British Columbia
School Superintendents
Association
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TOMORROW'S EARLY LEARNING:
Access and Equity For All Children
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STUART SHANKER Developmental Pathways: Scaffolding for Early Learners
Recent advances in our understanding of the developmental pathways that lead to mental health have the potential to revolutionize our attitudes towards education and to help each and every child realize their educational potential. On the basis of this new scientific knowledge, we can better understand how to enhance a child’s preschool education and why it is so difficult to change a child’s educational trajectory once they enter kindergarten or grade 1. Most important of all, this new knowledge provides us with a framework for helping each and every child realize their true educational potential.
JANE BEACH & JANE BERTRAND Time to Move to a Better Place
Jane Beach will identify some exemplary Human Resource practices. Jane Bertrand will then put out a challenge to both teachers and ECEs to “move to a better place” noting that status quo is not really an option. Both Janes will include direct connections for principals and senior administrators and to early childhood leadership to make this possible.
JANET MORT Reducing Child Vulnerabilities: Ten BC Trend-buckers
In a message of hope and possibility, Janet will tell the stories of 10 communities where - contrary to the provincial trend - EDI vulnerabilities improved significantly between Wave 1 and Wave 2 assessments. Those who participated in her research study believe that creative and focused preschool programs introduced after Wave 1 and in place for more than three years were responsible for improved EDI results in Wave 2. She will describe the lessons she learned from their experiences.
CHARLIE COFFEY Investing in Early Child Development: Getting comfortable with the uncomfortable!
Charlie Coffey will address the importance of investing in early child development (ECD), with a focus on the interconnection between the economic and social imperative. He will also share perspectives and success stories about building the business leadership case that supports a “children first” agenda. In addition, he will help frame discussions and action plans for encouraging business, educators/administrators, governments and communities to act as ECD partners in advancing British Columbia’s and Canada’s path to prosperity.
Concurrent Sessions
JANE BEACH Looking to the Future: The Role of Schools in Building a Coherent System of Early Childhood Programs
In the past few years, school districts in British Columbia have become more aware of the impact of early experiences on lifelong learning and the role that schools can play in supporting the healthy development of young children. Schools currently house a number of early childhood programs with multiple objectives and governance structures, and a range of relationships with the formal education system.
This workshop will provide an overview of the current context for and the range of early childhood programs in BC. It will then examine some key policy areas to address to move to a more coherent, integrated, and sustainable early childhood system, and the role that school districts might play to ensure access, quality, and equity for children and families.
JANE BERTRAND Early Learning for Every Child
Access and equity for all children means early learning opportunities for every child. Curriculum and pedagogy that capitalizes on children’s curiosity and exuberance accelerate the aptitudes that children declare. This session will explore optimal curriculum approaches that transverse kindergarten, childcare, preschool, and family drop-in program boundaries. It will also challenge approaches that ‘schoolify’ or pathologize early childhood. The workshop will take into account the kindergarten curriculum and early learning framework currently used in British Columbia.
JANET MORT Early Learning: The School Leadership Challenge?
Janet will explore the possibilities, issues, and challenges that the school system will encounter as it assumes increasing responsibility for its early learning mandate. Her reflections are based on her past five years of experience researching BC schools and their engagement in early learning initiatives. She will describe examples of the new and powerful role that school leaders can play in community development and mobilization for young children and their families. These community partnerships have the potential to enhance school success for many children who would have otherwise faced significant challenges.
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