photo with fall tree and pumpkins with the text that says fall issue 2024

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Update from the Executive Director:

P-3 Instructional Best Practices and the Science of Reading

Dear colleagues,

A literacy rich environment, full of books, stories, poems, conversation, and joy, is an important and essential part of the Prekindergarten to Grade 3 classroom. I clearly remember my childhood trips to the local and school library and all the joy I experienced stepping into new fictional worlds. The State Education Department has a long-standing commitment to student learning standards that are rooted in the science of reading and provide guidance for what a student should know and do in reading. In this year’s law (Education Law §818), the Department has been tasked with providing school districts with Prekindergarten to Grade 3 Literacy Instructional Best Practices aligned to the science of reading.

The instructional best practices will be shared with districts before January 1st, 2025. Additionally, on or before September 1st, 2025, each school district shall verify to the Commissioner that their curriculum and instructional practices in the subject of reading in P-3 align with all the elements of the instructional best practices provided by the Department. In the coming months, the Department will publish additional guidance on the best practices and attestation process.

On January 7th, in partnership with the BOCES and Big 5, the Department will hold a hybrid virtual rollout meeting for the P-3 Literacy Instructional Best Practices. Registration for local meetings will be held through the BOCES and Big 5, so stay tuned for more information. In the meantime, please see the series of Literacy Briefs the Department has published, which were developed by Dr. Nonie K. Lesaux, Professor of Education and Human Development at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, and Katie C. Carr, M.Ed. The Literacy Briefs, along with the K-3 Literacy Curriculum Review Guide, can be found on the Department’s Literacy Initiative webpage.

We look forward to sharing these new resources with you!

Erik Sweet

Executive Director-Office of Early Learning

Integrating the Arts in Early Childhood Education

Integrating the arts into early childhood education is a great way to foster creativity, self-expression, and critical thinking in young learners. Through activities like music, visual arts, movement, and drama, children develop fine motor skills, enhance language abilities, and gain confidence. Incorporating the arts into the early childhood curriculum gives students the opportunity to explore the world around them in new ways.

Below is a collection of resources to help support and inspire arts integration in the classroom.

Dance, Music, and Theater

Carnegie Hall Kids – Online Games

The Kennedy Center – Web Post

PBS Kids: Music Games – Online Games

PBS Learning Media – Dance, Music, Theater

Media and Visual Arts

Met Kids – Online Interactive

PBS Kids: Arts Games – Online Games

PBS Learning Media – Media Arts Resources

PBS Learning Media – Visual Arts Resources

Smithsonian Kids – Games & Videos

Navigating PreK Day, Thursday, May 8, 2025, Albany, NY. Save the date for our annual Navigating PreK Day! District administrators and business officials can join us for a day of inspiring speakers, engaging workshops, and valuable networking opportunities. Register now: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/navigating-prek-day-2025-tickets-1029160997247

paper cutout of an earth with children on top with the text supporting emergent multilingual learners

Supporting Emergent Multilingual Learners- Best Practices for Prekindergarten

The Office of Early Learning has recently developed a resource to support programs and classrooms in implementing best practices for developing the language and literacy of Emergent Multilingual Learners through culturally responsive approaches. The Supporting Emergent Multilingual Learners- Best Practices for Prekindergarten resource and more can be found on the Office of Early Learning's Supporting Special Populations webpage.

Image of the cover page for the Implementing the CR-S Framework in the PreK Classroom

Implementing the CR-S Framework in Prekindergarten

As an extension of the Culturally Responsive-Sustaining Education Framework, this guidance was designed to support Prekindergarten educators in creating student-centered early learning environments that honor, reflect, and affirm the student diversity found in our classrooms today. Implementing the Culturally Responsive-Sustaining Education Framework in Prekindergarten is grounded in four principles, which include: A Welcoming and Affirming Environment, High Expectations and Rigorous Instruction, Inclusive Curriculum and Assessment, and Ongoing Professional Learning. This resource can be found on the Office of Early Learning website.

Resources from the Center for Standards, Assessment, & Accountability at WestEd

Looking for meaningful and student-focused systems for understanding student progress? The Center for Standards, Assessment, and Accountability (CSAA) at WestEd supports educators in the development and use of rigorous standards and student-focused assessment and accountability practices. Check out their website for a content-rich library of resources!

