Althea Wilson
Family Services Coordinator Washtenaw Intermediate School District Ypsilanti, Michigan
Expert
Educator Development
Equity
Head Start
IL Practice
Movement Building
Place-Based
Public Policy
- Status
- Ongoing
- Makeup
- Field-building Collaborative
- Organization
- Trust for Learning
- Contact
- Lily Rosenthal, Senior Program Manager, Policy & Programs Bank Street Education Center, [email protected]
- Contact
- Liz Hartline, Director of Workforce Initiatives, Bank Street Education Center, [email protected]
- Contact
- Leo Lundholm, Network Co-Director and Head of Membership, [email protected]
The Ideal Learning Head Start Network aims to facilitate the integration of ideal learning approaches into Head Start, ensuring that children from low-income communities can access innovative, holistic, and high-quality early learning experiences.
Context and Need
Access to Head Start funding plays a critical role in helping quality early learning providers reach children in underserved communities. However, for many ideal learning programs—which may use innovative program structures, curricula, and evaluation models—navigating the requirements of Head Start can be daunting. Likewise, existing Head Start providers that use conventional approaches but would like to implement ideal learning models may be dissuaded from adopting a new approach by real or perceived barriers.
It’s been beneficial and valuable to have that protected time to assess our program and agency-wide alignment with someone. It allows us to see the differences and how we all align. It’s also helpful to have colleagues to discuss professional matters within a safe and transparent space. This allows us to challenge ourselves, approach projects from different perspectives, and benefit from the insights of thought partners in the same field. It’s nice to have someone who can help us think things through a different lens or approach a big project in a new way. This kind of collaboration is very beneficial and it would be great to have more opportunities for it.
Great Lakes Community Action Partnership (OH) 2023 Coaching Cohort
Goals and Impact
The Network is a group of ideal learning providers who receive Head Start funds, either directly as grantees or indirectly as partners, and who have come together as a community of practice to provide resources, guidance, and support for programs that bridge ideal learning and Head Start. Members include providers implementing Montessori, Reggio Emilia-inspired, HighScope, and Tools of the Mind approaches. The group hosts a library of resources for providers to help with the implementation of Head Start rules and requirements, as well as using the Network’s recently published Policy Priorities to advocate on behalf of changes to the federal program that will make the program more accessible to child-centered, early learning models. For example, network partners submitted public comments supporting proposed changes to the Head Start Designation Renewal System that would make the process of re-competition more fair and transparent.
I’m really eager to learn from network members who’ve successfully transitioned from a scripted curriculum to one more aligned with the values and ideal learning principles of our network. Given that many of us on this call are trying to make that shift, it will be nice to have people who have walked that walk already share what they have learned so far. I believe there’s a wealth of shared experiences and learnings we can draw upon during our meetings.
Dana Hilbert, Curr & Inclus. Coord.; Tulsa Educare
What We Do
The ILHSN builds and strengthens ideal learning champions through a variety of opportunities for connecting, learning, and support, guided by our Theory of Change.
-
- Implementing TOC
How We Do It
Every summer for the past two years, the Ideal Learning Head Start Network (ILHSN) has come together for our annual convenings, creating a dynamic space for collaborative learning, networking, and innovation in early education. These gatherings have brought together over 30 thought leaders and innovators, providing an incredible platform for exchanging ideas, addressing challenges, and developing effective solutions within the Head Start community. The convenings have been instrumental in strengthening relationships across the network, facilitating the sharing of expertise, and transforming challenges into opportunities for systemic change.
In both the 2024 and 2023 convenings, the ILHSN focused on turning pressing issues into actionable research goals, emphasizing a proactive approach to systemic change. These efforts continue to influence policy, practice, and evaluation within the Head Start community.
The network also holds virtual monthly meetings on the 3rd Tuesday of the month from 11:00 am to 12:15 p.m. Eastern, capturing our times together in storytelling memos. The network also convenes an annual in-person meeting every summer in July, with travel expenses sponsored by the network for active members.
-
- Jan 2024 Memo
-
- March – Oct 2023 Memos
In the Ideal Learning Head Start Network, I find a unique blend of all the different communities of practice I am part of. This is the only place where everyone speaks the languages we use in our organizations, understanding the struggles, challenges, and successes. It’s a network that brings everything I’m involved in together.
Ruthy Suni, Program and Disabilities Manager; Lumin Education.
JOIN US
The Head Start Network is growing and welcoming new members! Please sign up below to learn more.
