An independent study, conducted by Vanderbilt University. proved the effectiveness of TN Pre-K programs. Union County Kindergarten teachers agree that children who attend a Pre-K program are socially, emotionally, and academically prepared (above non-participants). Social-emotional development, play-based learning, small teacher:student ratios, and a rigorous, academic curriculum ensure that your child is ready for Kindergarten.
All Union County Pre-K programs utilize Houghton Mifflin Harcourt's: Big Day for Pre-K. This curriculum was approved by the State of Tennessee in 2018. It is aligned with Tennessee Early Learning Developmental Standards and encompasses all developmental domains, through play-based learning, including:
Approaches to Learning
Social & Personal Competencies
Language & Literacy (English Language Arts)
Mathematics
Science
Social Studies
Creative Arts
Physical Development
Connect4Learning® (C4L) is a research-based, classroom-tested interdisciplinary curriculum that consists of six units and 32 weeks of learning centers and lessons. Developed through funding from the National Science Foundation, it integrates research-validated methodologies from early childhood experts in mathematics, science, literacy, and social and emotional learning.
Last Updated: Feb. 27, 2020
Summary of Curriculum Review
Promotes research-based teaching practices in all Head Start Early Learning Outcomes Framework (ELOF) domains, especially Approaches to Learning, Language and Communication, Literacy, Mathematics, and Scientific Reasoning
Provides a sequence of learning experiences that progressively builds children's knowledge and skills in all ELOF domains except for Perceptual, Motor, and Physical Development
Aligns with the ELOF, but lacks adequate guidance in Health, Safety, and Nutrition
Specifies developmentally appropriate learning goals for units and learning experiences
Promotes ongoing assessment of children's learning
Includes a range of strategies and resources to support parent and family engagement
Gives specific guidance on how to individualize based on children's strengths and needs
Offers comprehensive standardized training and materials to support implementation
Provides limited guidance on how to support the development and learning of children who are dual language learners (DLLs)
Lacks guidance on culturally responsive interactions with children and families
Lacks guidance on how to fully integrate children's and families' cultures into interactions, the learning environment, and learning experiences
Offers limited guidance on how to use teaching practices and interventions and ensure environments and materials are accessible for children with disabilities, suspected delays, or other special needs
Provides minimal guidance on how to plan learning experiences based on individual children's interests
Click on the pictures below for more information.
In addition to the HMH's Big Day for Pre-K assessment component, our programs also use an online assessment known as ESGI. This assessment is given three times during the year and allows easy tracking towards your child's goals. Your teacher will discuss the results of these assessments at parent-teacher conferences during the year. Union County Pre-K Programs maintain a goal of 80% mastery in all domains assessed by the end of the school year.
The Department of Education also requires select students to be assessed using the Portfolio Growth Model in order to determine teacher effectiveness. These results are not entered in student files, but teachers may share results with parents if there child was selected as part of the assessment.