Learning Labs Toolkits
The W.K. Kellogg Foundation Learning Labs has executed a strategic plan to gather, develop, and disseminate lessons learned and programmatic information into online toolkits with each one serving as a collection of resources that help a user solve a problem, accomplish a task, or influence an outcome relating to a well-defined theme or topic in early learning. Content-specific toolkits have been developed in draft form containing news items, blogs, videos, online forums, and resource documents, with ongoing development to be driven by the grantees and their partners. The primary audiences are grantee site directors and partners, but we do see the toolkits as an organic body of information that can eventually be extended to more audiences. Presently, toolkits covering the following topics are available at this site and can be accessed using the links at the right:
Implementation of Teacher Professional Development Systems
Ready Schools Florida has created a research-based, practice-centered, job-embedded professional development system that improves teacher practice within the early learning and public school system, making quality teaching available to vulnerable children. This toolkit explores how effective teacher professional development systems can be replicated. Visit the Job-embedded Masters Degree Toolkit »
Implementation of Quality Rating Improvement Systems (QRIS)
Learning Labs sites are working on a QRIS that seeks to improve quality of early learning centers across the initiative. Currently, Florida and Mississippi have operational systems; Washington and Hawai'i are developing similar models. Through the toolkit we hope to increase the number of centers included in this work to ensure that vulnerable children benefit from the system. Visit the Quality Rating Improvement Systems Toolkit »
Integration of Racial Equity into Existing Efforts
Learning Labs sites are deeply committed to advancing racial equity within their respective states, partnerships, and organizations and are continually examining strategies, plans, dilemmas, and approaches that will accelerate and deepen this work. Ways racial equity can become a key strategy in school transformation efforts will be explored in this toolkit. Visit the Addressing Racial Equity Toolkit »
Formation of Meaningful Learning Communities
The Learning Labs cluster of grants has successfully adopted the learning community structure in principle and practice to create a network of practitioners and leaders who are deeply engaged in the early learning movement. This toolkit presents ways to create and expand an authentic and effective learning community. Visit the Building Communities of Practice Toolkit »
Replication of Successful Grassroots Policy Initiatives
Miami-Dade Learning Labs partners have successfully passed a statewide, taxpayer-funded voluntary pre-kindergarten referendum, which reauthorized The Children's Trust with 86% public approval rate. This toolkit explores replicable strategies to build a public will campaign and create sustainable funding sources for all children. Visit the Advancing Policy and Engaging Community Toolkit »