The Institute

Implementing Universal PreKindergarten

October 9-10 and November 6-7, 2023

The Center for District Innovation and Leadership in Early Education (DIAL EE) and our partners are offering an engaging, hands-on, collaborative experience for California school district teams to develop a comprehensive early education strategy.

Join us for a multi-day convening to

Hear from and engage with experts across California’s various Universal Prekindergarten (UPK) initiatives on topics important to planning and implementing early education in the school district
Strengthen comprehensive implementation plan that is aligned to CDE’s UPK Planning and Implementation Grant requirements.

DIAL EE Fellows at a meeting intently listening.

What’s unique about this convening?

Designed by California early education district leaders who are part of the DIAL EE Fellows
District leadership teams will explore the core tenets of early education and create a shared purpose
Differentiated content based on district context and individual roles related to early education (e.g., early education, human resources, curriculum and instruction, fiscal, special education, expanded learning, etc.)
Individualized district data packets to support governance and leadership toward planning and implementation
4 days of content in October and November, and up to 3 hours of dedicated and focused facilitation in December 2023 for each district leadership team
District teams will be organized around specific initiatives in early education, such as inclusion, community schools, and expanded learning

Who should attend?

District leadership teams made up of individuals who are key decision-makers with a role in planning and implementing various components of UPK, with at least one individual who is directly responsible for early education and at least one individual in cabinet or higher (e.g., superintendent, deputy superintendent, assistant superintendent, or board member). Team members may include representatives from departments/divisions such as early learning, expanded learning, special education, curriculum & instruction, assessment, professional development, human resources, fiscal/budget, and operations, as well as community partnerships (e.g., Head Start and community child care providers, service providers, Local Planning Council, and others).

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Agenda at a Glance

Monday, October 9, 2023

Tuesday, October 10, 2023

Monday, November 6, 2023

8:00 – 9:00 AM | Breakfast
9:00 – 9:30 AM | Opening Activity
9:30 – 12:30 PM | Concurrent Sessions
LUNCH
1:30 – 5:00 PM | Concurrent Sessions

Tuesday, November 7, 2023

8:00 – 9:00 AM | Breakfast
9:00 – 12:30 PM | Concurrent Sessions
LUNCH
1:30 – 2:30 PM | Panel Discussion
2:30 – 3:30 PM | Facilitated Team Meetings

Keynote Speaker

Dr. Brian L. Wright

Associate Professor and Program Coordinator of Early Childhood Education

University of Memphis

Brian L. Wright, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor, Program Coordinator of Early Childhood Education in the Department of Instruction & Curriculum Leadership in the College of Education & Coordinator of the Middle School Cohort of the African American Male Academy at the University of Memphis. He teaches undergraduate- and graduate-level courses that include, but are not limited to, culture and learning, indigenous and decolonized philosophies/epistemologies, critical pedagogies, and masculinities in urban schools. His research examines high-achieving African American boys in urban schools (P-12), racial-ethnic identity development of boys, STEM and African American boys (P-12), African American males as early childhood teachers, and teacher identity development. He has published articles in Urban Education, Theory Into Practice, and The Journal of Negro Education, to name a few. He has co-authored articles that have appeared in Young Children, Teaching Young Children, EXCHANGE, Childhood Explorer, Gifted Child Today, Handbook on Gifted Education, Psychology Forum, Journal of African American Males in Education, Boyhood Studies & others. He is the author, co-author, and editor of four books, of which two are award-winning (2018 NAME Philip C. Chinn Book Award), bestseller book, The Brilliance of Black Boys: Cultivating School Success in the Early Grades (2018 –publisher: Teachers College Press, Columbia University), and co-editor and author of the award-winning book Developmentally Appropriate Practice in Early Childhood Programs Serving Children from Birth Through Age 8, Fourth Edition.

Sessions

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why types of funds can be used to attend the Institute?
UPK planning funds or other district identified resources can be used for the Institute registration and travel fees.

Who should attend?
District leadership teams made up of individuals who are key decision-makers with a role in planning and implementing various components of UPK, with at least one individual who is directly responsible for early education and at least one individual in cabinet or higher (e.g., superintendent, deputy superintendent, assistant superintendent, or board member). Team members may include representatives from departments/divisions such as early learning, expanded learning, special education, curriculum & instruction, assessment, professional development, human resources, fiscal/budget, and operations, as well as community partnerships (e.g., Head Start and community child care providers, service providers, Local Planning Council, and others).

How should we identify the right people to attend?
If you are not sure, we can help you identify key individuals from your district.

Is there a minimum number of individuals to a team?
Yes. There is a minimum of two people to be considered a team.

Is space limited?
Yes. Limited team spaces are available.

Why is DIAL EE organizing the Institute?
At this moment, school districts have great opportunities to implement a number of initiatives that, if aligned and systemized, can have far-reaching impacts on student and community success. Districts looking to expand TK, strengthen preschool, re-envision inclusion and multilingual supports, create behavioral health models, increase access to expanded learning programs, and more need time, resources, and support to pull it all together in ways that are thoughtful, innovative, and efficient. DIAL EE and its partners are organizing the Institute: Implementing Universal PreKindergarten to support California school districts to develop a comprehensive early education strategy that is tailored to their context yet informed by a shared vision and goals.