored preschool.
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It is worth noting when the nation’s top central banker talks about things besides interest rates and inflation, and earlier this month Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke took time to urge state policymakers to continue investing in early childhood education. Click here to read more...
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Transitional Kindergarten at Washington Elementary School:
Getting Kids Ready for Success in SchoolBeginning this fall, Washington Elementary School opened a new classroom for 25 of the district’s youngest kindergarteners, providing them with an extra year of preparation before kindergarten to develop the skills that will help them succeed in elementary school and beyond. The program at Washington Elementary, called Transition Kindergarten, is part of a pilot program being offered through the Kingsburg Elementary Charter School District in Fresno County, and will allow children additional time to mature socially, emotionally, cognitively and physically in the year before kindergarten. Children in the Transition Kindergarten class will benefit from focused instruction and hands-on activities that encourage them to develop skills and concepts at their own pace. The new class will emphasize language, pre-literacy and early math instruction to build a foundation for future learning.
Click here for more information on Transitional Kindergarten.
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Early Learning Advocacy Day was held in Sacramento on July 15 and is being hailed as a great success, with more than 350 early learning supporters from across the state—including teachers and providers, parents, business leaders and others –who came to the state Capitol to advocate for high-quality early care and education programs. Participants including a well represented group from Fresno County met with more than 100 state legislators and staff members to share their stories about how high-quality early learning programs have benefited California’s children, families and communities. View Early Learning Advocacy Day photos and download materials.
In this time of unprecedented fiscal crisis, Early Learning Advocacy Day, hosted by the California Association for the Education of Young Children and Preschool California and co-sponsored by 60 organizations, showcased the strength of our coalition of early care and education supporters. Advocates spoke with one voice to tell legislators that in these tough economic times, high-quality early learning programs are a critical long-term investment for California.
Earlier in the day, supporters heard from an impressive lineup of early learning speakers, including current State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O’Connell, Santa Clara County Superintendent Charles Weis, State Superintendent of Public Instruction candidate Larry Aceves and Donita Stromgren of the California Child Care Resource and Referral Network. Guest speakers Assemblymember Joan Buchanan, Assemblymember Julia Brownley and Senator Carol Liu reiterated the importance of California’s early care and education programs and asked advocates to remind their legislators that “our children are worth fighting for.” The two delegations from Fresno County were able to meet with our local representatives: Senator Dean Florez, Assemblyman Juan Arambula, Assemblyman Chinook Shin, and Assemblyman Mike Villines.In addition, Wilma Hashimoto, FCOE associate director of Early Care and Education was an invited guest speaker who showcased the Special Needs/Foster Youth articulation plan which was hailed as an innovative and inclusive preschool plan for our most vulnerable ECE population.
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Every year First 5 Fresno County recognizes five local businesses that encourage and support child-friendly practices. A child-friendly business allows parent employees to be productive workers as well as the best parents they can be. This year, the Fresno County Office of Education was one of the five recipients of the 2010 Child-Friendly Business Award.
Photograph provided by First 5 Fresno County.
Photograph provided by First 5 Fresno County.Click here for a complete list of the First 5 Fresno County 2010 Child-Friendly Business Award recipients.
Additional coverage:
First 5 Fresno County Website
The Business Journal -
Gains at the L.A. Universal Preschool programs were especially significant for learners of English. Read more...
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The California Head Start Association and Child Care Results has released the 2010 California Head Start Child Outcomes Bulletin. The report illustrates the advancement of Head Start participants in several developmental areas, such as language and literacy, math, motor, and social skills.
Click here to download a copy of the 2010 California Head Start Child Outcomes Bulletin.
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On February 1, 2010, Sheriff Margaret Mims made a special visit to Herndon-Barstow Elementary in the Central Unified School District. The visit was in support of the mission of FIGHT CRIME: Invest in Kids California, a statewide, bipartisan, nonprofit, anti-crime organization of 400 police chiefs, sheriffs, district attorneys and victims of violence.
Decades of research has shown that an effective preschool experience is one of the best crime-prevention tools around. When children attend preschool, they learn how to get along with other kids and resolve conflicts peacefully. They learn the basic social and pre-academic skills that will prepare them to succeed later in life. Down the road, they perform better in school, are more likely to graduate, and are less likely to ever be arrested.
Sheriff Mims reads "Tickle Monster", written by Josie Bissett, to children in Cora Ramos' preschool classroom. -
AVAILABILITY OF THE THIRD DRAFT 2009 INTERIM REPORT
The California Early Learning Quality Improvement System (CAEL QIS) Advisory Committee is required to develop an interim report on its progress in developing a policy and implementation plan for the Early Learning Quality Improvement System. The CAEL QIS Interim Report will be provided to the Legislature and the Governor by January 2010, and a final report is due by December 31, 2010 (required in SB 1629 2008). A copy of the draft 2009 Interim Report can now be found on the CAEL QIS Advisory Committee Web page. The CAEL QIS Advisory Committee and the California Department of Education (CDE) are interested in your feedback on the draft Interim Report. To that end, CDE established an e-mail address to receive final comments and suggested edits regarding the CAEL QIS draft 2009 Interim Report. The e-mail address is caelqisdraftrpt@cde.ca.gov. In order to provide time to make changes to the draft interim report, please submit all corrections and suggestions by December 21, 2009.
The draft interim report gives a brief history of the legislation establishing the Advisory Committee and focuses on the work over 2009 of the Advisory Committee, as well as the five Subcommittees. The report also highlights the current state of California’s Early Learning and Care System. Through the Western Regional Federal Comprehensive Center, the American Institute of Research (AIR) has partnered with CDE to write the interim report.
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The Fresno City College Child Development Center was honored at the 30th Annual Golden Bell Awards program of the California School Boards Association. The award was won in the Early Childhood Education category, recognizing the Center’s success in providing high-quality early childhood education and is a P-18 model throughout the state.
The CSBA Golden Bell Awards program promotes excellence by recognizing outstanding programs in school districts and county offices of education throughout California. The Golden Bell Awards reflect the depth and breadth of the education programs necessary to address students’ changing needs. The goal of this awards program is to contribute to the development and evaluation of curriculum, instruction and support services.
From left to right: Mary Ann Cusator; Sheila Collins; Christine Culbertson; Mary Mattern; Fresno County Board of Education President Keith Eubanks, and Board Member Delbert Cederquist; Deborah Marius
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Assemblyman Danny Gilmore, R-Hanford, read to preschoolers at Washington Elementary School on Nov. 13 during a visit to the campus aimed at promoting early childhood education. Gilmore represents Kingsburg in the state Assembly.
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The town hall meeting on the Quality Rating Improvement System was a tremendous success. The opening message included a view of the federal landscape for early care and education presented by representatives from Preschool California. Additionally, Dennis Vicars, Chair of the State of California Early Learning Quality Improvement System advisory presented the draft contents of the state’s proposal. Mr. Vicars was particularly interested in hearing from our local Quality Rating System task team chair, Wilma Hashimoto, about the development of the Fresno County system for improvement. The Town Hall meeting allowed for a healthy dialogue between the designers of the state’s system and the task team members of our local plan.
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A new report from WestEd Center for Child and Family Studies profiles the status of children and their families in California, including demographic, social and economic conditions
