Cutler-Orosi Joint Unified School District is taking a multi-level approach to addressing the needs of their youngest English Learners. Their first goal is to serve more students, and they’ve achieved this by expanding their Transitional Kindergarten (TK) program to include more 4 year-olds. Secondly, they are working to engage parents through “Caregiver and Me” classes and the expansion of programs that build parent leadership in the district. Finally, data is collected and analyzed by Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) consisting of teachers and administrators. These PLCs look at multiple measures of progress to ensure students are ready for Kindergarten.
Their goals include:
- Expansion of TK to include more 4-year olds, thus creating more slots for 3-year olds in their Preschool program.
- Engaging parents and families through “Caregiver and Me” classes.
- Analyzing data through PLCs that look at multiple measures of progress to ensure Kindergarten readiness.
Snapshot of plans for year 2-3: Bilingual Outreach Aides will contact parents, inform them of classes and trainings, and encourage enrollment and attendance. Staff will work to identify and implement a new, robust, research-based home visiting program that aligns with the Tulare County Office of Education’s home-based model.
