[vc_row row_content_width=”grid” parallax_background_image=”4454″][vc_column][mkdf_elements_holder holder_full_height=”no” number_of_columns=”one-column” switch_to_one_column=”” alignment_one_column=””][mkdf_elements_holder_item item_padding=”190px 59% 204px 0px” item_padding_1367_1600=”147px 61% 157px 0px” item_padding_1025_1366=”119px 54% 132px 0px” item_padding_769_1024=”119px 35% 132px 0px” item_padding_681_768=”119px 17% 132px 0px” item_padding_680=”119px 0% 132px 0px”][mkdf_section_title position=”” show_separator=”no” title_tag=”h3″ disable_break_words=”yes” title=”TQEE Priority Policy Three” title_color=”#161616″ title_padding=”10px”][mkdf_section_title position=”” show_separator=”yes” separator_position=”left” title_tag=”h1″ disable_break_words=”yes” text_tag=”p” text_font_weight=”” title=”Excellent Early Grades Teaching” title_color=”#161616″ text=”90% of Tennesseans agree that ensuring every classroom has a high performing teacher would do a lot to prepare a child for success in school and life.” text_color=”#161616″ text_font_size=”17″ text_line_height=”25″ title_padding=”10px” text_margin=”36px”][vc_empty_space height=”15px”][vc_btn title=”View The Results Of Our Poll” style=”3d” color=”white” css=”.vc_custom_1573581855957{margin-top: 0px !important;padding-top: 40px !important;}” link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Ftqee.org%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2019%2F11%2FPOS-Poll.pdf|||”][/mkdf_elements_holder_item][/mkdf_elements_holder][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row row_content_width=”grid”][vc_column width=”1/4″][mkdf_elements_holder holder_full_height=”yes” number_of_columns=”one-column” items_float_left=”yes” switch_to_one_column=”” alignment_one_column=””][mkdf_elements_holder_item][vc_empty_space height=”64px”][mkdf_icon_with_text type=”icon-top” icon_pack=”font_awesome” fa_icon=”fa fa-user” title_tag=”” title=”Engaged & Empowered Parents” bg_text=”01″ link=”https://tqee.org/active-and-engaged-parents/” title_color=”#15417e”][vc_empty_space height=”64px”][/mkdf_elements_holder_item][/mkdf_elements_holder][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/4″][mkdf_elements_holder holder_full_height=”no” number_of_columns=”one-column” switch_to_one_column=”” alignment_one_column=””][mkdf_elements_holder_item][vc_empty_space height=”64px”][mkdf_icon_with_text type=”icon-top” icon_pack=”font_awesome” fa_icon=”fa fa-child” title_tag=”” title=”Quality Affordable Childcare” bg_text=”02″ title_color=”#15417e” link=”https://tqee.org/quality-and-affordable-childcare/”][vc_empty_space height=”64px”][/mkdf_elements_holder_item][/mkdf_elements_holder][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/4″][mkdf_elements_holder holder_full_height=”no” number_of_columns=”one-column” switch_to_one_column=”” alignment_one_column=””][mkdf_elements_holder_item][vc_empty_space height=”64px”][mkdf_icon_with_text type=”icon-top” icon_pack=”font_awesome” fa_icon=”fa fa-book” icon_animation=”yes” title_tag=”” title=”Excellent Early Grades Teaching” bg_text=”03″ title_color=”#c62027″ link=”https://tqee.org/pre-k-to-3rd-grade/” icon_hover_color=”#c62027″][vc_empty_space height=”64px”][/mkdf_elements_holder_item][/mkdf_elements_holder][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/4″][mkdf_elements_holder holder_full_height=”no” number_of_columns=”one-column” switch_to_one_column=”” alignment_one_column=””][mkdf_elements_holder_item][vc_empty_space height=”64px”][mkdf_icon_with_text type=”icon-top” icon_pack=”font_awesome” fa_icon=”fa fa-certificate” title_tag=”” title=”Strong Accountability Systems” bg_text=”04″ title_color=”#15417e” link=”https://tqee.org/strong-accountability/”][vc_empty_space