When I changed career paths to leave academia, specifically, University of Texas Health Science Center-Houston (UTHSC) in Developmental Pediatrics, to direct product development at Hatch Early Childhood, I took with me many experiences connected to federal and statewide grants. These grants tested an intervention in targeted classroom versus standard procedure classrooms (controls). The question being, "What can be done to lessen the academic gap for children of poverty before they enter school?" Those studies had an evaluation protocol that was very rigorous. In addition, much has been learned not only from the work at UTHSCH but from other early childhood researchers in the field. Many of these researchers comprised the National Early Literacy Panel (NELP). With the knowledge of these findings and the preliminary National Early Literacy Panel report, I began a quest to develop the best possible products for early childhood classrooms.

Our company under my oversight and direction has developed the Hatch Early Reading First (ERF) Solution for your consideration as you prepare your pre-application for early April submission.

Download the Early Reading First Hatch Solution here (PDF).

The Prekindergarten teachers at Atlanta ISD in Atlanta, Texas, under the direction of Anna Parker, are making great efforts to better prepare children for kindergarten. The teachers are using the new Hatch Texas Right on Target kit which is correlated with the new Texas Prekindergarten Guidelines, Head Start child outcomes and NAEYC standards. Anna reports, “Our teachers are enjoying Right on Target. The lap cards are easy to handle and address the new Texas Prekindergarten Guidelines and outcomes. Planning is simplified and having the materials that correspond with the lesson is a time saver. All lessons and materials scaffold each other and provide large and small group activities. It is well organized and takes the guess work out of teaching.”  

This district also had two TeachSmart Learning Systems installed before the end of 2008. I am anxious to receive the feedback as they implement the system.

It is obvious that this district is making great efforts to prepare their children for kindergarten! As mentioned in my blog yesterday, we must do a better job of ensuring that opportunity for all young children.

To learn more about the Right On Target kit, visit RightOnTargetKit.com and for the TeachSmart Learning System, visit TeachSmartLearningSystem.com.