Tips and Tools
Understanding and Using the CLASS for Program Improvement [PDF, 1.07MB]
This Classroom Assessment Scoring System (CLASS) brief is designed to help staff better understand and use the CLASS results in their programs and classrooms. The document addresses three main questions: What do the CLASS results mean; what are the different ways CLASS results can be used; and how should CLASS results be reported and shared?
Curriculum, Assessment and the Head Start Framework: An Alignment Review Tool [PDF, 452KB]
This tool is designed to help your program determine how well an early childhood assessment or curriculum aligns with the domains and domain elements identified in the Head Start Child Development and Early Learning Framework (HSCDELF, 2010).
A Guide to Resources for Developing School Readiness Goals [PDF, 584KB]
This guide provides programs with direct access to their state's early learning standards, as well as information on other resources. Programs may use this information to review alignments between state standards and their program's curriculum and assessment.
Choosing a Preschool Curriculum [PDF, 492KB]
The National Center on Quality Teaching and Learning has developed guidelines to help programs make informed decisions about choosing a preschool curriculum and assuring high-quality implementation of the curriculum in their program. These guidelines were designed for use by program decision-makers, T/TA providers, and supervisors and coaches.
Helpful Resources
Front Porch Series Broadcast Calls
Join NCQTL on May 21, 2012 for the next installment of the Front Porch Series, Teaching New Words: Embedding Vocabulary Instruction in Storybooks. Guest presenters will provide recommendations to guide practitioners in the selection of useful and teachable vocabulary targets, and will present a framework for the design of explicit instruction and provide suggestions for differentiating instruction for individual children. Sample lessons and activities will be included.
Join us for this engaging Broadcast Call.
Space is limited.
Reserve your Webinar seat now at: https://www3.gotomeeting.com
Did you miss past calls? View the recorded presentations.
School Readiness Goals for Preschool Children in Head Start Programs: Examples from the National Center on Quality Teaching and Learning [PDF, 149.30KB]. NOW AVAILABLE in Spanish! [PDF, 311.81 KB]
The National Center on Quality Teaching and Learning (NCQTL) offers examples of school readiness goals across the five essential areas of learning and development represented in the Head Start Child Development and Early Learning Framework (HSCDELF). Programs may find these examples useful as they establish their own goals.
Head Start Child Development and Early Learning Framework
The revised Framework guides all programs serving 3 to 5 year old children on key elements of school readiness. It should be used to connect assessment data to aspects of program design, including school readiness goals consistent with state and local expectations.
What can teachers do to foster a child's effortful control?
Did you know that classroom behavior management tools for positive engagement of children have been shown to promote effortful control. Check out these visuals on emotional regulation from the Head Start Center for Inclusion.
Events & Conferences
Contact Us
Send your questions and requests to ncqtl at uw dot edu, or call 1-877-731-0764 (toll free) from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (PT).
Last Reviewed: April 2012
Last Updated: May 24, 2012
