Alignment of Inclusive Pre-School
Learning Environments and Quality
Rating Improvement System
391 Grant Funding
Board Presentation
May 8, 2012
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Purpose of Funding
Inclusive Preschool Learning
Environments funds are state funds
(formerly known as Chapter
188/Phase I of CPC) designed to
support inclusive preschool learning
environments for preschool children
with disabilities. All applicants must
meet the standards/definition of
Inclusive Preschool Learning
Environments set forth below.
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Inclusive Preschool Learning Environments
(Fund Code 391)
In FY12 95 grantees received $9M in IE state funds to support direct
service activities.
Renewal grants totally $9,019,276 are available to 97 public schools
districts and lead agencies to support opportunities for preschoolers
with disabilities in inclusive settings with children without disabilities.
Funds support direct services and are typically used for educator
salaries and children's transportation.
Of the 97 grants issued, public school district received 67 of these
grants. Currently 49 public schools programs participate in QRIS, 15
public school programs are currently receiving 391 funding.
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Children supported and QRIS participation
FY 11 Funding Supported 6002 children,
2209 with disabilities.
 FY 11 15 programs self-reported they were
engaged in QRIS.

FY12 Funding Supported 5512 children,
3323 with disabilities.
 FY12 15 programs have QRIS applications
submitted to final. 9 of these are public
school programs.
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Pre-K to 3 Alignment
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
All programs must demonstrate pre-kindergarten to third
grade alignment with the school district in which they are
located.*
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In 2011 Professor Kristie Kauerz conducted a presentation
that outlined the components of what pre-kindergarten to
third grade alignment looks like: (1) instructional tools and
practices; (2) data and assessment; (3) instructional
environment (school and classroom); (4) engaged families;
(5) administrators and leadership quality; (6) transitions and
pathways; (7) teacher quality and capacity; and (8)
mechanisms for cross-sector alignment.
Kauerz, Kristie (2011). Sustaining Your Work: PreK-3rd
Implementation and Evaluation Framework; a presentation
to ESE PK-3 grantees. Harvard University: Cambridge, MA.
Quality Rating and Improvement System
Group and Center Based Standards
For use by center-based and school-based programs, including
non-licensable and license-exempt center-based programs (i.e.
public school preschools, Montessori schools, or faith-based
affiliated programs serving infants, toddlers, preschool-age
children).
 Standard 1: Curriculum and Learning
 Standard 2: Safe, Healthy Indoor and Outdoor
Environments
 Standard 3: Workforce Qualifications and Professional
Development
 Standard 4: family and Community Engagement
 Standard 5: Leadership, Management and
Administration
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Supports Currently Provided
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
Educators demonstrate completion of professional development in
curriculum, screening tools and formative assessment – Readiness
Centers will provide ongoing support starting in 2013

Environment Rating Scales – Verification of Scale provided by EEC

CLASS Training currently offered through CASE Institute

Regional Community of Practice Meetings offered three times
annually

Special Education Professional Development Opportunities

Pre-school teachers may have BAs
Discussion Points
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Inclusive Pre-school Programs may be housed in school buildings
not specifically designed for an Early Education and Care setting
Inclusive Pre-School Programs operate on a school year schedule
and completing the self-assessment process for level 2
Educators are required to be in the Professional Qualifications
Registry (PQR) to participate in the QRIS
Historically this funding has been gone to the same grantees as a
renewal grant
Connections between schools system and their communities
Professional Development requirements as defined by licensing
Consider adding ESE licensing to meet professional development
standards for public school teachers
Clarification regarding what is consider license exempt, do school
programs need approval?
Consider mapping ESE Program Quality Assurance Reviews to QRIS
Standards.
FY13 391 Entitlement Grant Proposal
Inclusive Classrooms
Condition of Funding
Grant period July 1, 2012 – June 30, 2013
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As part of FY13 391 grant funding eligibility,
programs will participating in QRIS.

Grant funded programs should be participating in
QRIS at a level 2 by June 30, 2013.