Most of my recent work has been with the Alabama Department of Early Childhood Education. The projects have led to an increased visibility and access to the state's high quality Pre-K Program, appropriately called First Class. From 2012 to 2015, my primary responsibility was to help develop the tiered professional development system for the program (The Alabama Reflective Coaching Model - ARC). Another project has been to develop the capacity of coaches and teachers to meet the needs of emerging bilingual language learners (Project IMPACT). Also, as part of a data-collection and analysis team with colleagues in the UAB School of Health and the PARCA institute, we have produced numerous reports, information for presentations to state budget committees, press releases that support the First Class program. Through these efforts, First Class has increased its funding from $19 million (2012) to over $120 million, serving roughly 3000 children in 2012 and over 22,000 children in 2020. 

A Preview of Pre-K

How Alabama's First Class program could serve as a model for things to come

Interviewed for an article in SchoolCEO publication: 

https://www.schoolceo.com/a/a-preview-of-pre-k/

Families in Alabama have free, full-day prekindergarten while many Mass. families can only dream of it

By Naomi Martin and Jenna Russell Globe Staff,Updated January 17, 2022, 4:24 p.m.

Link to some of our research that has provided the foundation for the growth of the state funded First Class Pre-k program in Alabama. 

Alabama’s program is still young, but research already shows promising results: Students who attended the state’s pre-K were less likely than their peers to later be chronically absent, need special education services, or be held back a grade — and as middle-schoolers, they were more likely to read and perform math at grade level.

Available: Boston Globe

Voices From the Field: Interview with Barbara Cooper

Alabama’s Support for Dual Language Learners

The Secretary for the Alabama Department of Early Childhood Education wrote about the ARC in Alabama and our work with IMPACT-PD. For example

The ADECE is committed to seeking multiple opportunities to provide tiered professional learning support for the 2,408 pre-k teachers. We have partnered with the University of Alabama in Birmingham to administer the Improving Preschoolers’ Acquisition of Language through Coaching Teachers and Professional Development (IMPACT-PD) project. This is a professional development opportunity that coaches teachers on ways to improve preschoolers’ acquisition of language, targeted primarily towards DLLs. During the 2020-2021 school year, the IMPACT-PD project added a graduate micro-credential in teaching multilingual learners. Under this program, teachers complete 4-graduate level courses that can be applied towards a M.S. degree in early childhood special education or early childhood education.

https://sites.ed.gov/osers/2020/10/voices-from-the-field-interview-with-barbara-cooper/

Starting at Zero (link to film) explores the power of investing in high-quality early childhood education so that all children and families have the opportunity to attain the American Dream. 

The film brings together the voices of policymakers, educators, academics, business leaders, pediatricians, parents, and children. It features five current and past governors who are champions of early childhood education: Governors Steve Bullock of Montana, Kay Ivey of Alabama, and Ralph Northam of Virginia, as well as former Governors Jim Hunt of North Carolina, and Phil Bryant of Mississippi.

Starting at Zero examines the latest developmental brain science to demonstrate how essential the earliest years of learning are to maximize human potential. Key features of high-quality early childhood learning environments and experiences are outlined and then brought to life as the film delves into the evolution of Alabama’s #1 nationally ranked state Pre-K program. 

Starting at Zero culminates with a call to governors across America for collective action: to set our nation on the path to future success through significant investments in high-quality early childhood education, both to support today’s workforce, and to build the workforce of tomorrow. At the heart of the film is the affirmation that if children are given the opportunity to thrive in settings with caring, responsive adults, the returns to our society will be deep and long-lasting.

Link to Al.com preview of the documentary

The following is an introduction to an article I wrote with some of my doctoral students about play ... 

A common discussion within the education field centers around the amount of play that is included in early educational years. A University of Alabama at Birmingham article, “Childhood Remembered: Reflections on the Role of Play for Holistic Education in Armenia, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, the USA, and Wales,” identified three themes from research on the importance of incorporating play into the classroom. The paper was recognized as the 2019 Most Outstanding Article for the International Journal of the Whole Child.  

Link to article

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The city of Birmingham was selected as one of five American cities to replicate Providence Talks, a free, citywide early childhood program that aims to increase interactive talk with children to foster early brain development.

Supported by Bloomberg Philanthropies, through its What Works Cities initiative, Birmingham is launching Birmingham Talks to serve 2,500 children across Jefferson County over the next three years. The other four cities that are replicating Providence Talks are: Detroit, MI; Hartford, CT; Louisville, KY; and Virginia Beach, VA. Combined with local investments, the support provided across five cities totals nearly $12 million over three years. In addition to Bloomberg Philanthropies, Birmingham Talks is in conversations with other national and local funders to help scale the program to more children in the region.

