Curriculum

An evidenced-based, integrated, and comprehensive curriculum, when fully implemented, makes it easier and more efficient for teachers to engage in sensitive, responsive, and cognitively stimulating teacher-child interactions.

VPI Guidelines Section 1: Providing a Quality Preschool Education

To improve kindergarten readiness in Carroll County, all Pre-K programs will provide high-quality teacher-child interactions and instruction.

Currently, Carroll County currently uses "Our World of Learning" (OWL), a vetted, evidence-based curriculum that is aligned with Virginia’s Early Learning & Development Standards (ELDS) Birth-Five Learning Guidelines.

However, this curriculum has been retired and the Curriculum Adoption Team will be receiving support from VDOE with adopting another curriculum as outlined below.

Pre-K teachers utilize Letterland for phonemic awareness and phonics instruction.

To meet the social and emotional needs of students, Pre-K teachers use the Al's Pals curriculum.

The PALS Pre-K, VKRP, and the curriculum assessments are used to monitor and evaluate student's progress and kindergarten readiness.

Carroll County Pre-K students have access to speciality classes at all locations.


VKRP
Als Pals
OWL
PALS

Desired Outcomes

  1. Carroll County Pre-K Teachers will use a vetted, evidence-based curriculum that is aligned with Virginia’s Early Learning & Development Standards (ELDS) Birth-Five Learning Guidelines.

Action Steps

    • Develop a Curriculum Review Team. Review the vetted, evidenced-based curriculum choices. Choose a curriculum.

    • Create checklist to clarify expectations for curriculum implementation, including use of ongoing assessment in addition to PALS Pre-K. 3.

    • Observe curriculum implementation and gather data to improve the curriculum implementation process.

  1. Carroll County Pre-K teachers will implement their chosen curriculum with fidelity to promote children’s learning and development.

Action Steps

    • Carroll County's will provide at least 8 hours of introductory training, access to curriculum materials, implementation support, and coaching.

    • Program leaders will be fully versed in the curriculum, and

    • the divisions will provide curriculum experts who can provide ongoing training and support.

  1. Carroll County Pre-K teachers will use assessments to individualize their instruction to meet the needs of their students.


Action Steps

  • Pre-K will use the Pre-K PALS assessment, once in the Fall and once in the Spring, to guide instruction in early literacy and language development.

  • Pre-K teachers will administer the VKRP, once in the Fall and once in the Spring, to assess children's Kindergarten Readiness Skills. VKRP measures mathematics, self-regulation, and social skills.

  • Pre-K teachers will receive introductory training to understand the administration process, how to use the data, and how to communicate the results to families.