1. Kenmore – Tonawanda Universal Pre-Kindergarten (UPK)
“Setting a foundation for success one building block at a time.”

2. UPK CBO Teachers and Locations
Mary Ennis Edison
Sherrie Green Hamilton
Kristin Duggan Hamilton
Tracy Caruana Holmes
Melissa Kirisits Holmes
Katie Kuhrt Franklin
Jessica Miller Franklin
Jessica Clark Roosevelt
Dana Metz Jefferson

3. UPK Program Highlights
Purpose
To promote high quality, developmentally appropriate programs for four-year-olds in KTT
Grant Funded Program
First year of implementation
September 2001
Expanded from 7 – 9 classes

4. Current Enrollment ’12-’13
We currently have 287 students in program
This is a 1% decrease in student enrollment from year-to-year
29 students are classified with an IEP
This is a 1% increase in classified students from year-to-year

5. UPK Program Highlights
Operates 2.5 hours per day, five days a week, for 180 days a year
Transportation is not provided
One teacher and one aide in each classroom
Class size will not exceed 18 students
Students must be four-years of age on or before December 1st in the year of enrollment
All selected students must be required to meet NYS health and immunization requirements and screened as new entrants

6. UPK Program Highlights
Thematic Curriculum aligned to CCLS that highlights:
Social-Emotional Development
Cognitive Development
Language/Speech Development
Fine/Gross Motor Skill Development
Self-Help Skills
Play

7. UPK Program Highlights
State Reporting: Final Report
Finances
Enrollment Figures
Screening Results
Progress Monitoring Results
Outcomes
Tools Utilized

8. UPK Team Requirements
All teachers are certified in early childhood education
All teachers attend District planned professional development
All teachers participate in LASW sessions

9. UPK Assessment DIAL Screening
Behavioral Checklist aligned with Characteristics of a Successful Learner on our Progress Report
Fox in the Box Letters and Numbers as a benchmark assessment/progress monitoring tool
Progress Report in January and June as a progress monitoring tool

10. UPK ELA Assessment Results 11’-12’
Tool: FOX Letters and Numbers
Scoring: Achieved, In Progress, Not Achieved
Sub-tests: Oral Language, Phonological Awareness, Alphabet Knowledge, Print Awareness
Overall Language and Literacy Performance
41% increase from pre to post assessment at the achieved level

11. UPK Math Assessment Results 11’-12’
Tool: FOX Letters and Numbers
Scoring: Achieved, In Progress, Not Achieved
Sub-tests: Numbers and Operations, Geometry, Measurement, Algebra, Data Analysis and Problem Solving
Overall Mathematical Performance
46% increase from pre to post assessment at the achieved level

12. UPK Assessment Results 11’-12’
Social Skills Tool: Behavioral Checklist that is aligned with the Characteristics of a Successful Learner on the Progress Report
14 Characteristics
Scoring: Beginning, Developing, Secure
Results: On average, a 48% increase scoring “Secure” from pre to post administration

13. Application Process
Section 3602-e of Education Law requires that school districts must establish a process to select eligible children to receive UPK services on a random basis when there are more eligible children than can be served in a given school year.
Applications for eligible children will be selected by lottery, if there are more applicants than program spots.
Applicants not initially accepted into the program will be placed on a waiting list. Special requests may also be placed on a waiting list.

14. Application Process Timeline January 2013: Registration
Date set by Central Registration
March 2013: Program Acceptance Letters
Notification that they have secured a spot
June 2013: Placement Letters
Building, teacher, times, and orientation dates
Moved up from August
Personnel, State allocation, Final building placement
Personnel Issues, State Funding, Classroom Placement

15. What has changed for UPK?
Teachers
Collaboration and my role
Estimated savings of $135,000 for ’12-’13
Questions?