LISD trustees back kindergarten prep program
By LISA CARNLEY Staff Writer

Kindergarten can be a challenging time in a child's life: being away from parents for the first time, mingling with other children, and learning and experiencing new things.

The 76th Texas Legislature concluded that youngsters entering kindergarten must be prepared for many of the obstacles they may face as they start their education. And what better way to ready students for kindergarten than to start them off early -- in prekindergarten.

To that end, the 78th Texas Legislature approved the Texas Early Education Model to implement the integration of early care and early education services for preschool children.

Lampasas Independent School District serves as the lead agency for the Lampasas TEEM Community and works with other independent school districts, Head Start programs and faith-based prekindergarten programs.

Participants with the LISD include First Baptist Church Kindergarten in Lampasas and Head Start in Lampasas, Gatesville, Hamilton and San Saba.

Local coordinator Mary McNulty is the facilitator and mentor. She provides integration of services to area teachers.

The state pays for all materials, teacher training and the mentor's salary. After teachers are trained and the program is fully implemented, the LISD should only have to cover the cost of normal classroom expenses, said Nelda Fortune, Lampasas ISD assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction.

What also makes the TEEM program costeffective is that participating programs can share services such as progress monitoring, classroom materials, food service, classroom space, transportation and participation in professional development.

The program focuses on the needs of preschool children and assists them to develop an awareness of phonology, letter recognition and numbers awareness. It also helps students develop an appreciation for books, understanding vocabulary and using language to communicate. Skills will follow the new state prekindergarten guidelines.

The program calls for teachers to develop and implement up-to-date lesson plans and a daily schedule with three hours of cognitive instruction.

Teachers attend professional development after school hours, and those who attend at least 80 percent of all sessions receive an incentive check of $1,000.

"We expect student achievement to be enhanced as a result of the TEEM readiness program," said Mrs. Fortune. "It should help students be able to start school and experience success."

The goal for the TEEM project is to have all 3- and 4-year-old students ready at the start of their public school experience, said Ms. McNulty.

Partner programs are certified by the Texas Education Agency to acknowledge their facilities are state-approved to educate children in preparation for kindergarten.

Ms. McNulty said the program also serves special-needs children through plans individualized to meet their educational needs.

"I am really excited about this TEEM approach. It is so important to have our children ready when they get to kindergarten. This will be a benefit for everyone."

The coordinator said several other rural schools are poised to join the program.

"We hope to reach out to more rural communities. There is a large population of at-risk kids who can be served."

Ms. McNulty said students will be tracked for progress through their kindergarten year, and adjustments to the program then can be made to suit a partner's needs.