Listening to People Across Community to better understand the needs

• Rural Bedroom Community near Aspen, CO• Small towns of less than 10,000 people• Big increase in Latino population over 10 years• Many feel isolated & unwelcome in schools • Less than 1% children attend preschool• Transportation barriers• Language & cultural barriers

Slide 1

3 Mobile Preschool Buses “El Busesito”GOAL: Improve school readiness &

elementary school achievement

8 Kids:Two Teachers. 2.5 hour class, twice/week. 96 Students/year, Monthly Parent Meetings.

Slide 2

Parent Mentor Program

• Train Latino Parents to Volunteer in Classroom• Commitment to two hours/day, five days/week

includes weekly training for whole school year.• Intensive training, goal setting in August• Break down cultural barriers • Personal growth• Provides key support to

Monolingual Latino kids

Slide 3

OUTCOMESEL BUSESITO Improves school readiness prior to

Kindergarten and identifies kids with special needs much earlier. Able to prioritize highest need 4 year olds.

PARENT MENTORS• Parents become engaged in school.• Parents learn to set goals

& learn English quickly.

% Exceeding Expectations

Slide 4*Teaching Strategies Gold Assessment Data

LESSONS LEARNED – NEXT STEPSTWO – GENERATION APPROACH WORKS

LISTEN CAREFULLY BEFORE PROGRAM DESIGN

LISTEN to PARTICIPANTS and STAFF

• Respond with changes as needed e.g.:

• Expanded El Busesito preschool classes from 90 minutes to 2.5 hours.

• Created Adult Basic Education in Spanish

• Expansion of Healthy Eating & Better Access to Low Cost HealthcareSlide 5