Photo:: Topographic map of Wharton, circa 1888, courtesy of the US Geological Society
The CNA is a REPORT *** Surveys are NOT the Assessment
CNA serves as a springboard for the ECAC and:
Asks detailed and probing questions that yield usable information
Identify / identifies the most relevant community problem(s),
Identify / identifies any outstanding concerns
Identify / identifies any current issues
All of these impact(s) the preschool program and the families and children that are served.
STEPS: How a CNA is completed:
Preparation and planning:
What do I want to learn? (purpose)
What are our strengths as a district?
Someone who reads the CNA should learn about our community.
Collect the data /information gathered
Who do I want to hear from?
HOW will I hear from them?
Where did data come from?
Analyze the data
Organize it
Identify patterns, trends
Show relationships and distinctions
Interpret the data
The WHYs
What does this mean?
Understand the underlying causes and implications
Putting findings into the context of our community (social, economic, cultural dynamics, etc.)
What are the solutions, if needed?
What ACTIONS need to be taken? Relationships to bigger issues
Document the findings
CPIS creates a written report
Findings do NOT always have to be a “problem” - can be related to what we do well and need to continue