Sobrato Early Academic Literacy Project A Preschool -Third grade pilot for Spanish-Speaking English Learners

The Context - The Challenge Demographics of our Time An enduring and increasing achievement gap Inadequate English development No Child Left Behind Importance of preschool education - an early start, a strong foundation Increasingly strong research-base on English Learner best practices, bilingual development - but separate PreK and K-12 “worlds”

The Sobrato Family Foundation Silicon Valley based Mission: “to help create and sustain a vibrant and healthy community where all Silicon Valley residents have equal opportunity to live, work and be enriched”

WHY SEAL? To invest in the children, families and institutions in the region To create a much-needed model of Preschool - Third grade powerful schooling for Latino English Learners To close the achievement gap To build high levels of literacy in two languages To develop confident, motivated, engaged learners

The SEAL “Pilot” big picture Define a research-based model Start with a few sites Build programs that support children from preschool through third grade (5 years) through customized and co-designed plans, data, resources and support Monitor/track progress through a strong evaluation that will contribute to the knowledge base Develop tools for replication  add sites

Defining the research- based model National advisors Drawing upon both the recent research on language and bilingual development in early childhood AND on language and bilingual development K-12 (a literature review)

Strong research base….. Linguistics (how a first and second language develops) Neuroscience/brain research Effective instruction Program evaluation

From the research: –High quality early childhood education reduces disparities in outcomes –There is a developmental continuum of language/literacy development in young children –The window of development (ages 2-6) is a unique opportunity for language –Two systems, two pedagogical traditions -- and challenges in the transition from one to the other (“School readiness”)

SEAL’s approach An age-appropriate, coherent and articulated preschool program that prepares children for academic success in elementary school and beyond, and that provides a seamless transition from preschool into the K-12 system

The SEAL Model: 6 components Academic language and literacy in English and Spanish Rich oral language development Text-rich environment and curriculum Language developed through enriched curriculum Affirming learning environment Teachers and Parents working together

Inter-related components - can’t have one without the other Not a “curriculum package” - can be implemented to support, enrich and strengthen core programs

#1: Academic Language and Literacy in English and Spanish At birth, all infants have the innate human capacity to learn more than one language Bilingual development is a common and normal childhood experience Internationally, it is estimated that there are as many children growing up learning TWO languages as one

Confront the myths….. Myth: learning two languages will confuse children Myth: With less exposure to each language, neither becomes developed fully - and they will not attain proficiency equal to monolingual children in either language Myth: Time spent in home language is wasted time for developing English Myth: More and earlier immersion in English is the best way to acquire English

The early childhood world …….. Affirming a child’s home language is key to healthy identity development and family connection Use and development of the child’s home language will benefit the child in acquiring English (CDE “Principles for Promoting Language, Literacy and Learning in Preschool English Learners” ) ……. but How?

The K-3 world…… Are we allowed to do primary language? Won’t this undermine the path towards proficiency in English?

#2Rich oral language development Four domains of language Oral language is foundation Spoken language and reading have much in common. Reading depends heavily on the reader’s oral language abilities - particularly with regards to understanding the means of words

#3: Text-rich environment and curriculum Active engagement with books and writing Meaningful interactions with a variety of print media Talking about books contributes to comprehension, vocabulary. Seeing “self” in books is crucial to literacy

#4 Language developed through enriched curriculum Language as a vehicle for learning and expression To close achievement gap requires access to full curriculum Equity issue Science and the arts are powerful subjects and opportunities for language development

#5 Affirming Learning Environment Affective filter and language learning The HIGHEST expectations A culture and climate of respect and inclusion Relationship between healthy socio- emotional development and sense of safety

NAEYC Position Statement on Language and Cultural Diversity “Recognize that all children are cognitively, linguistically and emotionally connected to the language and culture of their home and family.”

#6 Teachers and Parents work together Education for ELs is enhanced when schools and families partner around children’s education Parents can facilitate literacy development by using the language they know best and by using it in varied and extensive ways School need to address barriers to involvement Relationship between school and home is a crucial factor in healthy development of identity, and sense of belonging.

Selecting the Sites We elected sites with the basic capacity and commitment to be able to implement the model San Jose Unified School District: 1 Dual Language school, 1 early-exit bilingual program/SEI school, 3 feeder preschool sites (community based, plus state-funded preschools) Redwood City School District: 1 early exit bilingual/SEI school, 3 feeder preschools

The Sites From 72% to 97% Hispanic High “free and reduced lunch” population One school in PI Year Three

Working with the sites The SEAL pilot is about BUILDING towards the model No “one size fits all”, exact replication model or process SEAL Lead teams are helped to reflect on their practices, build on their strengths, identify and plan to address gaps

The SEAL process Worked closely with district to align work and support Set up an infrastructure of support (full-time facilitator/coach per site, resources as needed, access to powerful programs and professional development, collaboration time) Reflective practice - continuing throughout the life of the pilot Deep immersion in research, access to top research and researchers in the field, focused on data

Intentional program design and language management In Preschools - minimum of 50% Spanish, minimum of 25% English during teacher- directed and teacher-facilitated work Bilingual programs - 80:20 in K, to 50:50 in third All classrooms (bilingual and SEI) High quality language development and emphasis on transfer and contrastive analysis

Professional Development Silvia Duque Reyes, “Side by Side” - standards based planning for SLA/ELD/ELA Kathy Escamilla, “Literacy Squared” - approaches to simultaneous bilingual development GLAD and PreK GLAD California Reading and Literacy Project - Transfer and Houghton-Mifflin Explicit Direct Instruction

Programs/Activities Schmahl Science Workshops Bilingual Authors Families United for Literacy and Learning Summer Bridge programs (PreK-K, K-1) Early Childhood Language Development Institute (SMCOE)

National Hispanic University: a partnership and opportunity Preschool instructional assistants and teachers working towards A.A. or B.A. degree with an emphasis on early childhood biliteracy Scholarships and books Practicum hours done in SEAL classrooms/work sites Grant continuing education credits for the SEAL Forum Series

The Evaluation/Research Dr. Kathryn Lindholm-Leary Longitudinal design following cohorts of students from entering preschool through third grade Data points/analysis - PreK entry, K entry, First grade entry, end of third grade

Student Measures: Pre K Desired Results DRDP Revise (Spanish/English) Pre LAS (Spanish/English) Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test Kindergarten School Readiness Checklist

Student Measures: K  CELDT Social Rating Scale Self-Description Questionaire Lindholm-Leary Student Attitude Scale CST Aprenda - Reading

Classroom measures Preschool - ECERS-R and ECERS-E Classroom Assessment Scoring System (CLASS) - measures emotional and instructional climate Language Use in Classroom Staff quality and training

Family Context Adaptation from ECLS Longitudinal Student and Lindholm-Leary Parent Scales - focus on language and literacy practices Family involvement in school and child’s education

Between now and 2014…. Videos of classroom practices Reflection tools/observation tools notifications of new resources identified Research updates as data on cohort becomes available Information on replication forums Visits to the sites

If YOU know of powerful programs to visit or resources…. Please let me know!

Thank you! For more information, contact: Laurie Olsen