Challenge

Research shows that the foundation for success in life begins during the critical period from birth to age 5 when 90% of brain development happens. While we know that early experiences can shape later outcomes, services and investment in these critical years are limited. California reports that only 11% of 3 year olds and 37% of 4 year olds are enrolled in its Pre-K programs. Moreover, California’s per pupil spending is only $6,325 for Pre-K versus $10,967 for elementary. Structurally, Pre-K and K-12 educational leaders struggle with parent engagement for a diverse and bilingual audience, as well as a lack of continuity in data and expectations as students move from the 0-to-5 programs into K-12 district schools.

The San Bernardino County Solution

In partnership with Footsteps2Brilliance, Ted Alejandre, San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools (SBCSS) established Vision2Read—the largest Early Learning Innovation Zone in the nation with over 20,100 square miles and more than 2 million residents. Alejandre’s vision aims to unify the critical milestones of quality Pre-K, kindergarten readiness, and third-grade reading proficiency. This transformative program is built upon:

• A multi-stakeholder partnership that includes the SBCSS Board, First 5, Head Start, and the Children’s Fund
• Parent engagement that leverages smartphones and tablets to provide universal access to bilingual early literacy apps
• Continuity of curriculum, support, and data between Pre-K and K-12
• Community-wide participation to support family engagement and student
  motivation

At the core of the Early Literacy Innovation Zone are the Footsteps2Brilliance Bilingual Early Learning Apps that include:

Implementation

SBCSS’s implementation utilizes a collective impact model that aligns agencies, community partners, and service organizations to ensure that every child in the county has access to the Footsteps2Brilliance comprehensive apps. An ongoing series of family events, home-visitation programs, libraries, and other organizations include Footsteps2Brilliance in their services. Because Footsteps2Brilliance’s
curriculum aligns to CA standards and the DRDP assessment, a first cohort of classrooms began using the program to enrich classroom instruction. Based on initial success, SBCSS plans to expand Footsteps2Brilliance to all state and county preschools within the county in the coming school year.

Birth through 3rd Grade Early Literacy Ecosystem Model

Enlisting the support of families, schools, and
community partners is at the heart of Superintendent
Alejandre’s strategic vision to create an innovative
birth through 3rd grade ecosystem. The early learning
ecosystem creates kindergarten ready students so
that school districts can provide continuous support
towards 3rd grade reading and writing proficiency.

Vision2Read Is Standards Focused

• Preschool Learning Foundations Standards
• California’s DRDP Assessment
• Head Start Child Development & Early Learning Framework
• Common Core and State Standards

Results

Demographic Data:

• Title 1 = 78%
• Hispanic or Latino = 63%
• English Learners = 23%

Leadership Testimonials

“We know that by third grade if children are
reading at grade level, they will be very
successful as they pursue their academic
goals and their career goals in the future.”
Ted Alejandre, San Bernardino County
Superintendent of Schools

“It is a game-changer for our community
because it’s allowing us to bring education
to the homes on almost any device.”
Diana Alexander, Director,
San Bernardino County Preschool Services

“Parent engagement is vitally important to a
child’s learning. By having it in English and
Spanish, parents can join along with them,
and the parents can learn English
themselves if they need to.”
Karen Scott, Executive Director,
First 5 San Bernardino

K-3 Success: Rialto USD

Among the 33 school districts in San Bernardino County, Rialto Unified School District was one of the first to catch the vision and join the partnership with Footsteps2Brilliance. Superintendent Avila leveraged
Footsteps2Brilliance to support the district’s strategic goal to have all 3rd graders reading proficiently. With a focus on improving literacy and an expectation that all Rialto K-3 students would use Footsteps2Brilliance for 15 minutes each day, 100% of Rialto’s 19 elementary schools experienced double-digit gains across 1st, 2nd, and 3rd grades.