Exemplary Practices in Early Childhood Education in Illinois: Evaluation Study and Case Studies, 1990-1991 and 1991-1992.

N

56

Case Studies; Day Care Centers; Early Childhood Education; Educational Assessment; Educational Quality; Family Involvement; Personnel; Personnel Evaluation; Preschool Evaluation; Program Descriptions; Program Effectiveness; Program Evaluation; Program Validation; State Surveys; Statewide Planning; Young Children

This report presents the results of a 2-year collaborative effort by the Illinois State Board of Education and 2 independent evaluators to assess early childhood programs in various sites throughout Illinois, and to provide models for other schools or community programs developing and expanding services for young children. The evaluation components consisted of expert reviews on five dimensions chosen to provide evidence that the programs under evaluation would be viable in other areas within the state: (1) program description, including philosophy and goals; (2) description of the practice, including services provided and costs; (3) personnel involvement, including duties and qualifications; (4) evidence of effectiveness, including measures and outcome data; and (5) transportability, including conditions needed for effective adaptation. The evaluation reports for all the finalist, semifinalist and honorably mentioned programs for the years 1990-91 and 1991-92 are presented. Nine programs were selected as finalists in 1990-91, seven as finalists in the 1991-92 search, and five as semi-finalists in the 1991-92 search. These finalists were selected on the basis of four practice areas: staffing patterns, service delivery, family involvement, and program design. In addition to these awards, honorable mention awards were given in the area of staffing patterns, program design, family involvement, and early childhood network. (AA)

1995

ED381241