"When you have collaboration among childcare, Head Start and school districts, you have a better road for quality care and understanding."
- Ellen L. Collins

What SPARK MS Does for SCHOOLS and EDUCATORS

For Schools

  • Helps elementary teachers to meet the academic needs of students
  • Aligns education curriculum and standards with one another for cohesive evaluations
  • Mediates in parent/teacher conferences through SPARK Learning Advocates
  • Provides joint professional development opportunities for early education providers in child care, Head Start and public schools
  • Evaluates and provides resources and funding

Teachers take part in professional development designed to support early literacy, individualized instruction and use of MS Department of Education’s Early Learning Guidelines.

For Early Childhood Educators:

  • Equips parents to share teaching responsibilities
  • Provides individualized instruction and support for children struggling in reading

SPARK offers professional development, Learning Advocates and resources to participating child care centers, Head Start Centers, family day care homes and public Pre-K programs to not only improve instruction but to connect learning between home and school.