CSAA at West Ed

photo of people working at tables during the october collaboration council meeting

October UPK Collaboration Council Meeting

The NYSED Office of Early Learning, in conjunction with the NYS Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS), has formed a UPK Collaboration Council to identify successes and challenges to prekindergarten collaboration between school districts and community-based organizations (CBOs). Membership is comprised of school district and CBO representatives, representatives from the Governor’s office, and other community stakeholders.

On October 16^th, the Collaboration Council conducted its second meeting of the year, this time in person at the OCFS Training Center in Rensselaer, NY. The focus of this meeting was to further discuss the challenges regarding UPK collaboration and to brainstorm potential solutions. The day opened with remarks from Executive Director of NYSED’s Office of Early Learning, Erik Sweet, and Deputy Commissioner in the Division of Child Care Services at OCFS, Nora Yates.

The meeting provided a valuable platform for all stakeholders to engage in a productive and open dialogue regarding prekindergarten collaboration. Members of the council were placed in workgroups based on topics of interest identified in previous meetings. Topics included funding, program requirements, teacher qualifications, and instructional requirements.

Overall, the meeting underscored the importance of continued dialogue and problem-solving between all stakeholders to better strengthen prekindergarten collaboration and access across the State. Collaboration Council meetings will continue throughout the 2024-2025 school year, with the next meeting taking place in January 2025, where stakeholders will begin to identify actionable steps that can be taken to overcome some of the challenges identified throughout this process.

Thank you to the members of the Collaboration Council for dedicating their time to this important work:

Alyson Tarek, NYS Governor’s Office

Ashley Young, Buffalo CSD

Bob Frawley, Adirondack Birth to Three Alliance

Bonnie Caldwell, CSEA Voice Representative

Carolyn Wiggins, NYS Head Start Association

Christina Guastella, Central Islip UFSD

David Kolczynski, Care-A-Lot Child Care

Dr. Florence Prophete-Barbour, Harbor Child Care

Erika Bezio, Saranac Lake CSD

Geraldine Laybourne, Day One Early Learning Community

Howard Milbert, Ossining Children’s Center

Ileana Infante, NYS Governor’s Office

Jacob Dixon, Choice for All

Jennifer Coggio, East Ramapo CSD

Simone Hawkins, NYC Department of Education– Early Childhood Division

Kristen Kerr, New York Association for the Education of Young Children

Maureen George, Cheektowaga CSD

Meredith Menzies, Early Care & Learning Council

Michael Burns, Questar III BOCES

Pam Ratliff, Copenhagen CSD

Patty Persell, NYS Council on Children and Family Services

Sandra Polikowski, Amsterdam CSD

Sharon Hutchinson-Jones, Northern Rivers Early Childhood Center

Sheridan Miller, NYS Governor’s Office

Vonetta Rhodes, Western New York Action Team

Yessenia Rosario, QUALITYstarsNY

We look forward to continuing these discussions throughout the 2024-2025 school year.

Sincerely,

Erik Sweet (New York State Education Department) and

Nora Yates (Office of Children and Family Services)

Holidays in the Early Education Classroom

As the holiday season approaches, mindful planning can help create an inclusive and balanced classroom environment for all students. Check out the resources below for ideas on how to respect diverse traditions and create a welcoming atmosphere for all learners.

Holidays in a Diverse World: Applying Anti-Bias Thinking to Curriculum - NAEYC

Holiday Celebrations - Penn State Extension

photos of students working on worksheets

Classroom Spotlight: Canajoharie CSD

When planning for the 2020-2021 school year, the Canajoharie Central School District's administrative team recognized the importance of having our youngest students attend school daily. The COVID-19 guidelines posed challenges, particularly with distancing and class size, which required creative solutions. With careful planning, the administrative team developed teams of five classrooms per grade, using staff and technology to establish a departmentalized schedule. Teachers and aides rotated through classrooms to deliver ELA, Math, Science/Social Studies, AIS, and i-Ready instruction. Even after restrictions were lifted, this structure continued for grades 1-5, with departmentalized instruction for core subjects like ELA, Math, and Social Studies/Science.

Since implementing this model, departmentalization has strengthened teacher planning, curriculum alignment, and team collaboration at each grade level. Teachers have established subject-focused classrooms, fostering a school-family environment where staff work collaboratively to support each student.

