Tools

A young child pretends to fix a play structure while using a toy hammer

Oakland Starting Smart and Strong works in partnership with early childhood stakeholders to create practical and user-friendly materials and tools that support high quality early childhood experiences.

This page shares tools OSSS has created for educators, caregivers, community members and advocates.

Promising Practices for Boys of Color

4 boys stand on top of a blue play structure, smiling with their arms around each other

Photo credit: Unity Council

10 Promising Practices in Early Learning for Black Boys: Action Toolkit: Materials and tips for improving early learning outcomes for Black boy

Promising Practices Portfolio: Strategies for Supporting Boys of Color and their Families for Improved Early Years Outcomes

Early Development Instrument

Young girl jumps up to toss a ball through a standing hoop

Early Development Index: Oakland: The Early Development Instrument (EDI) allows communities like Oakland to explore, from a neighborhood level, children’s strengths, and the challenges they face both pre-kindergarten and once they enter school

Data Profiles

Three young children stand outside, one of them claps their hands and a fourth child rides a bike in the background

Data Profile of Young Children in Oakland: This profile highlights critical data relevant to the well-being of young children 0-5 in Oakland, their families and educators. Download pdf version here.

Resilient Oakland Communities & Kids

Two young boys play together at the top of a slide with foam tiles

ROCK Trigger Assessment Tool (English / Spanish): Tool used as part of the ROCK trauma informed professional development series to help teachers and staff identify triggers in their teaching practice

ROCK Trauma Responsive Classroom Strategies (English/Spanish): Strategies for creating trauma-responsive classrooms

Preschool Experience Map and Dashboard

Young child plays with toys outside on a sunny day

Preschool Experience Study Map and Dashboard: A map and dashboard summarizing the experience of OUSD Kindergartener/Transitional Kindergarteners by income, ethnicity, and school. Author(s): Oakland Unified School District (OUSD), 2018-2019 -- Updated data coming this fall!