Sacramento Head Start Alumni Association

Overview of the proposed Head Start National Reporting System

May 12, 2003

Dear Colleagues,

On June 5, 2003, from 1:00 - 4:00 EDT, via satellite broadcast and
Webcast, an overview of the proposed Head Start
National Reporting System (NRS) related to child outcomes. The NRS is
a critical component of President Bush's Good Start, Grow Smart
Initiative to enhance children's early literacy and child outcomes and builds
upon the requirements established in the 1998 Head Start Act.

This briefing and update is for Head Start directors, education
managers, other interested staff and parents, governing bodies and Policy
Council leadership of all programs, including American Indian and Alaskan
Native, and Migrant and Seasonal programs. Please join us. This
broadcast will include a video segment of some of the field-tested NRS child
assessment process; an overview of the computerized data management
system; and commentary from local programs who will share their
experiences with the NRS field testing and the related training design. There
will be a live call-in segment during which participants can have some
questions answered.

During the presentation, we will introduce plans for summer training
and the fall implementation of the NRS. Training-of-trainer meetings are
planned for seven cities during July and August 2003. All programs are
expected to participate, except Migrant and Seasonal programs, which
will be trained in the spring 2004. Each local program will be asked to
designate one or more representatives who will be responsible for
training and certifying other local staff to administer the child assessment
in English (and in Spanish when applicable) and to use the computer
system that will support the NRS. We will soon send you specific details
about the summer training and how to determine which and how many of
your staff should attend.

Enclosed you will find the necessary information to access the
satellite broadcast and Webcast. Several copies are included - share them with
others. Also included is a list of the State Collaboration Offices
who may assist you in locating satellite downlink sites.

I am confident that this broadcast will provide critical information to
support preparations for implementing the Head Start National Reporting
System planned for this fall. I look forward to working closely with
you in this meaningful endeavor.

Sincerely,


Windy M. Hill
Associate Commissioner
Head Start Bureau

Enclosures



June 5, 2003
1:00 - 4:00 pm EDT
HEAD START NATIONAL SATELLITE BROADCAST

The Head Start National Satellite Broadcast will provide a
comprehensive overview of the Head Start National Reporting System (NRS) design,
timelines, and expectations for all local Head Start programs, including
American Indian and Alaska Native programs and Migrant and Seasonal
programs. This broadcast is designed to inform Head Start directors,
managers, governing board and Policy Council leadership, and other
interested staff members and parents.

Program content will include the following:
* Demonstrations of NRS child assessment process on video,
* Review of NRS computer-based data management system,
* Presentations by a panel of local programs that participated in the
Spring 2003 NRS field test,
* Briefings on the Summer 2003 training-of-trainer meetings, including
information on Spanish sessions, and
* Responses to key concerns and questions from the field during a live
call-in segment.

For a broadcast agenda, suggestions for identifying a satellite
downlink site, and other important information regarding the June 5th Head
Start National Satellite Broadcast, please visit:
www.esilsg.org/NRStraining

Common local downlink sites for satellite broadcasts include public
libraries, community colleges, state cooperative extension services,
National Guard armories, health departments, hospitals, city government or
chamber of commerce offices, and local television stations or cable
companies. Some steerable home satellite dishes (not the newer digital
dishes) may also be able to receive the broadcast and should be tested well
in advance. Site coordinators are advised to make arrangements with
downlink sites as soon as possible and to confirm their ability to receive
the satellite signal.


SATELLITE BROADCAST INFORMATION

A test signal will be broadcast from 12:30 - 1:00 pm EDT on June 5th,
so that downlink sites may test their satellite reception.

The broadcast will air from 1:00 - 4:00 pm EDT and will reach all 50
states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico.

C-Band
TelStar 6C, Transponder 8
Orbital Position: 93 degrees (W)
Carrier: Loral
Bandwidth: 36 MHz
Downlink Frequency: 3860 MHz (H)
Audio Frequency: 6.2/6.8

Ku-Band
TelStar 6K, Transponder 11
Orbital Position: 93 degrees
Carrier: Loral
Bandwidth: 27 MHz
Downlink Frequency: 11929 MHz (V)
Audio Frequency: 6.2/6.8


WEBCAST INFORMATION

A live Webcast of the full program will be provided as an alternative
option. Viewers will need a 56k modem or faster Internet connection, as
well as Windows Media Player. For more details and to watch the Webcast
on June 5th, visit:
www.esilsg.org/NRStraining


IMPORTANT CONTACT INFORMATION

**Before June 5th**

If you have technical questions about receiving the satellite signal,
please contact Connie Day McClinton and specifically state that your
inquiry regards the June 5th Head Start satellite broadcast:
202-457-5829 or cday@interfacevideo.com

**On June 5th**

For technical questions on the day of the broadcast:
888-383-0006

For content questions regarding the National Reporting System during
the 1:00 - 4:00 pm EDT broadcast:
Call the live broadcast at 800-322-3487 from the continental U.S.,
Alaska, Hawaii, or Puerto Rico to ask your question on-air; or email
headstart@interfacevideo.com; or fax 202-785-3216.