The guide defines six competencies that guide elementary school principals to deepen their own knowledge related to Pre-K–3rd grade, and to reflect that knowledge through strong school leadership. This guide provides specific suggestions for principals to become more effective and visible leaders on behalf of young children. The National P-3 Center authored this guide, in …
The National P-3 Center was invited by the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) to present on our resource, “At-Home Teaching and Learning in PreK-3rd Grade”. The webinar was held on April 21st, 2020 and was delivered to an audience of 150 NAESP members.
This document provides specific guidance related to school districts’ and elementary schools’ supports for at-home learning across the primary grades (PreK-3rd grade). This is not a compilation of e-resources. Rather, this document provides guidance about how to best support at-home learning, focusing on two fundamentals of effective teaching and learning in the early grades: child …
This Framework anchors much of the work conducted by the National P-3 Center. It is designed to address key questions facing those who are developing and implementing comprehensive P-3 approaches in their school, district, or community. The Framework is divided into eight major “buckets” or categories of effort that require alignment within and between 0-5 …
Framework for Planning, Implementing, and Evaluating P-3 Approaches Read More »
In 2012, the National P-3 Center embarked on an innovative endeavor to increase the capacity in local school districts and communities around the state of Washington to implement high-quality P-3 (Pre-school through 3rd grade) reforms. With generous funding from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, in February 2014, the Washington P-3 Executive Leadership Certificate Program …
The Framework in Action series expands on the Framework for Planning, Implementing, and Evaluating P-3 Approaches and provides brief research reviews, practical strategies, and guidance for creating meaningful and tangible change in communities. Each Framework in Action corresponds with one of the eight buckets of alignment effort identified as essential to high-quality and comprehensive P-3 …
Framework in Action: Administrator Effectiveness Read More »
This brief presents the argument that while staffing and hiring decisions are complex and tradeoffs need to be considered, principals should be careful not to undervalue the early elementary grades, inclusive of PreK, because the foundational skills built in these years are imperative to students’ future success in school and in life.
Research suggests that play, particularly up through 3rd grade, has become less prevalent in classrooms. The authors argue that with greater knowledge of child development and appropriate practices, principals would be more likely to understand that scaffolded play can and does lead to learning. In this brief, they conclude that principals who know best practices in …
A False Dichotomy: Elementary Principals on Academics and Play Read More »
In order for elementary school principals to be effective early education leaders, they must establish a PreK-3rd grade culture and continuum within their schools; build relationships with families and other community early education providers; and ensure effective, developmentally-appropriate teaching and assessment within their schools. Further, to ensure that principals are knowledgeable about the unique nature of …
To effectively oversee PreK through 3rd grade teachers and classrooms, principals need to have an understanding of child development and how young children learn. This brief concludes that by incorporating early childhood content into preparation programs for new principals, and by providing ongoing professional development for existing principals, policymakers could help to ensure that elementary school …
Leading for the Early Years: Principals’ Reflections on the Need for Better Preparation Read More »
