Early learning is on the center of education. Because schools nationwide face resources and the shortage of potential teachers, innovative approaches to early childhood education have impressive results. By using data to guide guidance, building a community bond, and focusing on student target help, some areas have a remarkable change in academic performance. What can educators learn from these success stories?
To explore effective strategies in early learning, Edorge talked Dr. Daryl HensonDirector Merlin Independent School District (ISD)。 Henson’s career, who has obtained primary education at the University of Texas University, is a multiple grade and role of teachers, guidance coaches, principals, and vice coaches in various districts. Since May 2020, he has led Merlin ISD to a glorious example of Texas and subsequent education to the “best secrets of the nation”.
Edsurge: Marlin ISD shows a noticeable academic growth under your leadership. How did early learning contribute to this change?
Henson: There was Marlin ISD in 2022 The best academic growth throughout TexasAn honorary badge for our community. Note that we are the longest school district in the state and the fifth school district in the United States. So when I participated, we knew we needed to immediately affect students, faculty and staff. I immediately realized that the curriculum resources provided to students and staff were important. We needed a solution that could differentiate to meet all students’ needs, but also helpful as a user -friendly resources for teachers who worked to become more powerful educators.
When Read the egg and MathSeeds from 3P learningI am confident that there is a platform that can track all students -I am confident -I am confident -I am confident. Our teachers and staff can access data indicating where students are standing, and tools and resources to turn into potential performance.
Early literacy is the foundation of all students and an important focus of Marlin ISD. Early intervention is important. If the first grader is at the level of K, they are delayed in the second grade, but they are not too late to catch up. I will not wait for 3rd or 4th grade. I will intervene as soon as possible.
How did Merlin implement the science of reading principles? What have you seen the results of literacy?
Reading science is very important because children need to know how to read. As a result, the early literacy program has focused on phonetic recognition and phonics. Students need to know the sound because they can focus on their understanding if they can decipher words.
Teachers guarantee that they are not only visual words but also phonetic recognition, phonics, style flu, and vocabulary training. Visual words contribute to the style Ency and phonics, but vocabulary is to understand the actual context of the word. For example, students may decipher the word “empire”, but do you understand the meaning beyond the context of TV programs?
This job does not stop in early childhood education. Many of our students are urgent learners, regardless of grade level. By focusing on rhymes, sounds, and style ency, we have established a foundation that allows you to investigate and infer the author’s purpose.
How does Merlin guarantee that students develop both literacy and number skills? And why do you believe this balance is essential for long -term success?
There is an important connection between the early literacy and the numbers. The numbers are words. They have a sound, and you need to read and understand what they say. It also builds a powerful foundation for a balanced scholar. We track where the children are, while guarantee that our curriculum is highly integrated and intertwined. I work to eliminate guidance silo as much as possible.
It is all linked to specialized ability development. I don’t expect a teacher to become a curriculum developer. I want to be an implementation of the curriculum.
We involve the family, provide the same or very similar training to parents, and use the same language as teachers and staff. I don’t believe that I do too much water for my parents or overwhelm them. In many ways, they are the same level of respect because they are the first teachers of their children.
How does Merlin use data to notify early learning guidance and intervention?
Utilize data in all aspects of early learning guidance and intervention. By analyzing student performance, specific needs are identified and instructions are adjusted accordingly. It is very difficult and often unrealistic to expect a teacher to distinguish 20 children’s guidance at once. Therefore, it is important to partner with programs and resources that can support differentiation.
For example, a few years ago, I noticed a big gap on the sound of the sound element recognition skills of kindergarten students. After analyzing data, we have identified a specific area that caused the most tasks for specific students, such as DIPHTHONGS and consonant blends. After acquiring this information, I implemented an intervention that focused on the school day.
We focused on these specific skills with intense accuracy. For example, I used a consonant blend to drain and practice until the students mastered them. By focusing on these gaps and dealing from the front, we were able to close completely in just three weeks without delaying the curriculum.
What are the biggest issues and opportunities for early learning in the future?
Counteriting the reasons behind it will be a completely separate conversation, but we need to be realistic about shortage of teachers nationwide. In addition, it is necessary to increase the level of respect for educational professionals.
One of the sustainable tasks is that research is very valuable, but is always changing. The pendulum continues to shake and learns from research, but the constant changing properties bring a task.
I think the shortage of teachers will be even more noticeable in early childhood education. This new generation, and coming behind them, doubts about whether they have a child, spirit, and persistence, especially when they may show any other behavior other than standard. I will throw it.
In order to work on these issues, it is necessary to prioritize early childhood education and focus only on the tested grades. While the tested grades maintain the lighting, investing in childhood creates a strong base that runs around for many years.
In addition to PD, it is necessary to invest in high -quality specialized ability, as well as effective and intentional training according to campus and district needs. Technology is also important, but it must be an appropriate technology. This is not only the latest gadget but also a tool that works.
Another important work is to build a powerful community partnership. If the school is facing a big challenge, why not get involved in the entire community?
Finally, it is necessary to accept data and information and respond realistically. Tlimpse does not solve anything. At the meeting, I know that I want a honest and simple answer -not a buzzword. Let’s have a real conversation about barriers and issues, and how we can cooperate and delete them. All for the benefit of students.
Dr. Henson further shares the strategy and leadership principle that has changed his struggle. On -demand Webinar。
