MIDAS

Connect4Learning

Back

Core Code Alignment

Elementary / Early Childhood
Early Childhood (PreSchool)
22040000001: Early Childhood (Pre-K)

Recommendation

Recommended Limited

Evaluation

Connect 4 Learning is a program that is well researched, has sufficient teacher support and supplemental material. Many of the core standards are taught, but some are merely introduced and never reviewed. Many lessons do not meet the needs of students with no prior educational experience or background knowledge. The curriculum does not teach basic learning skills. Scaffolding suggestions are made, but there is not a lot of information on what to do with students who may struggle. For programs that have highly-trained and/or experienced teachers or high levels of staff support including ongoing professional development and a trained/qualified instructional coach, and access to supplementary ELA materials, this curriculum is a good option. The strong STEAM components give it value.

Educators Using These Materials

Amber Packer
Nebo District, Park School, Educator

Rubric : Generic

Content

Item	3 - Extensive	2 - Adequate	1 - Inadequate	0 - None
Alignment	The content of this resource aligns with appropriate grade-level core standards and is current, well-researched and referenced from reliable sources.	The content of this resource aligns with most grade-level core standards but will need supplementary materials to ensure coverage of all the objectives for this course.	The content of this resource aligns with a few grade-level core standards for a portion of the course.	The content of this resource does not align with standards and objectives for this course.
The program meets many of the core standards, but not all. Some standards are not reviewed. Program seems to be well researched and supported by experts in ECE STEAM. The curriculum approaches teaching and learning with a STEAM foundation. In order to meet all English Language Arts standards, teacher knowledge of ELA instruction must be at a high level. Supplementary materials are necessary for ELA. There is no traditional scope and sequence provided.
Scaffolding	Scaffolding supports for these materials are complex and challenging, engage learners from various skill levels, assist all students in enhancing conceptual understanding, and offer opportunities for students to share evidence and research.	Scaffolding supports for these materials engage learners from various skill levels and assist students in enhancing conceptual understanding.	Scaffolding supports for these materials engage learners from various skill levels.	Scaffolding supports for these materials do not engage learners.
Scaffolding for students is generally from lower level to higher level. Learners younger than 4 years old are not strongly supported and scaffolding would rely on the teacher. Includes some differentiated learning suggestions for extending the learning and supporting ELL students.
Navigation	Students can navigate the material independently. Instructions are clear and understandable.	The material contains instructions that are understandable and easy to navigate. Students may need educator support to navigate material.	The material may be used with direct educator support but lacks clear instructions.	The instructions in this material are unclear, and navigation is difficult.
The program appears easy to navigate. The organization makes sense and follows a pattern across multiple units.

Accessibility

Item	3 - Extensive	2 - Adequate	1 - Inadequate	0 - None
Physical Characteristics	The design of the material is ADA-compliant and can be utilized by all students. In physical terms, this material is durable, interactive, and provides high-quality audio-visual and tactile experiences for all users. The material contains modern, up-to-date, and relatable visuals, including diverse groups of people.	In physical terms, this material is durable, interactive, and provides high-quality audio-visual and tactile experiences for all users.	In physical terms, this material is fragile in construction, and provides limited tactile experiences for students.	In physical terms, this material is designed to be disposable and temporary.
This program provides tactile experiences for students. Digital and physical materials are quality. Program is published in English and Spanish for accessibility to bilingual teachers. Each unit manual comes spiral bound with a laminated cardstock cover. Teacher resources are on laminated cardstock and in full color.
Technical Standards	The material goes above and beyond meeting all the technical standards, ensures student data privacy is safeguarded, and can be easily installed or accessed without technical assistance. Licensing information is clearly stated in the description.	The material meets all the requirements of federal and state laws, along with the accepted technical standards (ISTE Standards and VPAT Compliance). Additional technical specifications and limitations, including hardware requirements, bandwidth demands, student data privacy, and software/ web access restrictions, are adequately noted in the description. The design of the material allows for error-free installation or access without purchasing additional components.	The material is limited by specifications requiring additional materials, technical assistance, hardware, software, or infrastructure. Student data privacy could be at risk. Resources within the material end after a trial period.	Student data privacy is at risk.
Technical requirements are met. Digital versions of this program are available. School calendars can be aligned with the digital program.
Adaptability	The material is currently relevant and adaptable for teacher and student use in individualized or group instructional settings across multiple content areas. The material can be customized for the needs of diverse learners.	The material is currently adaptable for a teacher or student to use in a limited instructional setting across a few content areas. The material can be utilized by diverse learners (not customizable).	The material has some features adaptable for students in at least one content area. The material has limited options to address the needs of diverse learners.	The material is not adaptable or easily incorporated into various educational settings or with various diverse learners.
Instructional materials are adaptable for full day or half day programs. There are opportunities for small group and large group instruction. Time allotted for different activities/lessons seem appropriate time lengths. No one-on-one teacher/student opportunities are observed. There are a variety of ideas for adjusting time frames, schedules, etc. according to program structure and student needs. Individualization is accommodated in small group lessons or during free play. The program requires teachers to have a strong understanding of incorporating learning through interaction (using teachable moments) in free play in order to attend to one-on-one instruction.

