What specific section(s) or
information seemed particularly relevant to your current professional
development?
In
the first week of this class one of the sites that I used was the National Head
Start Association. This is relevant to my current professional development
because I work for a Head Start agency and it is nice to see how Head Start is
on a national level instead of just local. I joined their blog and I read some
of the “news” articles to see what is happening through their prospective.
Which
ideas/statements/resources, either on the website or in an e-newsletter, did
you find controversial or made you think about an issue in new ways?
One
of the articles on the website that was a bit controversial was that fact that
after a 3rd grade follow up of 5000 students, it was implying that
Head Start does not work, however, “Yasmina Vinci just wrote an article
for Reuter’s
which puts the findings in clear perspective, laying out more than 45 years of
evidence that Head Start works!” (Let’s Keep Things in Perspective, 2012).
What information does the
website or the e-newsletter contain that adds to your understanding of how economists,
neuroscientists, or politicians support the early childhood field?
The website contains so much information that
it is hard to pinpoint just one area; however, there is a section now about a
seminar that was held on January 31 that fits with what we are discussing in
class. Here is the pre write up for the event:
The number of children in poverty is nearing a level
not seen since the Great Depression. At the same time, dollars for public
programs have stagnated or been cut and public sentiment is focused elsewhere.
This opening session will start a dialogue about getting off to the “right
start” for Head Start in this New Year, new Congress, and new Administration.
Led by Ralph Smith from the Annie E. Casey Foundation, it will address where we
can refocus our priorities, conversations, and work in order to make a real
change for the children and families touched by poverty. (National Head Start
Association, 2012)
What other new insights about
issues and trends in the early childhood field did you gain from exploring the
website or e-newsletter?
I have found that these issues that we have been discussing
on our local levels are discussed on a national level through this site. I am
able to read about policy makers and what they are trying to do to help low
income families.
News
you can use. (2012, January 11). Let’s Keep Things in Perspective: Release of
the Head Start Impact Study Third Grade Follow-up. National Head Start Association. Retrieved
from http://www.nhsa.org/news_you_can_use_week_of_january_11_2013
Thanks for sharing this website Elizabeth. I think I'm going to go to Head Start website to get more information. It's interesting/sad to see that the levels of childhood poverty are close to levels of those of the Great Depression.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the info and the article I am going to share this at work. It's funny we were talking about that information the other day but no one brought up that article I wonder if this is where the individual got the information from
ReplyDeleteHi Elizabeth
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing! I am a Head Start person also and see the poverty and struggling families in the county where I work. There was an article in our local newspaper two weeks ago suggesting that Head Start does not work. Needless to say, our agency, families and state collaborator felt the need to respond in a big way.
Elizabeth-I know it must have been shocking to see that Head Start has strong critics. I dont really know more than what previous courses have shared about Head Start, but with persons like yourself and others I have met during these courses, this program must only be a success. Futher more, the growth and stability of this programs speaks for its success. Thanks for sharing the info you did.
ReplyDeleteElizabeth, nice website. Prior to working for the school district I too worked for Headstart, I find it hard to believe that someone would say Headstart doesn't work, because of Headstart, children have a HEADSTART, they are provided with high quality care, resources, structure, and being prepared for kindergarten.What a shame that someone would write negatively about such a wonderful program.
ReplyDelete