The PSD Early Childhood Education Curriculum utilizes materials from Houghton Mifflin Pre-K Curriculum, the Wright Group, Creative Curriculum and teachers’ personal resources. The program is literacy based and is developmentally appropriate containing all of the elements of a balanced literacy program. The curriculum is aligned with Palmdale School District’s curriculum. Teachers read to students from a rich genre of literature up to seven times daily. Following large group instruction when stories are generally read, skills taught are reinforced during small group activities, mealtime, outdoor play and revisited throughout the days and weeks so that students have many opportunities tolearn.
DEVELOPMENTAL AND ACADEMIC SCREENINGS, IDPS, HOME VISITS, AND STUDENT PROGRESS REPORTS
Head Start Performance Standards provide a sound foundation for achieving positive child outcomes. Upon entry to the program, each child receives required screenings to confirm that he or she is in good health and is developing well. The Ages & Stages 3 (ASQ) Developmental Screening is administered to all students within 45 days of their entrance into the Palmdale School District Head Start program. The DRDP-R (Desired Results Development Plan Revised) is completed 3 times each year (beginning, middle and end). This is an ongoing observational tool. A Literacy Assessment is administered two times each year to determine each child’s letter recognition and letter sound knowledge. Head Start teachers are required to make two home visits per year to discuss the child’s progress and any concerns that may arise. At this time, parent and teacher work together to create an Individual Development Plan as a focus for areas that the teacher and parent wish to have the child develop. This may include, for example, social, cognitive or gross/fine motor skill development. Two student progress reports are provided each school year and two parent conferences are scheduled during the school year to review and discuss the child’s development. Please note the developmental and academic screening tools as well as classroom observations provide input for the progress reports and can be discussed during parent conferences and/or home visits.
Last Modified on December 12, 2012