Memo Text
The Division of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) is inviting schools that provide pre-kindergarten services to children the year before kindergarten the opportunity for pre-k teachers to participate in the LETRS for Early Childhood professional development course. The DESE is committed to expanding its focus on early childhood education by providing professional development focused on early literacy development that is grounded in the science of reading and aligned to the Arkansas Child Development and Early Learning Standards.
Phase II of the Pre-K R.I.S.E. Initiative includes early literacy professional development that provides in-depth knowledge and evidence based instructional strategies that can be incorporated with any comprehensive curriculum. Coaching and technical assistance will be provided to successfully implement effective foundational literacy instruction and guide our youngest students’ learning.
The LETRS for Early Childhood professional development course satisfies the Science of Reading Awareness Pathway for licensed pre-k teachers (Option 7). Each participant that successfully completes the LETRS EC professional development course work will receive a stipend of $500. Successful completion is evaluated through the knowledge gained and the intent to change instructional practice.
Registration for the LETRS for Early Childhood Educators Spring Cohorts is currently open, school leaders are encouraged to share this opportunity with pre-k staff in order to complete and submit the following registration form by December 16, 2022.
LETRS for EC Spring 2023 Cohort Registration Form
The Pre-K R.I.S.E. Initiative is a multi-year initiative and will be available to pre-k programs through the 2023-2024 program year. Schools may also access more information about the Pre-K R.I.S.E. Initiative at the prekrise.org website.