3. Definitions & Abbreviations

Definitions

• Dual language learners: A child, birth to age eight, who is in the process of learning English in addition to her or his native language(s).
• Early care and education (ECE): Nonparental care for children from birth to third grade that occurs outside of a child’s home.
• Early childhood educators: Adults who work for pay with young children from birth to third grade in roles focused on teaching and caregiving.
• Early childhood settings: The various settings in which ECE is delivered to young children, including Head Start, family and center-based child care programs, public schools, and community-based organizations.
• Equity: The idea, in the words of the National Equity Project, “that each child receives what they need to develop to their full potential.”
• Head Start: The federal program established in 1965 that provides high-quality early childhood education and health, nutrition, and family engagement and support services to Americans with children between three and five years old who are living in poverty.
• High-intensity transitions activities: Transitions activities that involve individualized contact with parents, encourage teacher communication between grades/settings, and/or occur before the first day of school.
• Low-intensity transitions activities: Transitions activities that do not involve individualized contact with parents or teachers and are often one-time activities.
• Meaningful family engagement: The participation of parents and educators in regular, two-way, and meaningful communication about student academic and social learning and other activities. Family choices and goals for the child are acknowledged and responded to with sensitivity and respect.
• Mixed-delivery system: ECE programs delivered in a variety of settings, including licensed centers, family child care homes, Head Start, public schools, and community-based organizations.
• Opportunity gap: The disparity in access to quality ECE programs, schools, and the resources needed for all children to thrive socially, developmentally, and academically.
• Pre-K: Educational programs designed to serve three- and four-year-olds that occur in a variety of settings
• Transitions: A multi-year, systemic strategy that includes actions at the state and local level to support the process of children moving from one grade level or school setting to another, such as moving from parental care to pre-K to kindergarten to first grade and so on. A key focus of the transitions process is ensuring that curriculum, instruction, and assessment are aligned.

Abbreviations

• ARP: American Rescue Plan
• B-3: Birth through third grade
• CARES: Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act
• CCDBG: Child Care and Development Block Grant Act
• CCDF: Child Care Development Fund
• CRRSA: Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act
• ED: US Department of Education
• ESSA: Every Student Succeeds Act
• ESSER: Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund
• HHS: US Department of Health & Human Services
• IDEA: Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
• IEP: Individualized Education Plan
• LEA: Local educational agency
• MIECHV: Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program
• MOU/MOA: Memorandum of understanding/memorandum of agreement
• P-3: Prenatal through third grade
• PD: Professional development or professional learning
• SEA: State educational agency
• TANF: Temporary Assistance for Needy Families