CONNECTICUT STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

BUREAU OF EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION

Laboratory School and Model Early Childhood Learning Grant

2008-20092009-20102010-20112011-20122012-2013

Background and Purpose

pursuant to Connecticut General Statutes Sec. 10-265j;

establish two pilot early childhood learning programs.

each program may include a laboratory school and model day care program; and

serve a minimum of 60 children, ages 3 to 5 years.

Vision

o To establish model child care and education programs that provide practical, site-based demonstrations of high quality preschool and child care programming.

To provide access to early childhood practitioners, who provide professional development and training to childcare and education teaching and support staff.

Oversight

A lab is supported by the higher education institution who must:

- administer the grant;

- translate principles of school

readiness program model to

professional development partners;

showcase high quality comprehensive preschool and child care practices for 3 -, 4 - and 5-year-olds; and

support environment that promotes the overall development of children.

Requirements:

The higher education institution must: take fiscal, administrative and programmatic

responsibility for the grant; have an academic program in early childhood

education; delegate an experienced early childhood

faculty member as grant manager; provide professional and technical support in

the development and ongoing operations of the laboratory school;

disseminate knowledge about effective and innovative preschool and child care theories;

translate the principles of developmentally appropriate practice to a broad community of practitioners;

collaborate with early childhood education professional development partners:

-(CCAC); -Higher Education Institutions; -S E R C, Head Start, Early Head Start, Even Start, DSS, DCF, Non- profits; -RESCs and others.

Requirements from Lab School:

Model School:contract with higher education institution; be licensed; be accredited by NAEYC the

NEASC, or the CT Commission on Independent Schools accredited;

a head start or school readiness program or otherwise state approved;

serve 60 children aged 3 -, 4 - and 5-years old on the higher education site or on another site;

have a written collaborative agreement with the higher education institution;

serve a diverse population: economic, racial, ethnic;

partner with the LEA to serve children with disabilities and adhere to standards of the Americans with Disabilities Act; and

promote State Department of Education policies related to early childhood education;

Expectations

show-case practices that support the overall well-being of children;

provide comprehensive early childhood services and a range of services to families; and

participate in training and research.

Proposal

A program plan for operating as a laboratory school:

- specify activities related to the planning, development & implementation phases of the program;

- address administrative structure of the project;

- delineate roles and responsibilities of each higher education faculty; and

- identify and describe roles of administrators, child care and education staff.

Note: The applicant must provide resumes of key people involved in the project from the higher education institution and the child care and education facility.

The Plan Must Specify:

• how the laboratory school will reach out and inform ECE communities about the activities and services available;

• the manner and extent to which training and other activities will be coordinated with professional development partners;

how the laboratory school will advance the knowledge and skills of

practitioners, parents, and the

community; and

about effective, result-oriented early

childhood practices.

Program evaluation

describe your program evaluation plan for Years 1 and 2;

address the effectiveness of the program for children and the benefits to families and communities;

identify indicators of success; and provide evidence.

Funds Available

Pending the availability of funds $100,000 will be available for each program for each year 2008-2013.

Note: The SDE holds the right to determine continuation of funding after the second year based on program performance.

Application Requirements

Abstract (maximum 1 page double spaced);

Proposal Narrative (maximum 15 pages double spaced);

Budget Form (as presented in the RFP); Budget Justification; Signed Statement of Assurances; and Signed Affirmative Action Packet.

Format

THE APPLICATION, EXCLUSIVE OF:

-Affirmative Action Packet;

-Statement of Assurances;

-Cover page; and

-Form ED 114.

NOTE: MAY NOT EXCEED 15 PAGES

DOUBLE SPACED.

Content

Cover Page

must be signed by authorized signatories;

- the higher education institution;

- the agency (agencies) that represents

the child care and education program;

Must indicate the number of children that will be served;

- ages of children;

- key features: planning, development and activities; and

- evaluation of project.

Community

district/municipality of laboratory school; and

the higher education institution that will administer the grant.

Proposal Narrative

maximum of 15 pages double spaced; detailed description of plans for continuing

the project for Years 1 and 2; describe the program’s:

-social and economic environment;

-goals and objectives;

-design and activities; and

-evaluation

Five-Year Goals and Objectives

state goals and objectives for Year 1 to Year 5;

expected outcomes for the five years; proposed timeline of what will be

accomplished in Years 1 to 5 of the project; design and activities for five years; and address the program components outlined

on pages 2 to 4 of the RFP.

Evaluation Report

review goals and objectives;

describe the degree to which goals and objectives have been achieved; and

the extent to which outcomes achieved are directly linked to the grant.

Budget

ED 114 Indicate how grant funds will be

expended for Year 1, July 1, 2008 – June 30, 2009.

Note: No carryover funds will be allowed. Year 1 budget ends June 30, 2009.

Other Requirements

bi-annual project evaluations reports by Dec. 31, & July 31 of the grant fiscal year; and

evidence of the impact of grant activities on the quality of early childhood care and education in the community.

Submission Information

Submit one original and two copies of the grant application by 4:30 p.m. on Friday June 20, 2008.

Dr. Yemi Onibokun, ConsultantState Department of EducationBureau of Curriculum and Instruction 165 Capitol Avenue, Room 215Hartford, CT 06106-1659Telephone: 860-713-6787

The deadline will not be extended.

Faxed copies are unacceptable.

Phone applications will not be accepted.