Grade-level teams work together on:

Classroom expectations
Data-driven instruction
Grade-level lessons aligned with Standards
Goal setting
Organization and teamwork
Portrait of a Graduate guiding principles
Incorporation of SEL lessons across classrooms

"This model has enhanced staff alignment, expectations, and curriculum consistency more than we could have anticipated. Student achievement has risen, attendance has improved, and discipline referrals have decreased. Students now experience a range of teaching styles, build stronger relationships with teachers, and move through their day with success. Our families benefit from a dedicated team of teachers supporting each learner." - Ms. Alicia D'Ambrosio, Principal, East Hill Elementary School

Screening and Assessment using Valid and Reliable Tools

School districts are required under Commissioner’s Regulations Part 117.3 to screen all new entrants using a valid and reliable screening tool prior to the school year, if possible, but no later than December 1st. In addition, according to Commissioner’s Regulations 151-1.3(b) districts must establish a process for the ongoing assessment of all children participating in a UPK program.

To help districts navigate the screening and progress monitoring process, the Office of Early Learning has created An Introduction to Valid and Reliable Screening and Assessment Tools in Prekindergarten. We hope you find this resource helpful as you navigate assessment for your youngest learners. Please don't hesitate to reach out the Office of Early Learning with any questions at OEL@nysed.gov.

Office of Early Learning

2024-2025 Webinar Series

The Office of Early Learning is pleased to announce a series of webinars designed to support and enhance our early education initiatives. These sessions will cover a range of topics, including science, inclusion, supporting Emergent Multilingual Learners (EMLs), and fostering positive behavior. We believe these webinars will provide valuable insight and resources to help you and your schools foster exceptional learning environments for our youngest learners.

Make sure to mark your calendars and register for the webinars below. See the flyer below and the Office of Early Learning website for more information.

Science Everywhere – November 6th, 2024 (3:00-4:00pm)

Fostering Positive Behavior in PreK – February 5th, 2025 (3:00-4:00pm)

Supporting EMLs in PreK – March 5th, 2025 (3:00-4:00pm)

Inclusion in PreK: Why it Matters – May 14th, 2025 (3:00-4:00pm)

2024-2025 Office of Early Learning Webinar Series flyer. Science Everywhere – November 6th, 2024 (3:00-4:00pm) Register here for the Science Everywhere webinar: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN__i1Frx-kTNOt2vfhbNST0Q?amp_device_id=291971fc-fc42-42c0-b6b3-24dfb0c7237c#/registration Fostering Positive Behavior in PreK – February 5th, 2025 (3:00-4:00pm) Register here for the Positive Behavior in PreK webinar: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_eUhTrvjiS5eEe6Xy3wF4bg#/registration Supporting EMLs in PreK – March 5th, 2025 (3:00-4:00pm) Register here for the Supporting EMLs in PreK webinar: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_K2-WUlkPR32m6vAokFVlLA#/registration Inclusion in PreK: Why it Matters – May 14th, 2025 (3:00-4:00pm) Register here for the Inclusion in PreK webinar: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_KbRTIf8jQm67FY-uUQaSww#/registration

VRNSK Corner Voluntary Registered Nursery Schools and Kindergartens

The following resources and reminders are for New York State's Voluntary Registered Nursery Schools and Kindergartens (VRNSK).

Voluntary Registered Nursery Schools and Kindergartens Website

VRNSK Program Overview

Commissioner's Regulations Part 125

Important Dates and Deadlines:

September 30: Renewal Applications due for Nursery Schools that have a registration expiring in June of that program year.

July 31: Annual Reports due for all registered Nursery Schools and Kindergartens.

New Registration Applications are accepted on a continuous basis.

On-site visits occur from October through May each year for schools that are applying to become registered or for registration renewals.

Any questions or inquiries can be sent directly to VRNSK@nysed.gov.

Questions?

The Office of Early Learning provides technical assistance to districts regarding Prekindergarten - Grade 3 instruction and best practices. Our office also answers questions regarding UPK funding and program implementation. You can contact us at oel@nysed.gov or (518) 474-5807.

Erik Sweet, Executive Director, Office of Early Learning

Lori Smart, Director

Tanya Amodio-Kovacs, Supervisor

Paulette Coppin, Supervisor

Grace Bombard, James Bordis, Samantha Chobot,

Lauren Cosamano, Carly Feldman,

Eric Feml-Nelsen, Jason Gish,

Tiffany Koo, Noelle Lake, Christine Lyons,

Terry Onofrio, Brandon Orszulak, Madison Ramnes,

Tina Rose-Turriglio, Christina Ryan,

Rachel Schlude, Michelle Sidoti,

Zak Snyder, Megan Tobiasen, Vicky Woods