Expanded Learning Opportunities Quality Initiative. Report to the Legislature
Author: Washington State Department of Early Learning (DEL)
Date: 2017-09-30
Type: Reports - Evaluative
Subjects: Educational Opportunities,Educational Quality,Educational Assessment,Educational Improvement,Coaching (Performance),Learner Engagement,Educational Benefits,Barriers,Training,Educational Finance,State Aid,Private Financial Support,Capacity Building,Fidelity,Standards,Program Evaluation,Program Implementation

Washington is building a comprehensive learning system that emphasizes quality from birth to 18 years. With $1 million in funding from the Early Start Act, and matching funds from the Raikes Foundation, the Department of Early Learning (DEL) and the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) have completed an Expanded Learning Opportunities Quality Initiative (&quot;initiative&quot;), piloting a high-quality, equitable system that supports providers of Expanded Learning Opportunities (ELO) with the training and resources needed to provide high-quality programs for youth after school and in the summer. Fifty programs from four counties (King, Pierce, Spokane, and Walla Walla) participated in a quality assessment and improvement process, including licensed family homes and child care centers (who serve school-age children and families) already rated in Early Achievers; federally funded 21st Century Community Learning Centers; and both licensed and unlicensed ELO programs serving youth between the ages of 5-18 years. Key findings include: (1) Programs initially assessed as lower than average improved after training and coaching; (2) Coaching with fidelity to the model was linked with improved program quality; (3) Higher levels of student engagement and fewer challenging behaviors were seen as program quality improved; (4) Program staff and directors found coaching and data helpful and desired more frequent observations and feedback; and (5) Programs experienced several systemic barriers to improving quality including unstable staffing, limited time for training and limited funding to support staff. The Washington State Legislature appropriated $750,000 in the 2018 budget to continue the initiative an additional year. This state funding will continue to be matched with private funding from the Raikes Foundation. Priorities include: (1) Continue to support original participants: current participants will be given top priority for continuing their quality improvement work, and it's expected that some new program participants in King, Pierce, Spokane and/or Walla Walla counties will be added; (2) Create a pipeline for quality improvement: with various sizes, types, and existing levels of capacity and quality, supports need to be created that foster quality improvements for all types of programs; and (3) Focus on coaching: coaching is critical to improving program quality and it's important coaches are well trained, have enough time with programs, and can coach to fidelity standards. Results and lessons learned, based on the evaluation, implementation, community feedback, and youth feedback are presented. Key priorities for next steps conclude the report.