PULL-OUT: Are You Ready for the NRS?

Take a look at these items and think about the status of your program and its readiness for the National Reporting System. Programs are likely to be at different points. For those items you've marked "in progress" or "not yet," continue to work on them! Be sure to celebrate your "definite" achievements! by Michele Plutro

	Definitely	In progress	Not yet
We use a comprehensive, written curriculum as defined in the Head Start Program Performance Standards, and we.
- effectively implement the curriculum in daily practice
- include learning experiences designed to support the eight developmental domains of the Head Start Child Outcomes Framework, including the 13 Congressionally mandated early language, literacy, and math outcomes
- inform other staff and parents about the curriculum goals and approach

	Definitely	In progress	Not yet
We implement a well-defined, clearly understood system for child screening, and we.
- use a standardized, valid, reliable tool( s) for screening
- complete screenings within 45 days of enrollment
- make timely referrals, as necessary, based upon screening results

	Definitely	In progress	Not yet
We use a systematic approach for ongoing observation and assessment of children's progress, and we.
- understand the difference between screening and ongoing assessment
- use appropriate tool( s) that are compatible with our curriculum
- follow all required procedures of the system
- track the progress of children in all eight developmental domains of the Child Outcomes Framework and as reflected in the Program Performance Standards
- include assessment of child progress in the 13 Congressionally mandated areas
- plan and implement group and individual curriculum experiences based upon changing knowledge of the children's development and progress
- work with parents as partners to individualize their child's learning and share information on their child's progress

	Definitely	In progress	Not yet
We comply with all requirements outlined in IM-18 and related to the 1998 Congressional requirements for program accountability for child outcomes, and we.
- take the information from our ongoing child assessment system (and other sources) at least three times a year in order to look at the progress of groups of children and at the progress and outcomes program-wide
- study and analyze evidence from all sources as part of our program self-assessment process
- use the information from our local child assessment of outcomes and from our program self-assessment to improve our program
- share "how our children are doing" reports with staff, parents, the Policy Council, the governing body and others in the community

	Definitely	In progress	Not yet
We understand that the National Reporting System (NRS) supports the requirements of the 1998 Head Start Act and President Bush's Good Start, Grow Smart initiative, and we.
- understand that the NRS will add to the national picture of Head Start that includes information from the PRISM program monitoring, the PIR, and ongoing research such as FACES and the IMPACT Study
- know that the NRS will NOT replace our local ongoing assessment or local outcomes reporting
- understand that children with disabilities will be included in the NRS and that, when necessary, accommodations will be made
- understand that English Language Learners will be included in the NRS
- know that local programs will be responsible for assessing the children on the NRS items

	Definitely	In progress	Not yet
We are taking leadership in this new effort to strengthen Head Start, and we.
- are committed to training our staff and to providing ongoing support as they prepare for and implement the NRS
- are prepared to inform staff, parents, the Policy Council, the governing body, and others in the community about the NRS
- are looking forward to using the NRS as another management tool to improve our program
- know that change can be challenging and that it also means opportunity-we are positive and ready to move ahead!

Michele Plutro is Staff Assistant and Education Specialist, Head Start Bureau. T: 202-205-8912; E: mplutro@acf.hhs.gov Thanks to Marce Verzaro-O'Brien, Director, Region IV, Quality Improvement Center for her earlier writing in the area of child assessment.