Can the quality of early childhood education be significantly improved through targeted coaching and data-driven strategies? Join us as Lynn Cook, Coach Specialist, and Jenny Fleming, Program Quality Specialist, share their expertise and success stories from Nebraska's Step Up to Quality program. They reveal the planning and robust foundations that underpin the program, including the recruitment, training, and ongoing support for coaches and observers. Discover how they've secured buy-in from educators and stakeholders, ensuring the program's goals are well understood and embraced.

The Step Up to Quality program in Nebraska is no small feat, encompassing around 753 centers, including family childcare, Head Starts, and public school preschools. Learn about the thoughtfully designed processes and support systems that ensure a smooth and rewarding experience, from initial rating requests to final observations. Lynn and Jenny also share effective coaching measures and strategies to maintain observation fidelity, emphasizing the importance of continuous professional development.

Topics Discussed in This Episode

• [00:00:00] Introduction
• [00:00:27] Lynn’s role as a Coach Specialist
• [00:00:53] Jenny’s role as a Program Quality Specialist
• [00:02:24] How the CLASS implementation team was formed
• [00:06:16] Effective methods to create investment into the CLASS system and interactions with stakeholders
• [00:07:48] What buy-in looks like and what effective strategies help to build that
• [00:12:29] The system in place for data collection
• [00:16:49] Examples of decisions that were influenced by CLASS data
• [00:19:49] How many programs the state has
• [00:22:30] The standard process of communication with educators in the weeks leading to their CLASS observations
• [00:27:13] How to help educators adopt new practices
• [00:30:28] The steps coaches take to use data and support teachers
• [00:32:43] The measure of the effectiveness of coaching sessions
• [00:34:37] Supports in place for observers
• [00:37:44] Advice for listeners about CLASS implementation

Resources

Marnetta Larrimer

Lynne Cook

Jenny Fleming