1. Policies, Practices, and Leadership to Create Aligned and Integrated P-12 Learning Systems in Two States and Ontario A project funded by the McCormick Foundation Erika Hunt and Lisa Hood Center for the Study of Education Policy Illinois State University

2. Leadership to Integrate the Learning Continuum (LINC)  Supporting leaders in early childhood and K-12 to develop and nurture a seamless learning continuum centered on children's learning and development  Website: www.leadershiplinc.ilstu.edu

3. Research Questions 1. What is the context and nature of the linkages and partnerships between early learning providers and (P)K-12 schools involved in the collaboration? What are the promising alignment and coordination practices currently implemented? 2. What are the most current issues and barriers to creating a seamless learning continuum? 3. What actions do practitioners recommend that would facilitate their efforts to develop and sustain a P-12 learning continuum? What federal, state, and local policies would eliminate current barriers to an effective P-12 continuum?

4. Research Design  Case study of 3 state/provincial systems of P-12 programs – Hawaii, Pennsylvania, and Ontario  Interviews with staff at state/provincial departments of education  Educators in local P-12 programs  Observations  Walkthroughs in classrooms  Document review  Policy, practice, an d research documents related to P-12 programs

5. Hawaii  Sample:  State coordinator, State Department of Education staff, private funder, university faculty, early learning policy organization  2 P-3 sites: Wai’anae Ferrington Complex  Policies and Practices  Culturally based programs  Comprehensive services for birth to age 5  P-3 joint professional development and planning meetings  Data sharing between early learning programs and kindergarten teachers  P-3 advanced certification program for teachers

6. Pennsylvania  Sample:  State department of education staff, local school practitioners, university faculty, community partners  1 P-3 site: Pottstown School District PEAK program  Policies and Practices  Integrated state system between early learning and welfare Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL)  Working on P-20 aligned data system  Aligned standards, curriculum, and assessments  Comprehensive birth to age 5 supports

8. Ontario, Canada  Sample:  Provincial Ministry of Education staff, university researchers, municipal leaders  2 P-12 sites: PEEL school board Halton Region (Our Kids)  Policies and Practices  Integrated Services Concept Comprehensive services prenatal to age 18 (e.g., neighborhood hubs, early years centres)  Integrated Systems Concept Integration of early learning office into Ministry of Education Full-day Kindergarten co-taught by EC and K teacher Folding all models of early childhood into domain of school boards

9. Halton Region, Ontario  Longevity  Governance Structure  Report Card Based on Developmental Assets  Results Based Accountability  Effective Implementation of Province-wide Initiatives

10. Promising Alignment and Coordination Practices  Comprehensive early learning services for birth to age 5  Partnerships with families  Cross-sector collaboration for alignment and data-sharing  Joint professional development  Workforce development  Systems Integration

11. Issues and Strategies to Creating a Seamless Learning Continuum  Different approaches, philosophies, and beliefs  Planning and readiness work  Push up/push down approach  Joint accountability and ownership  Training for principals and teachers to work across sectors  Full day kindergarten taught by early learning and elementary teachers  PreK-3 graduate certificate

12. Issues and Strategies to Creating a Seamless Learning Continuum Cont’d…  Funding  Private funders  Integrated services  Governance  Ontario and Halton Our Kids  Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL)

13. Actions to Facilitate and Sustain a P-12 Learning Continuum  Role of leadership  Tie between state/province and local interplay  Systems integration to coordinate standards, data, funding, and accountability  Most notable in Ontario

14. Contact Information For more information about the results of this study, contact: Erika Hunt elhunt@ilstu.edu Lisa Hood lhood@ilstu.edu