NIEER


National Institute for Early Education Research  (http://www.nieer.org/)

The National Institute for Early Education Research  conducts and communicates research to support high-quality, effective early childhood education for all young children. The Institute offers independent research-based advice and technical assistance to policy makers, journalists, researchers, and educators.

NIEER publishes Preschool Policy Matters, a set of research briefs, which address early childhood education issues such as class size, preschool attendance, Head Start teachers, and outcomes and assessments. The site also presents fact sheets on some of these issues and covers special education, culturally responsive education, and issues faced by English Language Learners.

Abbott Preschool Program Longitudinal Effects Study: Fifth Grade Follow-Up

   In 1998, the New Jersey Supreme Court took an unprecedented step and ordered the state to provide high-quality Pre-Kindergarten programs to all 3- and 4-year-old children in 31of the state’s highest poverty districts, also known as Abbott districts after the long-running Abbott v. Burke school finance case. Since then New Jersey has committed to providing preschool for all children in poor districts and all poor children living in non-poor districts.

 If New Jersey stands by its pledge to ensure preschool teachers are well qualified,highly-trained professionals then the state must stand by its teachers and help them reach their fullest potential. Using New Jersey statewide assessment and school placement data provides strong evidence that the Abbott Preschool program has produced persistent, meaningful gains in achievement for children in the state’s most disadvantaged communities. Achievement gains were particularly large for children who attended the program for two years.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Establishing Professional Contact

This assignment is proving to be a challenge. I sent emails to the International Step by Step Association in the Netherlands, Macedonia and Santo Domingo. I still have not received a response

 I did send email to the Canadian Child Care Federation and received a response today. I have to share that truly put a smile on my face.  I am keeping my fingers crossed  that I receive a notice on the others. I received the NIEER newsletter today. I was surprised to skim through some of the articles, and one of the articles was about the Governor's and  Pre-K Budget.  That topic is a big concern for us here in New Jersey due to the fact the our Governor doesn't seem to favor early childhood education that well.  That was a topic of discussion today when the Master Teachers came to our school.  When they go to meetings in Trenton, the share a lot with us informally.

My Supports

 If looking forward scares you and looking back hurts you, then look beside you. I will always be there, holding your hand the whole way.
                                                                                                                                 ~ Ash Sweeny

Everyone goes through many challenges in life. I have shared in my blog the wonderful support my mother had given me all through my life. She is definitely my life line. The long running joke within the family is the umbilical cord is still attached. Joking aside, I don't think I would be were I am if it wasn't for her. My mother always believed in me and was always on my side in all  decisions I made. All through elementary school she always made sure to go to meetings, christmas shows, book fairs. When I said I wanted to be a pianist, she went and got me a piano. When that phase ended, I said I wanted to be a doctor, I got every doctor kit imaginable, then I wanted to be a teacher, I got a chalkboard and a small desk placed in my room.  My mother was there with me when I divorced my first husband and helped me with my daughters. They were 8 and 5. Once I made the decision to go back to school my mother jumped at the chance and helped me financially. One night I went to bed and woke up the next day in an ambulance. My life took another turn when the doctor diagnosed me with epilepsy. I suffer gran mal siezures in my sleep and wake up from then not recognizing anyone or where I am. The last one I suffered a heart attack. I gave up. I became afraid and made the decision to quit. After my tantrum, my mother took out the photo album pointing to the pictures of my 8th grade, high school, and college graduation. "After you feel better, look back with a sensible mind and then make a decision." After taking some time off to get adjusted to the medication I went back to school.

Being back in school, I do have moments when I feel defeated and overwhelmed, and yes I have had epileptic episodes, but I know I can turn to my mother when I need help. I know many have beautiful stories about their parents and the support system that they built together,  My mother is mine.  What would I do if I didn't have her support? Well, I know that I wouldn't be in school. I know that having epilepsy would take its toll on me and I don't think I could be the mother I am to my daughters without having my mother as an example.