Harrison Preschool is being celebrated for its recent high-performing evaluation by the Arkansas Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE). This distinction was recently highlighted by the Harrison School District Board of Education, which formally recognized Preschool Coordinator Jenny Cowling and her staff for their commitment to excellence.
The evaluation was conducted using the CLASS (Classroom Assessment Scoring System), a research-based tool that measures the effectiveness of teacher-student interactions. Unlike traditional assessments that focus on facilities or materials, the CLASS system looks at three critical domains:
Emotional Support: Creating a warm, nurturing environment for students.
Classroom Organization: Managing time and behavior to maximize learning.
Instructional Support: Using high-level dialogue to expand children’s thinking.
Harrison Preschool achieved elite "High-Range" marks in the domains of Emotional Support and Classroom Organization. Most notably, the preschool earned a 4.67 in Instructional Support—a standout achievement that signifies exceptional performance. To put that in perspective, Harrison’s score stands nearly double the most recent national average of 2.94. These high-performing results are a significant indicator of a top-tier program; research consistently shows that these specific, high-level teacher-child interactions are the primary drivers of student success later in life.
"The consistency required to attain these scores is a testament to the professionalism of our staff," stated Dr. Stewart Pratt, Superintendent of Schools. "This recognition by the state and our Board of Education confirms what our parents already know: Harrison Preschool is a leader in early childhood development."
Please join us in congratulating Mrs. Cowling and the entire preschool team for their continued dedication to the Harrison community and its youngest students.