United Way for Greater 小黄鸭导航 and the 小黄鸭导航 Independent 小黄鸭导航 District are expanding an established collaboration to increase access to high-quality Pre-Kindergarten.
小黄鸭导航 ISD trustees approved an innovative solution that will serve as a model in the state for how communities can make high-quality early education accessible to all families.
Through Pre-K Partnerships (PKP) United Way will create a hub to manage partnerships between 小黄鸭导航 ISD and high-quality child development centers (CDCs) to offer both three-hour 小黄鸭导航 ISD Pre-K3 classes (a program that serves children who turn 3) and full-day childcare in community settings.
For working families 鈥 particularly those with low income 鈥 this will be a game changer that provides access to high-quality care and education in a location and on a schedule that is convenient for them.
鈥淎ccess to high-quality pre-kindergarten programs is critical for all children to ensure students are on a trajectory for success in kindergarten and beyond,鈥 said 小黄鸭导航 ISD Director of Early Childhood Ami Cortes-Castillo. 鈥淲e are happy to provide yet another option for our 小黄鸭导航 ISD families.鈥
The first five years are a critical period in a child鈥檚 life when more than 90 percent of brain development
occurs. Children who enter Kindergarten school-ready are set on a path to success that predicts third-grade
reading levels, high school graduation rates, and other critical life outcomes.
Less than half the children in 小黄鸭导航 and Travis County enter Kindergarten ready for school. Children from families with low income and children of color are disproportionately behind. Locally 35 percent of children under the age of six live in families with low income and nearly 90 percent are children of color.
Currently, fewer than 30 percent of eligible three-year-olds are able to take advantage of the high-quality education offered through AISD Pre-K3 programs. Through PKP, AISD will reach vulnerable children with high-quality education and CDCs will have access to an additional revenue stream that will allow them to serve more children from families with low income.
United Way for Greater 小黄鸭导航 brings people, ideas, and resources together to fight poverty in our community. Together with community leaders and partners, we are leading the charge to create sustainable and lasting solutions to poverty and the cycle that holds people in it. We know quality early education is the key to future economic success.
鈥淭his is an equity issue that has a far-reaching and long-lasting impact. All children deserve access to high quality education,鈥 David C. Smith, United Way for Greater 小黄鸭导航 CEO said. 鈥淭his partnership between United Way and 小黄鸭导航 ISD is an important step in that direction.鈥
Under the umbrella of the 小黄鸭导航/Travis County Success By 6 Coalition, United Way and 小黄鸭导航 ISD are working to create a community where all children enter Kindergarten happy, healthy, and prepared to succeed.