Race to the Top - Early Learning Challenge: 2015 Annual Performance Report. California
Author: Department of Education (ED)
Date: 2016-06-00
Type: Reports - Descriptive
Subjects: Federal Legislation,Federal Aid,Educational Legislation,Federal Programs,Early Childhood Education,State Programs,Educational Quality,Program Evaluation,Program Effectiveness,Access to Education,Program Validation,Child Development,Academic Standards,Educational Assessment,Health Promotion,Family School Relationship,Preschool Children,Preschool Teachers,Teacher Competencies,Credentials,Teacher Characteristics,School Readiness,Outcome Measures,Tables (Data)

This Race to the Top - Early Learning Challenge (RTT-ELC) annual performance report for the year 2015 describes California's accomplishments, lessons learned, challenges, and strategies California will implement to address those challenges. California's RTT-ELC implements a unique approach that builds upon its local and statewide successes to create sustainable capacity at the local level and addresses the geographic and cultural diversity of California. Approximately 77 percent of the grant funding is being spent at the local level, via 17 original consortia and 14 mentee counties, to support the development and expansion of successful local Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS) efforts focused on improved outcomes for children with high needs. Expansion of QRIS in California took root in 2015 with the RTT-ELC grant serving as a foundation that resulted in the expansion of QRIS throughout the state. In 2015, the RTT-ELC QRIS efforts transitioned to a state-wide effort as a result of the release of the California State Preschool Program (CSPP) QRIS Block Grant and F5CA Improve and Maximize Programs so All Children Thrive (IMPACT) grant. During 2015, all 58 counties began participating in either one or both funding opportunities indicating program quality improvement is a major priority at the state and local level in preparing young children for lifelong success. Consortia report QRIS is now seen as the effective umbrella to connect all Quality Improvement (QI) efforts within the counties. During the fourth year of the grant, California moved forward with accomplishments in multiple areas while also encountering some lessons learned and challenges. The list of accomplishments in 2015 far outweighed the list of challenges expressed by consortia and reinforced the direction taken by California to build on local successes to create sustainable local capacity in order to address the geographic and cultural diversity of California. The top three accomplishments include: (1) Tiered Quality Rating and Improvement System (TQRIS) implementation and program participation; (2) stakeholders, partnerships, leveraging, and aligning QRIS efforts; and (3) communication strategies and community outreach. The valuable and powerful partnerships between the Team and the Consortia, as well as across local consortia and regions, continue to provide lessons learned. Flexibility and patience continued to be crucial in the fourth year of implementation. Inherent in any implementation of this scale are logistical challenges, including effective communication, gaining and sustaining buy-in and engagement, and working within the bounds of multiple agencies and stakeholders. [For &quot;Race to the Top - Early Learning Challenge Year 2015 Progress Update,&quot; see ED583454.]