Learn & Grow Framework

QUALITY ACTIVITY A: Program uses program assessment tool(s) and classroom data to develop a continuous quality improvement plan (CQIP).

Alaska SEED Level

QUALITY ACTIVITY B: All* early childhood (EC) educators who work directly with children or supervise individuals who work with children are in the Alaska System for Early Education Development (SEED) Registry.

Training

QUALITY ACTIVITY C: 50%* of all teaching staff, including administrators, complete Learn & Grow 101 Training.

NOTE: Teachers new to program within 2 months of submitting for Level 1 verification are exempt and not included in percentage calculation. Staff exemptions cannot apply to more than 50% of all teaching staff. Teaching staff includes staff who work more than 400 hours each year directly with children or supervising staff who work directly with children.

Program

QUALITY ACTIVITY A: Program has a written philosophy statement.
QUALITY ACTIVITY B (Center Only): Program establishes a Leadership Team.

Administrator

QUALITY ACTIVITY C (Center Only): Center program administrator completes the Alaska Early Childhood Administrator Credential (or equivalent based on personnel of program).

See Level 2 training

Alaska SEED Level

QUALITY ACTIVITY D:

• Center Administrator is in an Alaska SEED Level 7.
• Home and Group Home Administrator is an Alaska SEED Level 5.

Training

QUALITY ACTIVITY E: 100%* of teaching staff have completed Learn & Grow 101 Training, and 40%* of teaching staff, including designated administrator, have completed:

• Introduction to Alaska Early Childhood Core Knowledge & Competencies
• Introduction to Alaska Early Learning Guidelines
• Introduction to the Pyramid Model
• Introduction to Strengthening Families

*NOTE: Teachers new to program within 6 months of submitting for Level 2 verification are exempt and not included in percentage calculation. Staff exemptions cannot apply to more than 50% of all teaching staff. Teaching staff includes staff who work more than 400 hours each year directly with children or supervising staff who work directly with children.

Learning Environment/Interactions

QUALITY ACTIVITY F: Each classroom completes a pre-assessment at least annually with a Relationship Based Professional Development (RBPD) specialist and develops a Classroom Action Plan (CAP).

NOTE: Level 2 CAP completed near submission of Level 2 verification. Level 3-5 CAP developed at beginning of program working on each level and reviewed and adapted at least quarterly.

*Relationship Based Professional Development is a term several states use to categorize a growing group of cross disciplinary professionals to support early childhood educators, programs, and children. RBPD professionals require specific skills, knowledge, and training above and beyond early childhood education or special education degrees, or content training. Several titles fall under the category of RBPD, including: Consultant, Mentor, Coach, Reflective Supervisor, Infant or Early Childhood Mental Health Consultant, Behavior Consultation, Technical Assistance Provider, or Professional Development Specialist.

See Level 2 training requirements: Strengthening Families.

Program

QUALITY ACTIVITY A: The program’s philosophy statement is shared with families and all staff.
QUALITY ACTIVITY B: The program develops policies and/or procedures that address use of developmental screening, child assessment, curriculum, inclusionary practices, and expulsion/suspension reduction practices.
QUALITY ACTIVITY C (Center Only): The program completes an annual early childhood (EC) educator feedback survey.

Administrator

QUALITY ACTIVITY D (Homes/Group Homes Only): Home & Group Home Administrators complete the Alaska Family Child Care Early Childhood Administrator Credential.
QUALITY ACTIVITY E: Dedicate time annually to develop and review professional development plans with each EC educator.

Alaska SEED Level

QUALITY ACTIVITY F:

• A child care center, school district, Early Head Start or Head Start Administrator is an Alaska SEED Level 8.
• Home and Group Home Administrator is an Alaska SEED Level 6.
• 40%* of teaching staff (including any additional administrators) are an Alaska SEED Level 6.
• Remaining teaching staff are an Alaska SEED Level 2

Training

QUALITY ACTIVITY G: All* teaching staff have completed Level 2 trainings, and 40%* of teaching staff, including designated administrator, have completed:

Introduction to:

• Curriculum
• Observation/assessment
• Inclusion practices
• Cultural responsive practices
• Implicit bias & equity practices
• Coaching
• Reduction of exclusionary practices

*NOTE: Teachers new to program within 12 months of submitting for Level 3 verification are exempt and not included in percentage calculation. Staff exemptions cannot apply to more than 50% of all teaching staff. Teaching staff includes staff who work more than 400 hours each year directly with children or supervising staff who work directly with children.

QUALITY ACTIVITY H: Designated staff have completed training on:

• Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ)
• Pyramid Implementation Data System (PIDS)

Learning Environment/Interactions

QUALITY ACTIVITY I: TPOTS/TPITOS average score of 60% across all key practices and no red flags in assessed classrooms. —OR— CLASS score of 3.0 in 2 of 3 subdomains in assessed classrooms.

Inclusionary Practices

QUALITY ACTIVITY J: Program provides families with access to the ASQ Screening tool within 45 days of enrollment and as needed. (See Learn & Grow portfolio for referral guidance)
QUALITY ACTIVITY K: Program uses Pyramid Implementation Data System (PIDS) to record behavior incident reports and expulsion/suspensions.