Pedagogy

Item	3 - Extensive	2 - Adequate	1 - Inadequate	0 - None
Instructional Support	The material provides multiple examples and strong support to educators of ways to deliver instruction. These may include: -Scaffolding Lesson Plans, Personalized/Differentiated Instruction, Experiential Learning, Concept Mapping, Questioning Techniques, or Family Involvement. Furthermore, this material has content that can be problem/project-based, with incorporated skills and concepts that are integrated with all disciplines equally to support student sense-making. (Transdisciplinary/ Interdisciplinary Content Integration)	The material provides some examples to educators of ways to deliver instruction. It contains a few of the following: Scaffolding Lesson Plans, Personalized/Differentiated Instruction, Experiential Learning, Concept Mapping, Questioning Techniques, or Family Involvement.	The material contains limited instructional support on using the material with diverse groups of students, various skill levels, and student needs.	The material does not provide instructional support or examples for the educator.
Supplemental resources are offered, digitally and physical purchases. Includes referenes to additional literacy components. Program offers single-time teacher training or ongoing online courses and teacher support. Programs without strong teacher support (like an instructional coach and/or collaborative teaching teams) may find adjusting to Connect 4 Learning's approach to teaching and learning. The online courses helpful but individual success may be impacted by the individual's ability to connect with and learn from online learning modules.
Supplemental Resources	The material provides a wide variety of supplemental resources that are evidence-based and are linked to real-world circumstances and current events.	The material references numerous available supplemental resources.	The material references some available supplemental resources.	The material does not refer to any supplemental resources.
Supplemental resources are available for teachers and families. Notes home are available for printing in English and Spanish. Digital resources are available for child/family use at home (extra costs). Online training offers support to teachers on family communication and family engagement. Behavior tools, computer games, transition activities, sample schedules are included.
Assessments	The material contains a variety of formative and summative assessments aligned with Utah Core Standards, Personalized Competency-Based Learning, and Universal Design for Learning. It provides appropriate intervention strategies that lead to observable performance and real-world experiences for students. The assessments are ADA-compliant.	The material contains summative assessments aligned with Utah Core Standards with few interventions and is ADA-compliant.	The material contains a limited number of assessments without intervention strategies but is ADA-compliant.	The material does not provide assessment materials.
Weekly formative assessments individually track student development in numeracy/literacy/social emotional. Training is provided online to learn how to use assessment resources. Assumptions is the formative assessments balance the need for observation of student abilty and of skill mastery. Assessments are available in print and in on online portal.

Culture of Learning and Belonging

Item	3 - Extensive	2 - Adequate	1 - Inadequate	0 - None
Bias Free	This material is free from bias and is in compliance with all relevant federal and state laws, rules, and regulations, as listed in the next “2-Adequate” section for this item. Furthermore, this material focuses on shared identity and includes the unique characteristics & cultural differences of students in Utah. (53E-4-204.1) This material supports civic and character education. (53G-10-204)	This material is neutral and is in compliance with the laws, rules, and regulations below: -It can be used by all students regardless of sex, race, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, or membership in any other protected class, such as ethnicity, or disability, as described in (R277-328). -This material supports educators to be in compliance with (53G-10-202.4), where they may not use their positions to endorse, promote, or disparage a particular religious, denominational, sectarian, agnostic, or atheistic belief or viewpoint. -The material is free from discrimination and does not support stereotyping of character traits, including hard work ethic. (53G-10-206) -It is free from advertising, e-commerce, or political interest and is in compliance with the law and community standards.	This material may be interpreted as biased. Or promoting advertising, e-commerce, or political interest. Or maybe considered to regard or treat some groups unfairly.	This material does not comply with federal and state laws, rules, and regulations. This material is biased and favors a point of view that may be distracting to the educational experience of students.
This curriculum program is bias free. All genders and races are represented in the different literature and lessons. Diversity is addressed appropriately for preschoolers. A strength in this program is the attention to diversity in STEM fields.
Cultural Awareness	This item has not been graded.

Inclusive Components	This item has not been graded.

Shared Values and Character Traits	This item has not been graded.

UTAH STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION

250 East 500 South

Salt Lake City, UT 84111-3204

Phone: 801.538.7807