Spring 2016
Stanley C. Mantooth, Ventura County Superintendent of Schools
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From Early Education to After School Programs:
Learning Opportunities are Expanding in Ventura County

When we think of public education, it's easy to focus on what happens during the school day in elementary, middle and high schools. But there's a whole world of learning that takes place outside of the traditional classroom setting. Throughout Ventura County, preschools are preparing our youngest learners for academic success. And for students of all ages, after school programs are opening the door to subjects that aren't covered during the constraints of the regular school day. 

In this edition of Focus on Education, we take a look at how early education and after school programs are evolving into key components of a well-rounded education. We visit a unique VCOE after school pilot program that's using the late afternoon hours to teach about science and technology. And we find out why children who are enrolled in preschool have a leg up that can last a lifetime.  
 
Stan Mantooth 
Ventura County Superintendent of Schools
Expanding Access to Quality Preschool and Childcare 

Carrie Murphy
High quality early education programs can set the stage for a lifetime of learning and success. And as the demand for preschool and childcare continues to rise in Ventura County, VCOE is working to make it available to more families. A 2015 study conducted by the Local Planning Council of Ventura County found that 29 percent of families are unable to find childcare for their children who are five and younger. "We experienced significant cuts during the recession and now we're looking to restore the spaces that were lost," says Carrie Murphy, Director of Early Childhood Programs at VCOE.

It's not only about getting a child into a program, but ensuring the programs are doing a good job. That's why VCOE is implementing the Rising Stars Quality Rating and Improvement System, which evaluates programs and assigns them one to five stars. The ratings are based on criteria such as staff training, adult-child interactions, and adult-to-child ratios. The ratings show Ventura County is home to many high quality programs, with 95 percent of rated sites earning scores of three stars or better.

Credit: Children Now
The best early education programs help kids have fun while they learn. Michell Henry with VCOE Early Childhood Programs says a simple activity like playing with blocks is actually a learning opportunity for children. "They're not just having a good time with blocks. They are learning basic math concepts while they play." Henry says social development is just as important. "They're learning how to get along with their peers, which is a critical skill to acquire before they go to kindergarten."

To locate an early childhood learning program or childcare center in your area, call Child Development Resources at 805-485-7878, ext. 1512 or visit their referral information page.

Transitional Kindergarten Helps Fill the Gap

A new option for early childhood education is Transitional Kindergarten or TK. It's actually a new grade level in California that's open to four-year-olds with birthdays between September 2 and December 2 in most cases. TK programs give these kids an extra year of developmentally appropriate education that bridges the gap between preschool and traditional kindergarten. 

TK programs are in place at your local school district. You can learn more about them on your district's website and find out about our TK training programs for teachers on the VCOE transitional kindergarten webpage.
Early Brain Development is Key to Future Success 

Ninety percent of a child's brain development happens in the first four years of life. It's an astounding fact that highlights the importance of providing enriching environments for all children in their early years. "The more experiences they have, the more they are exposed to, the more the brain develops. That's why we say it's a window of opportunity," says Claudia Harrison, Executive Director of First 5 Ventura County. 

There are simple things parents can do to promote brain development from infancy. "When you look at your kids and they look back at you and they smile, then you smile and they smile more. Or they make a sound and you respond by making a sound. That kind of positive interaction is extremely important," Harrison says.

Exposing children to words has tremendous power to promote brain development, and this is an area where the opportunity gap faced by many children shows up at an early age. "This is astounding, but by the age of three, children from lower income families are exposed to thirty million fewer words than children from higher income families," Harrison says. Even parents who lack the time or ability to read books to their children can help close the gap by telling stories or singing songs throughout the day. Or consider taking your child to one of the many story times at a nearby library or bookstore. But don't think sitting your child in front of the TV is a good substitute for real human interaction. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends zero screen time before the age of two.

Born Learning Trail
Another fun and interactive way to put the brains of young kids to work is to visit one of the six Born Learning Trails located in public parks throughout Ventura County. First 5 and United Way created the trails which guide visitors through a variety of activities such as hopscotch, listening to birds or recognizing shapes. A listing of Born Learning Trail locations is available here. 

