Gold Circle of Quality

Mokena 159 has operated a State-funded Preschool For All (PFA) program for the last several years. Last year the program was reviewed ExceleRate Illinois, the state’s quality recognition and improvement system for early learning and development programs. Based on the most recent monitoring results Mokena Elementary School has achieved the Illinois State Board of Education's Gold Circle of Quality. The Gold Circle is the highest level of recognition out of four possible categories. 

ExceleRate Illinois is anchored by a set of standards that focus on early learning and development and places a high priority on instructional excellence, family services, staff qualifications, professional development, and program administration. Multiple forms of evidence are required to meet their standards. Evidence is obtained through the monitoring visits conducted through National Louis University’s contract with the Illinois State Board of Education.  During these monitoring visits, assessors collect evidence using the Early Childhood Environmental Rating Scale-Third Edition (ECERS-3) and the ISBE Compliance Checklist. Each program site is awarded an ExceleRate Circle of Quality based on its Compliance and ECERS-3 scores.

The Gold Circle of Quality recognizes programs which have demonstrated quality on all fifteen PFA standards. Gold Circle programs meet or exceed specific quality benchmarks on learning environment, instructional quality, and all program administrative standards; group size and staff/child ratios; staff qualifications; and professional development. Congratulations to our PFA teachers and assistants!!! They are:

Teachers
Emily Presnak   Cherie Stoffa   Melissa Martin

Paraprofessionals
Gina Blazek   Lynn Terrell   Karin McCutcheon

Related Service Providers
Nicole Stec   Heather Sullivan   Trish Roberts   Nancy Rodighiero

Administrative Assistant
Judy Muellerschoen