If we want to turn around the education system in the United States, we need to make sure our children have the foundation necessary to be successful in school. We hear over and over again that children are entering the school system without the basic tools they need to begin the learning process. Many parents cannot afford quality day care for their children, nevermind pay for preschool. This is no longer 'only' a class system, is has become a critical situation we can no longer ignore. By providing early childhood education nationwide we will benefit everyone by helping more of our youngsters start school ready to learn while freeing up parents to work without having to incur the expense of daycare which they often cannot manage.
Secretary of Education Arne Duncan is throwing his support behind a new initiative called Early Childhood Nation. “A coalition of mayors and brain scientists are trying to get the U.S. government to make early childhood education both a priority and a right in America. This [Early Childhood Nation] is just one of the many initiatives rolled out at the 82nd Annual U.S. Conference of Mayors meeting this week in Dallas. http://www.thetakeaway.org/story/education-sec-arne-duncan-discusses-future-learning/
This initiative is being funded by the Bezos Family Foundation. From their website, “Drawing from the latest findings in applied research and advances in neuroscience, we support innovative programs with promising evidence that provide a direct benefit to young children and invest in lasting support systems for parents and caregivers, including communications and public awareness efforts. http://bezosfamilyfoundation.org/early-learningThe Bezos family not only supports early childhood education but education through high school. All of their efforts are grounded in research. "Through investment in research public awareness and programs, the foundations works to elevate the field of education and improve the life outcomes for all children."
They also have a strong civic and community awareness component, something that is sorely needed if we are to continue to live in a democratic society.
Or we can take a page out of the Finnish playbook:
"In Finland, school readiness means that the school has to be ready to receive, welcome, and help all children. Compared to here where 4, 5, 6 year olds are expected to meet standards before they are considered “ready” for school. Most parents in Finland are not at all concerned about kids’ academic performance. We are concerned about friendships, if they are happy, what their interests are."
http://www.citizensforpublicschools.org/finnish-lessons-what-we-learned-from-pasi-sahlberg/
Through
investments in research, public awareness and programs, the foundation
works to elevate the field of education and improve life outcomes for
all children. - See more at:
http://bezosfamilyfoundation.org/about-us#sthash.dH3zbBoJ.dpuf
Students
Rebuild is a collaborative program of the Bezos Family Foundation that
mobilizes young people to connect, learn and take action on critical
global issues. Our current Water Challenge, in partnership with charity:
water and Global Nomads Group, will help to bring clean, safe drinking
water to schools and communities in Tanzania. - See more at:
http://www.bezosfamilyfoundation.org/students-rebuild#sthash.02hFuU1Z.dpuf
Students
Rebuild is a collaborative program of the Bezos Family Foundation that
mobilizes young people to connect, learn and take action on critical
global issues. Our current Water Challenge, in partnership with charity:
water and Global Nomads Group, will help to bring clean, safe drinking
water to schools and communities in Tanzania. - See more at:
http://www.bezosfamilyfoundation.org/students-rebuild#sthash.02hFuU1Z.dpuf
Students
Rebuild is a collaborative program of the Bezos Family Foundation that
mobilizes young people to connect, learn and take action on critical
global issues. Our current Water Challenge, in partnership with charity:
water and Global Nomads Group, will help to bring clean, safe drinking
water to schools and communities in Tanzania. - See more at:
http://www.bezosfamilyfoundation.org/students-rebuild#sthash.02hFuU1Z.dpuf
We
support rigorous, inspired learning environments for young people to
put their education into action. Our investments along a continuum from
birth through high school aim to elevate the field of education and
improve life outcomes for all children. - See more at:
http://www.bezosfamilyfoundation.org/#sthash.Hb94A5Tg.dpuf
We
support rigorous, inspired learning environments for young people to
put their education into action. Our investments along a continuum from
birth through high school aim to elevate the field of education and
improve life outcomes for all children. - See more at:
http://www.bezosfamilyfoundation.org/#sthash.Hb94A5Tg.dpuf
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