Part of evaluation team for Birmingham Talks.  Link to press release 

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This Deep-Red State Decided to Make a Serious Investment in Preschools. It’s Paying Off Big-Time.

Call it the Alabama miracle.

Mother Jones article, Kiera Butler - January/February 2019 Issue

Article about the Alabama Pre-K program, citing some of the research that we've provided over the past couple of years about the effectiveness of the state funded First Class Pre-K program in our state. 

How some of our work from last year is being used ...

It seems to be paying off. By third grade, a 2016 analysis showed, preschool participants scored significantly higher than non-preschoolers on state math and reading tests. Low-income kids showed double-­digit improvements, and black kids saw the biggest gains of all: up 16 percent in math and 20 percent in reading compared with black children who didn’t attend. “We hoped that quality preschool would benefit the most at-risk students,” Muhlendorf told me. “It’s surpassed our expectations.”

New research shows Alabama’s First Class Pre-K program benefits students over the long term with no signs of “fade out” over time.

By CAROLINE BECK, Alabama Daily News

New research shows Alabama’s First Class Pre-K program benefits students over the long term with no signs of “fade out” over time.

In a recently-completed study, students who attended First Class Pre-K were significantly more proficient in Math and Reading in the 3rd-7th grades than students who did not. The results of the study also showed that these long term results held true even after controlling for factors that have been shown to impact student outcomes, including poverty, ethnicity, and time.

The study was conducted by the First Class Pre-K Research Evaluation Team, which includes researchers from the UAB School of Public Health, UAB School of Education, and the Public Affairs Research Council of Alabama.

http://www.aldailynews.com/new-study-shows-long-term-benefits-of-first-class-pre-k/

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Pop-up ads on preschool apps troubling, study says

Interviewed by Melanie Posey | October 31, 2018 for WBRC Fox 6 News. 

BIRMINGHAM, AL (WBRC) - Most parents say screen time is inevitable, allowing their child to play on their cell phone or tablet at some point. But recently, some have also noticed a disturbing trend in apps that are supposed to be for children. They’ve noticed pop-up ads.

https://www.wbrc.com/2018/11/01/pop-up-ads-preschool-apps-troubling-study-says/

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Research in the News

Some of our research (Reading and Math at 3rd Grade) with colleagues in the School of Public Health and PARCA was highlighted in an al.com article (Apr. 18, 2018) about Alabama’s First Class Pre-K program. Available at https://bit.ly/2qLWQDw

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Alabama Reflective Coaching Model

The Alabama Reflective Coaching Model, used by the Alabama Department of Early Childhood Education, was recently recognized as one of two “promising State models for coaching” (along with Massachusetts) by the federally funded Center on Enhancing Early Learning Outcomes (April 2018, CEELO Fast Facts). https://bit.ly/2ERjwHk

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Study finds that Alabama prekindergarten boosts math, reading

A study by the University of Alabama at Birmingham and the Public Affairs Research Council of Alabama found that students in Alabama's prekindergarten program are stronger in reading and math than their peers when they reach third grade, the governor's office said in a press release today.

http://www.al.com/news/index.ssf/2018/02/study_finds_that_alabama_preki.html#incart_river_index

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Governor Kay Ivey - State of the State Address, 2018

Effective education requires a strong foundation in a child's early years. In 2017, under the leadership of Secretary Jeana Ross, Alabama's First Class Pre-K program increased the number of classrooms to 938 statewide. Research shows us that students who participate in Alabama's First Class Pre-K program are more likely, than other students, to be proficient in reading and math at every grade level.

For the 11th year in a row, our First-Class Pre-K program was recognized for being the highest-quality Pre-K in the nation. In fact, Harvard University is currently developing a full-length documentary on Alabama's Pre-K program to share across the country with those interested in following our lead. Our First-Class Pre-K is certainly a bright spot for Alabama.

https://governor.alabama.gov/remarks-speeches/2018-state-of-the-state-address/

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ASRA Legislative Booklet

The Alabama School Readiness Alliance provided an updated Legislative Booklet that they provide to state legislators as a part of their advocacy for high-quality Pre-K. An except on Page 6 refers to some of my collaborative work:

• Link to the ASRA 2018 Legislative Booklet

Governor Bentley in his State of the State Address 2017

Governor Bentley in his State of the State Address 2017, referencing collaborative work / publications that I have helped author:

·       http://children.alabama.gov/uploadedFiles/File/First_Class_PreK_Absenteeism.pdf

·       http://children.alabama.gov/uploadedFiles/File/First_Class_PreK_Gold_Performance.pdf

·       http://children.alabama.gov/uploadedFiles/File/First_Class_PreK_Retention.pdf

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Governor Robert Bentley – State of the State Address, 2017

“Alabama’s First Class High Quality Pre K is a proven success.

