Early Learning Case Study: West Valley School District #208

The West Valley Pre-K Initiative began in the fall of 2011 when Dr. Mike Brophy joined the District as superintendent. The District has used the framework by Sullivan-Dudzic, Gearns, and Leavall (2011) to organize the work.

Step One: Establish Need and Common Interests
Step Two: Locate and Connect with Early Childhood Learning Environments
Step Three: Develop a Leadership Team
Step Four: Provide High-Quality Professional Development
Step Five: Connect and Align Quality Pre K to Kindergarten
Step Six: Maximize the Benefits of Full-Day Kindergarten
Step Seven: Align and Connect a Strong Full-Day Kindergarten with grades 1-3
Step Eight: Conquer the Fade Out
Step Nine: Create a Sustainable System of Support
Step Ten: Review, Revise, and Extend

The Pre-K Initiative started with six or seven people in a little shed behind the district office. But it was the right six or seven people! As the initiative grew, Dr. Brophy asked Assistant Superintendent, Dr. Peter Finch, to lead the effort.