The Whitley County Preschool/Head Start Early Reading First Program is a unique
program with a variety of attributes. Our blended preschool/Head Start program has been funded
through the Whitley County Board of Education and the Bell/Whitley Community Action
Agency since 1992. In September 2004, the Whitley County School District was one of only
two school systems in Kentucky and thirty-two in the nation to receive an Early Reading First
grant. This additional funding has allowed our quality preschool centers to evolve into Preschool
Centers of Educational Excellence.
Attributes of the program include:
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All day, five days per week, year-round preschool services, which are available to
all 4-year-old children and 3-year olds who have a disability
Research-based curriculum, aligned with Head Start Standards and Kentucky
Department of Education Early Childhood Standards
Literacy coaches in preschool centers
One to seven adult/student ration per classroom (in most centers this ratio is one
to six)
Family Literacy Services
Multiple assessments which drive curriculum in literacy rich classrooms
This literacy-rich curriculum is specifically designed to improve the academic
achievement of students. The curriculum includes Building Language for Literacy, Creative
Curriculum, and Core Knowledge Preschool Sequence. Building Language for Literacy is
designed to develop: Oral Language, Phonological Awareness, Letter Knowledge and Concepts
of Print. Creative Curriculum emphasizes content in literacy, math, science, social studies, the
arts, and technology that preschool children can and should learn. It describes each subject area
and shows how to teach it in ways that support children’s academic progress while respecting the
way they grow and develop. Core Knowledge Preschool Sequence is a set of model guidelines
describing fundamental competencies and specific knowledge. These guidelines, for children
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from three to five years of age, can provide a solid, coherent foundation for later learning in
kindergarten and beyond.
The Whitley County Preschool/Head Start Early Reading First Program objectives are:
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To provide a successful beginning for every child in Whitley County by
equipping them with foundational language and literacy skills,
To keep the focus on the child’s needs: cognitive, adaptive, personal-social, and
physical,
To ensure that the preschool environment is designed to immerse every child in
language and literacy experiences throughout each day, and
Ultimately, to build a foundation of learning that will assure a lifetime of success.
The program objectives are not met through traditional classroom methods but through a venue
of fun, creative, and exciting experiences.
As part of the Building Language for Literacy Curriculum, children interact with the
puppets; Leo the Letter Loving Lobster, Nina the Naming Newt and Reggie the Rhyming Rhino.
Daily activities include song and poem time, story time, choice time and small-group literacy and
math activities. Choice time includes intentional learning activities and child’s choice to do
investigative learning. Choice centers are reading, math, science, block, computer, listening,
art/messy, dramatic play, and writing. As well, preschool classroom libraries have been
expanded to ensure that children have access to print-rich materials at all times.
The Whitley County Preschool/Head Start Early Reading First Program currently boasts
an enrollment of 335 students. These students are in eighteen preschool classrooms throughout
the district and are served by a total staff of fifty-seven classroom teachers/instructional
assistants. Having additional staff facilities greater opportunities for positive learning
interactions between students and staff.
The Whitley County Board of Education members and Superintendent Anderson are avid
supporters of the preschool program and recognize the value of a high quality program. This is
through both strong financial support and enthusiastic sentiment. Superintendent Anderson and
the board members lead by examples as they are often found participating in Family Reading
Night, reading to students, or leading a group of preschoolers on the district’s nature trail. As
well, preschool classrooms are included in the school district’s technology plan and have been
showcased at monthly board meetings. They have participated in fine arts performances, leading
the Pledge of Allegiance, and singing the national Anthem at board meetings.
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The progress of the program is assessed using a variety of assessment tools, including the
Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test (PPV-III), Get Ready to read (GRR) and the Early language
and Literacy Classroom Observation (ELLCO) Toolkit. Statistics, from January 2005 through
May 2005, compiled by Robert Popp, PhD., Program Evaluator reveal that pre/post results on the
PPVT-III show that children made 1.6 months of growth in receptive language for every month
of participation in the program. Students’ language growth rate was 60% faster than what is
expected of average children at that age. On the GRR, 69% of the students scored 16/20 or
above indicating a successful transition into Kindergarten. Also, the pre- and post- ELLCO
assessments showed significant improvements.
These assessments results as well as surveys and observations indicate a successful
transition into Kindergarten. The mission of Whitley county Preschool/Head Start Early
Reading First Program is to ensure that all children enter kindergarten with the necessary
language, cognitive and early reading skills for continual success in school.