First 5 Ventura County coordinates a variety of additional early education programs for kids and parents. They've established eleven "Neighborhoods for Learning" throughout the county that provide services to promote health and early learning in the first years of life. You can find your local Neighborhood for Learning on the First 5 website or by calling 211.
Expanded Learning Programs for the 21st Century

Historically, expanded learning programs simply provided a safe haven where kids could spend their after school hours until parents concluded their work day. Today's after school programs, however, provide much more than that, having become a key component of an effective and comprehensive K-12 school day structure. Expanded learning programs provide students access to additional learning and enrichment opportunities, academic tutoring, and social-emotional support outside of the regular school day.   

Amy Cranston
"You have these kids in school for three additional hours a day, five days a week. If you add that up, students are actually getting an additional ninety school days each year," says Amy Cranston, Director of VCOE's department of Expanded Learning Services. 

Drop in to a local after school program and you're likely to find kids learning about technology, getting help with their homework or exploring their talents and passions through art, recreation, and STEM activities. For kids from economically disadvantaged families, this can help level the playing field with their peers. "These programs expand students' horizons by exposing them to activities, opportunities, and experiences they may not otherwise have access to," Cranston says. "We now know the achievement gap is really more of an opportunity gap."

These opportunities get students more engaged with learning. "They can find something they're interested in and that they're good at in the after school program," Cranston says. The relationships students build with the after school staff can keep them excited about school. In fact, studies show school attendance rates improve when kids participate in after school programs.

Expanded learning programs also focus on students' social skills and emotional well-being. "It's about getting along with others, learning to collaborate, showing empathy, and developing both cognitive and non-cognitive skills," Cranston says. Recent research indicates that social-emotional learning skills are actually stronger predictors of positive adult outcomes than academic performance.

When it comes to paying for after school programs, California leads the nation, spending more than all other states combined. This allows most students to attend with little or no cost to their families. Even so, most programs only receive enough grant funding to spend $7.50 per student, per day. Research indicates the cost of operating a high-quality program is more in the neighborhood of $20 per student, per day. 

As the lead agency for Region 8 After School Programs, the Ventura County Office of Education advocates for additional funding and helps ensure that money is well spent by promoting continuous quality improvement and expanded access in a four-county region. You can learn more about after school programs in Ventura County on the VCOE website.
 
VCOE Pilot After School Program Serves as Regional Model

At Mesa Union School in Somis, the learning doesn't stop when the bell rings at the end of the day. On any given afternoon, you'll find students engaged in a variety of educational activities from building wind turbines to designing airplanes to learning 
Anthony Oliveras
about hydrogen fuel cells. 

The students attend the Full STEAM Ahead after school program, which is a pilot project operated by the Ventura County Office of Education. Site Leader Anthony Oliveras says the goal is to build a program that serves as a model of "best practices" for other expanded learning programs throughout Ventura County. "Other districts and programs come to visit to see how we've structured our activities and created our schedule so they can develop a program like this one," he says. 

Full STEAM Ahead provides a variety of activities that teach kids about science, technology, engineering, arts and math. One example is the NASA Museum in a Box, which gives kids hands-on lessons in the science of flight. The program also works to 
give kids a positive self-image to help them succeed in school and in life. Shanti Miglino 
is a Mesa Union fifth grader who says the program is making her a better student. "I really like it because they always help me with my homework and I'm doing a lot better in school. Now I really understand my homework and can do it by myself."

"Full STEAM Ahead provides a chance for students to think and act deeply in projects and with each other," says Mesa Union Principal Ryan Howatt. "The thing I am most grateful for in our collaboration is that Full STEAM Ahead is not 'more of the same.' Kids are engaged in solving problems, hands-on exploration and presenting their findings to our community." 

Addie Steele
Addie Steele is the program's Academic Liaison and also a first grade teacher at Mesa Union. Her dual role gives her a unique perspective on the ways after school programs can complement what students learn during the school day. "This is a different environment and you really see their personality and their creativity. After school, we expand on classroom learning in an exploratory way that the kids really enjoy. " 

While the program is focused on science, it still makes time for recreational and creative activities like sports, cooking and art. Now in its second year, the program is enjoying positive feedback from students and parents for successfully making the after school hours productive, enriching and fun.
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