Each year since I’ve been Governor we have steadily increased funding for Pre-K, we’ve expanded classrooms and most importantly we’ve opened the door to achievement for Alabama’s children.

There is no denying the positive results of children who attend a First Class PreK.  Four-year-olds are building on a firm foundation, demonstrating higher achievement at higher grade levels. We’ve seen the results. In study after study, a four year old enrolled in one of our high quality First Class Pre-K Programs misses fewer school days, they are much less likely to be retained, or held-back, in higher grades and most importantly they are ready for Kindergarten.

We studied four year olds when they first enrolled in Pre-K and again when they completed their year. We found that students at the beginning of the year scored below “widely held expectations” for school readiness. By the time they completed Pre-K, over 90% were meeting or exceeding the expectations across the board.

These children were more than ready to start school. That is why by the third grade, we’ve found PreK children, especially those from low-income families are scoring well in critical areas of math and reading. These findings show us what we already know, that First Class PreK supports a strong foundation for school success and school readiness – and most importantly for our state, our families and our future success of our children – it is closing the achievement gap for our most vulnerable children.

And that’s why for the last 10 years Alabama’s First Class PreK has been awarded the highest quality rating by the National Institute for Early Education Research.

http://governor.alabama.gov/newsroom/2017/02/2017-state-state-address/

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The U.S. Department of Education's Early Learning Newsletter

Voices From the Field: Jeana Ross, Alabama Department of Early Childhood Education

"As secretary of Alabama’s Department of Early Childhood Education, Jeana Ross is leading her state in the expansion of early learning programs with a focus on maintaining their high quality. Since she became secretary in 2012, the state’s voluntary high-quality pre-K program, First Class Pre-K, has grown from 211 to more than 800 classrooms located in all 67 counties in Alabama. Through Maternal Infant and Early Childhood Home Visiting grants and additional state funds, the state's early learning home visiting and family support services have grown from serving 13 counties to a total of 43 counties throughout the state. In an interview available on the OSERS Blog, Ross shares the strategies her state has used to maintain quality while expanding services to Alabama’s youngest learners." 

https://sites.ed.gov/osers/2017/04/voices-from-the-field-interview-with-jeana-ross-secretary-of-the-alabama-department-of-early-childhood-education/

Preschool Development Grant Technical Assistance Quarterly Newsletter

In the Preschool Development Grant Technical Assistance Quarterly Newsletter, Year 2, Issue 3 (a federal newsletter), the Alabama Reflective Coaching Model was highlighted as a State on the Stage. This is a model that a doctoral student and I helped create for the Department of Early Childhood Education in 2013/2014. I continue to provide technical assistance to DECE and more recently DHR.

http://us8.campaign-archive2.com/?u=9a3a0d5fcc698f0cc5dc787e8&id=95c12d6c8c&e=5346a93787%20#StateHighlights

Equity Starts Early: How Chiefs Will Build High-Quality Early Education

Another example of the impact of this work at the national level is in the publication Equity Starts Early: How Chiefs Will Build High-Quality Early Education by the Council of Chief State School Officers (March, 2016). 

Examples

P. 11 - Examples of state leadership:

• Alabama uses the “First Class Standards” in the state’s voluntary Pre-K program to ensure all programs provide a safe and high-quality learning environment for children. The state has trained teams of program monitors and coaches to conduct monthly visits to Pre-K classrooms to assess program quality and provide professional development.

P. 16 - Examples of state leadership:

• Alabama’s First Class Pre-K programs are assigned a coach by the Office of School Readiness. The First Class Coach supports classroom teachers so that they can adhere to the First Class Classroom Guidelines. Coaches provide feedback, coaching, and assessments via regular site visits.

President Obama calls Governor Bentley to congratulate him on re-election, al.com

"Bentley said Obama congratulated him on his victory and said he looked forward to working with him. Bentley said Obama and he talked for about 10 minutes with the president bringing up the state's 2011 outbreak of tornadoes and Alabama's much-praised pre-k program."

NY Times article that references our work in Alabama

Title of article: In Alabama, a Model for Obama’s Push to Expand Preschool

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/15/education/details-emerge-on-obamas-call-to-extend-preschool.html?pagewanted=all