Supporting Transitions to Elementary School: Collaborative Agreements
Successful transitions require communication and coordination between schools and early childhood providers. Title I requirements provide a framework for this collaboration, helping ensure that all Kindergarteners have the support they need to succeed.
Local education agencies (LEAs) receiving Title I funds are required to develop written agreements with Head Start—and, if feasible, other early childhood providers—to increase coordination.
Agreements must include the following:
- Records Transfer: Developing and implementing a systematic procedure for transferring records
- Ongoing Communication: Establishing channels of communication to coordinate programs
- Family Involvement: Conducting meetings with parents and teachers from both entities to discuss the developmental and other needs of individual children
- Joint Professional Development: Organizing and participating in joint professional development
- Linked Services: Linking the educational services provided by the LEA with Head Start
Resources
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CCSSO. 2019. "New Early Childhood Coordination Requirements in the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA): A Toolkit for State and Local Educational Agencies, Head Start Programs, and the Early Childhood Field." (This toolkit created by the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO) includes examples of successful strategies being used across the country.)
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DPI. 2019. Handout on Title I Early Childhood Requirements
Source
Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, as amended by the Every Student Succeeds Act of 2015, 20 U.S.C. § 6301, Section 1119