Smart Start
Smart Start, the early learning division of United Way of Metropolitan Atlanta has joined forces with a coalition of early childhood advocates and professionals to implement four Early Reading First (ERF) grants throughout metropolitan Atlanta: DREAM, READERS, LIGHT and APPLE. The programs focus on low-income, preschool children with risks for reading difficulties, transforming our existing, good programs into programs of excellence. Over 80% of youth in our program areas qualify for free or reduced lunch, far exceeding the state average of 50%. To date, more than 1700 children in Dekalb, Fulton, and Cobb counties have been served.
The key indicator of a child's later success in school is their ability to read. The goal of ERF is to enhance the early language, literacy, and pre-reading development of young children, particularly those from low income families, through strategies and professional development that are grounded in Scientifically-Based Reading Research (SBRR) and family literacy.
The goal of our ERF programs is to increase teachers, assistants, administrators, and coaches knowledge and use of SBRR. A professional development plan was developed to systematically address early literacy skills essential to future reading success. To date, ERF professionals have received more than 2,500 hours of professional development delivered through seminars, field trips to model classrooms, study groups, in classroom- coaching, summer institute and local and national conferences.
The success of ERF programs can be measured by the quality of the classroom environment, child outcomes that assess the main skills predictive of reading success, and the professional development opportunities provided to classroom teachers, as well as the classroom environment and child outcomes. The use of valid assessment instruments is also a key component of ERF programs. This data allows us to gauge the progress of ERF children in obtaining the necessary skills to become successful readers and to show gains during program implementation.
Aspects of the projects include:
• Implementing Opening the World of Learning (OWL), which is a
comprehensive, integrated curriculum.
• Enhancing classroom learning environments.
• Providing teachers with new ways to help children improve their language.
• Providing coaching and early literacy training for teachers to help them
fully integrate literacy throughout their classrooms.
• Engaging families in their child's early reading experiences to reinforce these
skills at home.
UWMA_SmartStart_ERF READERS Grant_2006-2010_ Publication:
This publication documents and highlights the lessons learned during the implementation of the READERS grant. It is presented in the format of case studies and practical applications with many examples and experiences that are linked to working with teachers, students, and families.
UWMA_SmartStart_ERF LIGHT Grant_2007-2011_Publication:
This publication documents and highlights the success of Literacy Generates Hope for Tomorrow (LIGHT), a project developed from an Early Reading First grant awarded to the United Way of Metropolitan Atlanta by the U.S. Department of Education.
Smart Start / Education Transition
For the past 10 years, United Way has developed and implemented a set of early learning strategies based on community input. These strategies have proven to be the necessary set of strategies to promote positive outcomes for young children and families and ensure that children have the necessary set of skills and tools to be successful in Kindergarten.
United Way is building on the foundational work of Smart Start, developing a comprehensive plan for education to include strategies that support our goals; children enter school ready to learn, avoid risky behaviors and graduate prepared for careers.
The focus of our work in education is to support all children:
ages 0–21 for success in school, work and life.
Upcoming Events:
EARLY LITERACY SYMPOSIUM 2012
Advance registration is now open for the Early Literacy Symposium of the United Way of Metropolitan Atlanta, March 24, 2012 in Atlanta, GA. Co-sponsored with Sheltering Arms Georgia Training Institute (GTI), this annual event is one of the premier early literacy conferences in the southeast.
In addition to choices of workshops in language and literacy for educators working with children ages birth to grade 3, these nationally-recognized speakers have been confirmed:
Earl Martin Phalen, Chief Executive Officer of Reach Out and Read & Founder of Summer Advantage USA
Laura Justice, Ph.D., Professor in the School of Teaching and Learning, The Ohio State University
Phyllis C. Hunter, President, Phyllis C. Hunter Consulting, Inc. and creator of the Phyllis C. Hunter Classroom Libraries
Jeanne Davidson Adair, Ed. D., Research Manager, Focus On Successful Solutions, LLC.
PLEASE USE THE LINK BELOW TO ACCESS THE REGISTRATION FORM FOR ADVANCE RESERVATIONS:
http://www.caresolutions.com/docs/RegistrationForm_EarlyLiteracySymposium2012.pdf
Substitute Teacher Program (STP) Upcoming Classes:
MARIETTA CLASS: February 27 - March 2, 2012
Class Hours: 8:30 am - 3:30 pm
City: Marietta
Counties: Cobb, Cherokee, Douglas, Fulton, Paulding &
open to all Metro Atlanta counties
Application DEADLINE: February 17, 2012
COLUMBUS CLASS: March 12-16, 2012
Class Hours: 8:30 am - 3:30 pm
City: Columbus
Counties: Chattahoochee, Harris, Muscogee, Talbot &
nearby counties
Application DEADLINE: February 27, 2012
McDONOUGH CLASS: March 26-30, 2012
Class Hours: 8:30 am - 3:30 pm
City: McDonough
Counties: Butts, Clayton, Fayette, Henry & open to
all Metro Atlanta counties
Application DEADLINE: March 12, 2012
SUWANEE CLASS: April 16-20, 2012 (SPANISH ONLY)
Class Hours: 8:30 am - 3:30 pm
City: Suwanee
Counties: Forsyth, Fulton, Gwinnett, & (all Metro Atlanta)
Application DEADLINE: April 6, 2012
DOUGLASVILLE CLASS: April 23-27, 2012
Class Hours: 8:30 am - 3:30 pm
City: Douglasville
Counties: Cobb, Cherokee, Douglas, Paulding &
nearby counties
Application DEADLINE: April 9, 2012
AUGUSTA CLASS: May 7-11, 2012
Class Hours: 8:30 am - 3:30 pm
City: Augusta
Counties: Burke, Columbia, McDuffie, Richmond, &
nearby counties
Application DEADLINE: April 23, 2012
DECATUR CLASS: May 21-25, 2012
Class Hours: 8:30 am - 3:30 pm
City: Decatur
Counties: DeKalb, Fulton, Rockdale
Application DEADLINE: May 11, 2012
MORROW CLASS: June 4-8, 2012
Class Hours: 8:30 am - 3:30 pm
City: Morrow
Counties: Butts, Clayton, Fayette
Application DEADLINE: May 21, 2012
ATLANTA CLASS: June 11-15, 2012
Class Hours: 8:30 am - 3:30 pm
City: Atlanta
Counties: Clayton, DeKalb, Fayette, Fulton
Application DEADLINE: May 28, 2012
Thank you so much for your interest in our Substitute Teacher Program!
For more information about the Early Education Substitute Teacher program, please visit our website @ http://www.ecegasubs.org
Additional Resources:
U. S. Department of Education
President Obama has established a goal that, by 2020, the United States will once again have the highest proportion of college graduates in the world. Meeting this goal is vital to our long-term economic security and to preparing young people and adults to be active citizens. Reaching the President's goal will require comprehensive education reforms from cradle to career, beginning with children at birth, supporting them through high school and postsecondary education, and helping them to succeed as lifelong learners who can adapt to the constant changes in the demands of the global economy. To monitor the Country's progress towards reaching our goal, the U.S. Department of Education presents the United States Education Dashboard. The Dashboard is intended to spur and inform conversations about how to improve educational results.
United States Education Dashboard
Early Learning and Literacy Newsletter - Winter 2011
Early Learning and Literacy Newsletter - August 2010
Early Learning and Literacy Newsletter - June / July 2010
Early Learning and Literacy Newsletter - May 2010
Early Learning and Literacy Newsletter - April 2010
Early Learning and Literacy Newsletter - March 2010
Early Learning and Literacy Newsletter - February 2010