The ISBE Recognizes SD170’s Early Childhood Program as Excellent

The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) recently announced that the Early Childhood Program of Chicago Heights School District 170 had received Gold Circle of Quality recognition.

The SD170 program, with sites at Highland and Washington-McKinley Schools, was one of 142 public school-based early childhood programs that received the honor.

"I am proud that the ISBE has recognized our team's contribution and success in the early childhood community," said Brandi Robinson-Harvey, the Principal at Highland School.

"This notable recognition highlights the success of our mission to work collaboratively with families in creating a superb learning environment that prepares students for kindergarten."

Teacher Kelly Jacobson added to Robinson-Harvey's thoughts.

"I enjoy setting up the classroom to ensure an enriching environment for students to learn," Jacobson said.

"I love to provide a positive first school experience, full of fun, joy, and learning."

Gold Circle of Quality recognized programs have met the highest standards for quality in three areas: learning environment and teaching, administration, and training and education, and are actively engaged in continuous quality improvement.

The ISBE bases Gold Circle recognition upon data from ExceleRate Illinois, the state's system for supporting continuous improvement among early learning providers.

ExceleRate Illinois gives each program a designation of Gold, Silver, or Bronze based on the information collected.

"We are most gratified that the Illinois State Board has recognized the excellence of our district's Early Childhood Program," said Mary Kay Entsminger, CHSD170's Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction.

"Our district is committed to creating and maintaining an early childhood program that facilitates cognitive learning experiences, increases academic skills, and provides social and emotional development experiences that are vitally important to future scholastic success."

The CHSD170 Early Childhood Program is under the purview of Jill Raymond, Assistant Superintendent of Special Services, who appended to Entsminger's thoughts, saying,

"District 170 has been providing early intervention services to our students who are at risk and who have disabilities, for decades."

"Our Early Childhood Programs allow children in our community, between the ages of 3 and 5 years old, to have early exposure to academic readiness, socialization, and language development skills that serve as a foundation for success throughout their extended school career."

"We are proud to have dedicated staff members and involved parents who have cultivated a partnership to support the growth and development of our youngest students, and are elated that the ISBE has recognized their efforts!" Raymond said.

Illinois has made historic investments in early childhood services, increasing appropriations for the Early Childhood Block Grant, which serves children from birth to age 5, by $50 million for a total of $543.7 million in FY 2020.

"Early childhood education is the foundation for our children's future, and these outstanding early learning providers are the gold standard," said Governor JB Pritzker.

"With a record $50 million increase in the Early Childhood Block Grant and $100 million to build and repair childcare centers and pre-schools, we're making real strides to make Illinois a national leader in early childhood education and improve outcomes for thousands of children."

"I've been committed to improving early childhood education for decades because every child deserves high-quality care from their youngest days," the governor concluded.

Illinois State Superintendent of Education Dr. Carmen I. Ayala continued Pritzker's endorsement of the importance of early childhood programs.

"High-quality early childhood services prepare students for success throughout their educational careers," Ayala said.

"Schools across the state are improving the quality of their early childhood programs thanks to increased funding and support," he continued.

"The ISBE congratulates all of these sites on their dedication to supporting our youngest learners."