height=”64px”][/mkdf_elements_holder_item][/mkdf_elements_holder][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row row_content_width=”grid” disable_background_image=”” simple_background_image=”317″ css=”.vc_custom_1552043514234{padding-top: 105px !important;padding-bottom: 120px !important;}”][vc_column width=”2/3″ offset=”vc_col-lg-offset-0 vc_col-lg-8 vc_col-md-offset-0 vc_col-md-12 vc_col-sm-offset-0 vc_col-xs-12″][vc_row_inner css=”.vc_custom_1552038378011{padding-bottom: 10px !important;}”][vc_column_inner][mkdf_elements_holder holder_full_height=”no” number_of_columns=”one-column” switch_to_one_column=”” alignment_one_column=””][mkdf_elements_holder_item item_padding=”0px 170px 0px 0px” item_padding_1367_1600=”0px 170px 0px 0px” item_padding_1025_1366=”0px 40px 0px 0px” item_padding_769_1024=”0px 90px 0px 0px” item_padding_681_768=”0px 0px 0px 0px” item_padding_680=”0px 0px 0px 0px”][mkdf_section_title position=”” show_separator=”yes” separator_position=”left” title_tag=”h2″ disable_break_words=”yes” title=”Excellent Early Grades Teaching” title_break_words=”5″ title_padding=”10px”][vc_column_text]A 2015 Vanderbilt University study found that disadvantaged children who attended Tennessee’s Voluntary Pre-K (VPK) were significantly better prepared for kindergarten than those who did not attend. However, that study, as well as research conducted by Tennessee Department of Education, found wide variation in the quality of Pre-K– 3rd grade classrooms across the state. Especially striking were the studies’ findings that K-3 classrooms failed to provide instructional quality sufficient to sustain earlier Pre-K gains.
Together with the fact that the majority of Tennessee’s 3rd graders are not proficient in reading and math, these studies point to an urgent need to transform the quality of instruction along the full Pre-K –3rd grade early learning continuum.
What does early grades transformation mean? It will involve refocusing instruction on evidenced-based, high-quality teaching practices. That means early grades instruction will: a) become developmentally-appropriate based on the age and stage of the children being taught; b) incorporate knowledge and skill building across multiple content areas including reading, math, science, social studies and the arts; and c) emphasize social and work-related, or “soft skills,” competencies. It also means it’s time to double down on support and professional development for our elementary school teachers and principals – with the goals of placing an excellent teacher in every early grade classroom and holding elementary schools accountable for early grades success.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”64px”][mkdf_section_title position=”” show_separator=”yes” separator_position=”left” title_tag=”h3″ disable_break_words=”yes” title=”Our priorities for improving teaching in the early grades:” title_break_words=”5″ title_padding=”10px”][vc_column_text]To accelerate student outcomes in 3rd grade and beyond, Tennessee needs an early grades transformation anchored in best practices for high quality early grades instruction.
- Improve and expand quality pre-k to propel disadvantaged students’ growth and achievement;
- Expand the use of knowledge-rich, developmentally-appropriate and inquiry-based curriculum in the early grades – across content areas;
- Strengthen early grades teacher preparation and training;
- Prioritize recruitment and retention of highly effective teachers in the early grades;
- Provide comprehensive professional development for early grades teachers focused on the four pillars of high-quality early grades instruction; and
- Build elementary school principals’ knowledge of high quality early grades instruction.
