Date: 09/02/2014
Final
Public Comment
EARLY CHILDHOOD AND SCHOOL READINESS LEGISLATIVE COMMISSION
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02:10 PM -- Public Comment
Representative Pettersen opened up the floor for additional public comment. Ms. Charlotte Brantley, Clayton Early Learning, discussed teacher evaluations. She talked about how they evaluate early learning teachers and their findings. Ms. Brantley described the qualifications of teachers in their organization in terms of education and teachers' ability to use child outcome data. She also commented on professional development and evaluation for principals. She discussed accountability and further professionalization of the field.
Councilwoman Sarah Levison, City of Longmont, described her work with the National League of Cities in the area of early childhood. She stated that everyone agrees that there is need for professional development, but that there are many questions about how to do this. She mentioned the lack of substitute teachers as one example of difficulty in professional development. She discussed choice in child care and the ability to afford child care if working a low-paying job.
Mr. Bill Jaeger, Colorado Children's Campaign, thanked the commission for its time and attention to early childhood issues. He discussed early childhood evaluation and how to measure student growth in early childhood. He stated that this is a difficult and important conversation. He provided information and statistics on the current status of early childhood education. Senator Todd asked about student growth and the tools available to measure growth. Mr. Jaeger responded that the Colorado growth model does not apply but that there are conversations ongoing about developmentally appropriate milestones versus academic achievement for early childhood.
Ms. Gloria Higgins, Executives Partnering to Invest in Children (EPIC), and a founding board member of the Denver Preschool Program, began her testimony. She talked about measurement and evaluation for the Denver Preschool Program and how they linked quality with the amount of credit available to parents.
Ms. Brantley returned to the table and stated that there is a difference between evaluating programs and individual teachers. She discussed the gains made through the investment of Denver sales tax dollars, but that the evaluation data does not show results for individual teachers. She stated that assessment is expensive and has to be a one-on-one evaluation, unlike standardized testing for older children. Representative McCann asked about the applicability of Senate Bill 10- 191, which concerns quality instruction through educator effectiveness, to Clayton Early Learning. Ms. Brantley stated that they are not required to be licensed and not covered under SB 10-191. Representative McCann then asked about their internal teacher evaluation process and discussion ensued on this topic.
Ms. Jildi Gentry, Morgan County Early Childhood Council, came to the table and discussed SB 10-191 and her experience as a child care center director. She elaborated on teacher and supervisor qualifications and discussed the expectations on teachers. She then talked about suspensions and expulsions in early learning and the connection with the foster care system. She then discussed kindergarten transition and integrating the preschool and kindergarten workforce.
02:45 PM
Representative Pettersen thanked the participants in the working groups and discussed the next meeting on September 22nd. The commission adjourned.