Curriculum & Assessment

QUALITY ACTIVITY L: Program has completed a curriculum review and selection process and created a plan for implementation of selected curriculum.
QUALITY ACTIVITY M: Program has created a plan for implementation of Teaching Strategies Gold (TSG).

QUALITY ACTIVITY N: At enrollment, program provides families with opportunities to tell the program about their family and their children (ethnicity, culture, language, abilities, preferences, etc.).
QUALITY ACTIVITY O: Program conducts an annual family survey.
QUALITY STANDARD P (Center Only): In partnership with families, a program develops a transition plan for child any time they move to a different classroom.
QUALITY ACTIVITY Q: Program provides community resources or makes referrals to address family needs.

Program

QUALITY ACTIVITY A: Program has policies and procedures in place for how they will support Multiple Language Learners, family engagement practices, and teacher supports.

Alaska SEED Level

QUALITY ACTIVITY B: 

• A child care center, school district, or Early Head Start or Head Start Administrator is an Alaska SEED Level 9.
• Home and Group Home Administrator is an Alaska SEED level 7.
• 40%* of teaching staff (including any additional administrators) are an Alaska SEED Level 7.
• Remaining teaching staff are an Alaska SEED Level 3.
  

Training

QUALITY ACTIVITY C: All* teaching staff have completed Level 2 and 3 trainings, and 40%* of teaching staff, including designated administrator, have completed:

• Overview of ACES.
• Early childhood trauma informed care or related training (ACES could be part of).
• Training on specific curriculum used by program.
• ASQ 3 or 4
• Complete Teaching Strategies Gold inter-rater reliability training (TSG training needed if individual does not pass IRR).

*NOTE: Teachers new to program within 12 months of submitting for Level 4 verification are exempt and not included in percentage calculation. Staff exemptions cannot apply to more than 50% of all teaching staff. Teaching staff includes staff who work more than 400 hours each year directly with children or supervising staff who work directly with children.

Learning Environment/Interactions

QUALITY ACTIVITY D: TPOTS/ TPITOS average score of 70% across all key practices and no red flags in assessed classrooms. —OR— CLASS score of 4.0 in 2 of 3 subdomains in assessed classrooms.

Inclusionary Practices

QUALITY ACTIVITY E: Each classroom has at least one teaching staff who communicates screening results with families.

Note: Must complete training on communicating results with families.

QUALITY ACTIVITY F: Program has identified local resource agencies and/or Infant/Early Childhood Mental Health Consultant to support early childhood professionals and families to develop a plan to meet the individual needs of all children but particularly children with identified special needs (social emotional, cognitive, physical, etc.).

Curriculum & Assessment

QUALITY ACTIVITY G: Program uses a developmentally appropriate evidence-based early childhood curricula, including additional curricular enhancements, as appropriate, that: 1) are based on evidence and standardized training, 2) align with all five domains of the Alaska Early Learning Guidelines, and 3) have developmental scope and sequence.
QUALITY ACTIVITY H: Early childhood educators complete a full child assessment twice a year to monitor all children’s progress towards meeting developmental outcomes.
QUALITY ACTIVITY I: Program shares child assessment results with families at least one time a year at a family-teacher conference.

QUALITY ACTIVITY J: Families are invited at least two times a year to provide information and/or participate in the development of program activities to provide opportunities for the family’s culture to be infused in the program.
QUALITY ACTIVITY K: In partnership with families, a program develops a transition plan for a child any time they move to a different program or school; including preparing 4-year-old children and their families for the transition to kindergarten.

QUALITY STANDARD A: Program has direct access to an infant/early childhood mental health consultant for teachers and families (contract or staff position).
QUALITY ACTIVITY B: Program has direct access to an Alaska certified Relationship Based Professional Development (RPBD) III A Specialist to support classroom coaching (contract or staff position).

Alaska SEED Level

QUALITY ACTIVITY C: 

• A child care center, school district, Early Head Start or Head Start Administrator is an Alaska SEED Level 10.
• Home and Group Home Administrator is an Alaska SEED level 9.
• 40%* of teaching staff (including any additional administrators) are an Alaska SEED Level 9.
• Remaining teaching staff an Alaska SEED Level 4.

NOTE: Pre-elementary teachers and administrators must meet the requirements for teacher certification and must include a minimum of 6 early childhood education credits.

Training

QUALITY ACTIVITY D: All* teaching staff have completed Level 1-4 trainings.

*NOTE: Teachers new to program within 12 months of submitting for Level 5 verification are exempt and not included in percentage calculation. Staff exemptions cannot apply to more than 50% of all teaching staff. Teaching staff includes staff who work more than 400 hours each year directly with children or supervising staff who work directly with children.

Learning Environment/Interactions

QUALITY ACTIVITY E: TPOTS/ TPITOS average score of 80% across all key practices and no red flags in assessed classrooms. —OR— CLASS score of 5.0 in 2 of 3 subdomains in assessed classrooms.

Curriculum & Assessment

QUALITY ACTIVITY F: Early Childhood Educators complete a full child assessment 3 times a year to monitor all children’s progress towards meeting developmental outcomes.
QUALITY ACTIVITY G: Program shares child assessment results with families at least two times a year at a family-teacher conference.