Boston Public Schools early learning strategy: uniform early math and literacy curricula, teacher training, coaches, and NAEYC accreditation support

Design · All designs
Evidence · no claims cited

Description

Boston Public Schools enlists early childhood programming in its achievement acceleration agenda by "implementing uniform mathematics and literacy programs across early learning programs and including teacher training and coaches." Under early childhood director Jason Sachs, BPS expanded full-day kindergarten to every five year old, moved 35 schools toward NAEYC accreditation, and supported Orchard Gardens, which attained accreditation for its preschool and kindergarten classrooms in 2011 with the highest scores in the district. Internal and independent studies reveal positive effects on student performance in both the short and long terms.

Design Implications

Context

Requirements

• District investment in uniform standards and curricula in math and literacy, expanded teacher training, and use of instructional coaches

Constraints

• The yearlong NAEYC accreditation process is described as rigorous and intensive

Target Learners

• Four-year-old preschoolers and kindergartners in a large urban district, including English language learners and students with disabilities

Learning Goals

• Improved early literacy and mathematics learning supporting short- and long-term achievement

Claims

Patterns Used

• Professional Development: teacher training paired with instructional coaches supports the district's uniform early math and literacy curricula

Related Designs

• District and school leaders advise making early childhood a priority and using data to make every decision in school turnaround — from the same report on integrating early learning into school turnaround

Examples

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Key Sources

• Connors-Tadros, L., Dunn, L., Martella, J., & McCauley, C. (2015). Incorporating early learning strategies in the School Improvement Grants (SIG) program: How three schools integrated early childhood strategies into school turnaround efforts to improve instruction for all students. New Brunswick, NJ: National Institute for Early Education Research. https://www.nieer.org

Page metadata

Field	Value
type	design
id	bps-early-learning-uniform-curricula-coaches-naeyc
title	Boston Public Schools early learning strategy: uniform early math and literacy curricula, teacher training, coaches, and NAEYC accreditation support
description	Boston Public Schools enlists early childhood programming in its achievement acceleration agenda by "implementing uniform mathematics and literacy programs across early learning programs and including teacher training...
status	review
generated	by process:settle-candidates on 2026-10-09
trust	unverified — no one has confirmed this page's content
sources	1 — connors-tadros-2015

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