Project Description:
   
 

The Qwest Foundation provided funding to develop an online educator self-assessment and professional development planning tool, designed to provide resources to improve early childhood instruction. This funding was leveraged to receive additional grant dollars from PBS TeacherLine to foster cadres of early childhood educators in professional development coursework online. These cadre members, along with other Arizona early childhood educators, piloted the tool during the summer of 2007.Qwest continues to provide funding to support early childhood educators in Arizona . This funding supports a model whereby a lead teacher receives a stipend to support the online professional development efforts of his/her colleagues in early childhood coursework from PBS TeacherLine.

Additional Qwest Foundation dollars were also given to ASSET/Eight-ASU to create another component of the early childhood project. The Kindergartener in Progress (KIP) instrument, a kindergarten readiness tool, will be available to any caregiver, parent and their preschooler via the Internet beginning in spring 2008.

 

  Partners Include:
   
The Qwest Foundation is dedicated to enriching the lives of customers and the communities it serves. Community service is at the heart of Qwest’s heritage. It’s more than just caring; it’s a commitment to making a difference.
 
ASSET is a self-supported department of Eight/KAET public television located at Arizona State University. This organization is supported by a membership structure, as well as grants, and corporate donations. ASSET takes great pride in collaborating with business and non-profit organizations to bring the best possible curricular and professional development resources to Arizona educators.
 
As a program funded by a grant from the U.S. Department of Education, PBS TeacherLine is committed to helping educators acquire the skills they need to become—and stay—the highly qualified teachers needed to prepare students for a successful future.

 

  Qwest Provided Funding to Create:
     
  360° Early Childhood provided by Qwest:
360° Early Childhood provided by Qwest is an online educator self-assessment and professional development planning tool, designed to provide resources to improve early childhood instruction.
   
 

Kindergartener in Progress (KIP):
Kindergartener in Progress (KIP) is an interactive online kindergarten readiness tool for use by preschoolers, parents and care providers. The imaginary neighborhood called KIP Town is home to Kip, a curious giraffe who learns as he explores sites in his community. Each place he visits contains developmentally appropriate activities to prepare him for kindergarten.

The activities are based on early learning standards gathered from state and national resources.