Reports

Self-Assessment Planning and Data Review Team

We are creating a Self-Assessment Planning and Data Review Team. The team will help PSESD Early Learning review progress being made on our goals and objectives, identify systemic issues, and consider new innovations. We are looking for individuals (parents, teachers, Family Support and Center Directors) to help us assess our program and make improvements as needed.

The request is for individuals to serve a one year term for a maximum of two consecutive years and then may be eligible to return after a one year hiatus. We would typically meet four times between August and May of the next year, but due to our current COVID status, our first meeting will be November 6, 2020 for an orientation and determination of meeting schedule for the 20-21 year. During our time together, we will review data (program goals progress, attendance, enrollment, check points, incidents, etc.), identify and monitor trends, and make recommendations for improvements to help our program be the best it can be!

If you are interested, or know someone that would be interested in participating, please contact Beth Larsen by 10/15/2020.

Click on the panels below to learn more about annual assessments and reports, as well as how to collaborate with PSESD on a research project.

Self-Assessment

As a Head Start and ECEAP grantee, PSESD is required to complete an annual self-assessment process, develop an improvement plan, and deliver a report to its funding agencies. Self-assessment is a part of PSESD’s overall continuous improvement process. It is a comprehensive review of the Early Learning Program’s effectiveness and an opportunity to consider potential changes or improvements to the program.

The process focuses on the collection and analysis of data related to long-term priorities, goals, and strategies. It draws on information from ongoing monitoring data and input from partners such as Policy Council and families, PSESD Early Learning staff, and subcontractor leaders and staff. These are the means to understand how the program is progressing and what can be improved.

The Self-Assessment process is as follows:

1. Establish Self-Assessment Task Force: At the start of the annual process, PSESD convenes a Self-Assessment Task Force, comprised of PSESD staff, Center Directors, families, and other relevant partners. The Task Force establishes the information needs for a given year and reviews and suggests adjustments to methodology for gathering information. The information needs focus on priorities and strategies, and go beyond monitoring data that is regularly reviewed and analyzed.

2. Refresh Annual Design: The Self-Assessment Task Force reflects on the previous year’s process, including successes and challenges that were encountered, and suggests potential changes.

Update Self-Assessment Information Needs: To update the information needs, the Task Force identifies information necessary to assess progress toward established outcomes. Information needs can also be identified from funders’ self-assessment topical requirements. When information gaps are likely to exceed capacity for collecting data, the Task Force prioritizes information needs for the year.
Update Data Collection Methods and Samples: As information needs are identified, data collection methods are determined. Data collection from staff and families combines a broad-reaching survey and regional discussion groups with an in-depth, purposeful sample of sites to balance breadth and depth of information. Data can also be collected through targeted interviews, group discussions, or data/documentation analysis. The Task Force considers whether to expand or modify these approaches each year to fit priorities and capacity.

3. Implement, Analyze and Report: Data are collected in line with the identified information needs, per the determined methods. Data are analyzed to identify common themes that include areas of strength, challenges, and suggestions for improvement. The results are described in an annual Self-Assessment report and shared with partners including Policy Council and families, PSESD Early Learning staff, subcontractor leaders and their staff, and the broader community. PSESD collects partner input to inform an improvement plan, which is written and shared with all funding agencies.

Self Assessment Report 2016-2017

Self Assessment Report 2017-2018

Community Assessment

Annual Reports

Research

To collaborate on a research project with the PSESD Early Learning program, follow the steps below:

Send a written description of the project to the PSESD Executive Director of Strategy, Evaluation and Learning. Include a cover letter that addresses how the project will meet the criteria for participation as outlined in the Research Policy and a completed Research Project Questionnaire.
The Executive Director of Strategy, Evaluation and Learning will do a preliminary assessment of the research proposal.
For proposals that do not include direct interaction with children, families, or staff (such as requests for existing data that has already been collected), the PSESD Executive Director of Early Learning, and PSESD Strategy, Evaluation and Learning team will decide about the program’s participation.
For proposals that do include direct interaction with children, families, or staff (such as original data collection), the PSESD Strategy, Evaluation and Learning team, Early Learning staff, and Policy Council Leadership Team will review the proposal and make a recommendation to the Policy Council on participation in the project.
If the recommendation to the Policy Council supports the program’s participation, a proposal outlining the participation (staff, budget, etc.) will be presented, including an outline of how it met research criteria.
If the research proposal deadline does not fit with Policy Council meeting timelines, the Policy Council Leadership Team will make a tentative decision on participation and the decision will be brought to the next Policy Council for approval or disapproval.

Fourteen days prior to publication or release of research results, the individuals or organizations collaborating with PSESD Early Learning on the research project will provide the participating program with the results.