Description
Book SynopsisChildren at the Center provides a closely observed account of a decade-long effort to reshape the scope, direction, and quality of the Boston Public Schools' early childhood programs. Drawing on multiple perspectives and voices from the field, the authors highlight the reflective, collaborative, inquiry-driven approach undertaken by the program and share lessons learned.
Boston Public Schools are recognized for embedding high-quality, public preK programs in their system and achieving exceptional results. In this book, the authors outline the core principles that underlie the district's early childhood programs and explore the role of curriculum, professional development, coaching, and data use in supporting these new initiatives. They show how the Boston Public Schools Department of Early Childhood was able to work with and against the constraints of the current accountability system to create a holistic, child-centered, play-based program that has had a significant impact in narrowing income-based learning gaps.
Written in collaboration with the Department of Early Childhood Education, this account of creating successful preK programs in a diverse urban district will provide a valuable resource for practitioners engaged in similar work across the country.
Table of ContentsChapter One Children at the Center
Chapter Two The Colorful CafÉ: A Visit to a K0/K1 Inclusion Classroom
with Melissa Rivard and Jodi Doyle KrousChapter Three Building the BPS Early Childhood Program
Chapter Four Pathways to Excellence
Chapter Five A House for a Dragon: A Visit with a K1 Child
with David Ramsey and Abby MoralesChapter Six Redoubled Efforts and New Directions
Chapter Seven Tamara’s Day: A Visit to a K2 Classroom
Chapter Eight A New Model of Professional Development
Chapter Nine The DEC at Work
Chapter Ten Reaching In, Out, and Up
Epilogue A Park Where Parents Play with Their Kids: A Visit to City Hall
Appendix The Role of Data, Research, and Evaluation in the Process of Change
by Christina Weiland and Jason Sachs Notes
Acknowledgments
About the Authors, Contributors, and Collaborators
Index
