Untitled Document
It is the philosophy of the Education Service Center, Region 20 Head Start Program that young children need to be provided a stimulating, literacy-infused, and responsive environment in which to experience social and cognitive learning. Cultural and linguistic diversity is affirmed and carefully woven to create a tapestry that showcases the strengths and gifts of each child and family. Parental involvement and community support are at the foundation of a child's success.
Home Visits
Teachers are required to make two home visits per year. At the beginning of the school year, in August or September, the teacher and the family set appropriate child development goals for the child. This is also a time to go over key program features. The second visit occurs in April. The teacher and family review the goals established and describe the progress the child has made in each area. The teacher also provides the families with a booklet of activities that the whole family can enjoy doing together during the summer months.
Classroom Curriculum
Three- and four-year olds receive instruction by certified teachers using developmentally appropriate curriculum. All teachers receive curriculum and child development training to meet the needs of every student.
The curriculum currently in use by teachers of three-year olds was written by program teachers, assistants, family service associates, parents and Head Start management team members.
The four-year olds receive instruction based on lessons from the state approved We Can curriculum which was adopted by the program in 2005.
Both curriculums for three- and four-year olds are developmentally and linguistically appropriate and recognize the individual rates of each child's development, individual interests, temperaments, languages, cultural backgrounds and learning styles.
The program curriculums meet the Texas Pre-Kindergarten curriculum guidelines, as well as those required by Head Start Performance Standards.
National Reporting System Child Assessment (NRS)
Children are given a 15-minute assessment in early fall and late spring. Children's abilities are measured in the areas of:
comprehension of spoken English which is composed of two tasks -- children are asked to follow sinple one-step commands and to name or explain the function of objects shown in a series of 10 pictures.
vocabulary -- this task assesses the child's understanding of words representing parts of the human body or their functions, activities of daily living, emotions and feelings, work- or career-related activities, and plants, animals and their habitats.
letter naming -- children are shown all 26 letters of the alphabet, presented in upper- and lower-case pairs. They are asked to identify the letters they know by name.
early math -- children are asked simple math questions.
ESC-20 Contact
Kimiko Washburn Education Specialist (210) 370-5422
For the best viewing experience, please use one of the following browsers:
