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Pre-K Now National Conference Calls
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Monthly discussions of advocacy and policy initiatives to secure voluntary, high-quality pre-kindergarten programs for all three and four year olds
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Unlikely Allies: Engaging New Partners in Pre-K
On our February 2008 call, we discussed the importance of engaging diverse and unique voices such as law enforcement leaders, health care professionals, and seniors. Dina Lieser of Docs for Tots, Donna Butts of Generations United, and Jeff Kirsch of Fight Crime: Invest in Kids shared effective ways to involve these respected constituent groups in pre-k advocacy campaigns. Sara Watson of The Pew Center on the States moderated the call.
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Communicating Pre-K: Influencing Platforms, Policies, and Pundits
On our December 2007 call, we discussed non-partisan communications strategies that can make early education a top issue for voters, candidates, reporters, and more. Two strategists with national campaign experience - Paul Begala and Mark McKinnon - shared their ideas, advice, and answers to listeners' questions on pre-k messaging tailored for the opportunities in 2008. Adam Shapiro of Widmeyer Communications moderated the call.
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Policies and Programs for Zero-to-Five Systems
On our November 2007 call, we discussed approaches states can take to ensure that all young children have access to education, health, and family support services that are coordinated, affordable, and high-quality. Libby Doggett of Pre-K Now, Matthew Melmed of ZERO TO THREE, and early childhood consultant Carolyn Cobb shared research and successful practices from a joint study of the journeys toward comprehensive early childhood systems in five states: California, Illinois, North Carolina, Oklahoma, and Pennsylvania.
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Family Involvement Inside and Outside the Classroom
On our October 2007 call, we discussed strategies for engaging parents and other family members in pre-k programs - a key element of high quality. Alicia Narvaez of the Virtual Pre-K Initiative and Bev Raimondo with the Commonwealth Institute for Parent leadership presented research-based methods for effectively increasing family involvement and creating support structures to keep family members involved over time.
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Building Pre-K Accountability
On our September 2007 call, we discussed the best mechanisms for ensuring that pre-k programs provide the high-quality services and school-readiness results advocates have promised. Three members of the National Early Childhood Accountability Task Force - Eugene Garcia, Sharon Lynn Kagan, and Tom Schultz - presented findings from their two-year study of early education evaluation and assessment systems.
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Advances in Professional Development
On our July 2007 call, we discussed policies and models for developing a high-quality workforce of pre-k teachers and early childhood professionals. The National Council of La Raza's Miriam Calderon spoke of strategies to develop a diverse workforce capable of teaching young English Language Learners. Sue Russell of the Child Care Services Association, described T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood and other initiatives to improve the qualifications of early educators. Marilou Hyson of the National Association for the Education of Young Children concluded with a presentation on NAEYC's accreditation system for early childhood degree programs, in particular those offered through community colleges. Marcy Whitebook of the Center for the Study of Child Care Employment facilitated the discussion.
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Child Care and Pre-K Collaboration
On our May 2007 call, we discussed the needs of pre-k providers in child care settings and the national, state, and local policies required to address these needs. Helen Blank of the National Women's Law Center spoke generally about the support and funding needs of child care centers that provide pre-k as one of a range of services. Sara Moleski-Rice and David Linsmeier each spoke as providers: Moleski-Rice in her role with The Learning Care Group; and Linsmeier as Executive Director of the Wisconsin-based Mary Linsmeier Schools. Erik Karolak of The Early Care and Education Consortium facilitated the discussion.
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Benchmarks of High-Quality Pre-K
On our May 2007 call, we discussed the key ingredients of high-quality pre-kindergarten programs and how they can be achieved and maintained. Bob Pianta and Barbara Bowman each spoke on research into the quality factors proven to impact and improve outcomes for children in pre-k. Kim Means of the National Association for the Education of Young Children moderated the call and outlined her organization's accreditation system and advocacy for high-quality programs.
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Leadership Matters: Governors' Pre-K Proposals
On our April 2007 call, we discussed findings and analysis from Pre-K Now's annual report on governors' pre-k budget and policy proposals, "Leadership Matters." Top aides to Gov. Mike Beebe (Ark.) and Gov. Kathleen Babineaux Blanco (La.) spoke about gubernatorial leadership and what it has meant to pre-k programs in their states. The call was moderated by Elliot Regenstein, co-chair of the Illinois Early Learning Council and a former policy aide to Gov. Rod Blagojevich.
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Current Research in Pre-K
On our March 2007 call, we discussed recent studies of the benefits of high-quality pre-k with experts who are conducting research in this area. Arthur Reynolds of the University of Minnesota presented an overview of his research, including the ongoing work of the highly-respected Chicago Longitudinal Study. Linda Espinosa of the University of Missouri-Columbia explained findings from her research, particularly as it relates to dual language children and her role on the National Task Force on Early Childhood Education for Hispanics. The call was moderated by Ellen Frede, co-director of the National Institute for Early Education Research.
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