[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”64px”][mkdf_section_title position=”” show_separator=”yes” separator_position=”left” title_tag=”h3″ disable_break_words=”yes” title=”Helpful Resources” title_break_words=”5″ title_padding=”10px”][vc_column_text]Pre-K: A Critical Building Block_Feb 2018.pdf
Tennessee Improving Voluntary Pre-K_Feb 2018.pdf[/vc_column_text][/mkdf_elements_holder_item][/mkdf_elements_holder][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″ offset=”vc_col-lg-offset-0 vc_col-lg-4 vc_col-md-offset-0 vc_col-md-12 vc_col-sm-offset-0 vc_col-xs-12″ el_class=”mkdf-eh-single-image-hover”][mkdf_elements_holder holder_full_height=”no” number_of_columns=”one-column” switch_to_one_column=”” alignment_one_column=””][mkdf_elements_holder_item item_padding=”15px 0 0 0″ item_padding_1367_1600=”15px 0 0 0″ item_padding_1025_1366=”15px 0 0 0″ item_padding_769_1024=”53px 0 0 0″ item_padding_681_768=”53px 0 0 0″ item_padding_680=”53px 0 0 0″][mkdf_single_image enable_image_shadow=”no” image_behavior=”custom-link” image=”4327″ image_size=”full” custom_link=”https://votestart.mikado-themes.com/the-texas-senators-aides-have-been-finished/”][/mkdf_elements_holder_item][/mkdf_elements_holder][mkdf_elements_holder holder_full_height=”no” number_of_columns=”one-column” switch_to_one_column=”” alignment_one_column=”” background_color=”#0431b8″ background_text=”For Us” background_font_size=”154px” background_text_color=”#0938c6″ background_top_position=”3px” background_left_position=”-18px” background_right_position=”-63px”][mkdf_elements_holder_item item_padding=”11px 45px 37px 45px” item_padding_1367_1600=”11px 45px 37px 45px” item_padding_1025_1366=”11px 30px 37px 30px” item_padding_769_1024=”11px 415px 37px 45px” item_padding_681_768=”11px 235px 37px 45px” item_padding_680=”11px 35px 37px 25px”][vc_column_text]
Policy Priorities Summary
[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”3px”][vc_column_text]DOWNLOAD NOW[/vc_column_text][/mkdf_elements_holder_item][/mkdf_elements_holder][vc_empty_space height=”18px”][vc_column_text]
OUR PRIORITIES
[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”10px”][mkdf_icon_with_text type=”icon-left” icon_pack=”font_elegant” fe_icon=”arrow_right” title_tag=”h5″ title=”Engaged & Empowered Parents” custom_icon_size=”18px” icon_color=”#0431b8″ icon_hover_color=”#0431b8″ title_color=”#333333″ text_padding=”5px 0 10px 13px” link=”https://tqee.org/active-and-engaged-parents/”][mkdf_icon_with_text type=”icon-left” icon_pack=”font_elegant” fe_icon=”arrow_right” title_tag=”h5″ title=”Pre-K to 3rd Grade” custom_icon_size=”18px” icon_color=”#0431b8″ icon_hover_color=”#0431b8″ title_color=”#333333″ text_padding=”5px 0 10px 13px” link=”https://tqee.org/pre-k-to-3rd-grade/”][mkdf_icon_with_text type=”icon-left” icon_pack=”font_elegant” fe_icon=”arrow_right” title_tag=”h5″ title=”Quality & Affordable Childcare” custom_icon_size=”18px” icon_color=”#0431b8″ icon_hover_color=”#0431b8″ title_color=”#333333″ text_padding=”5px 0 10px 13px” link=”https://tqee.org/quality-and-affordable-childcare/”][mkdf_icon_with_text type=”icon-left” icon_pack=”font_elegant” fe_icon=”arrow_right” title_tag=”h5″ title=”Strong Accountability” custom_icon_size=”18px” icon_color=”#0431b8″ icon_hover_color=”#0431b8″ title_color=”#333333″ text_padding=”5px 0 10px 13px” link=”https://tqee.org/strong-accountability/”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row row_content_width=”grid” content_text_aligment=”center” css=”.vc_custom_1572379354901{margin-top: 60px !important;border-bottom-width: 60px !important;padding-top: 75px !important;padding-bottom: 75px !important;}” parallax_background_image=”4113″][vc_column offset=”vc_col-lg-offset-2 vc_col-lg-8 vc_col-md-offset-1 vc_col-md-10 vc_col-sm-offset-0 vc_col-xs-12″ css=”.vc_custom_1572321964848{padding-top: 50px !important;padding-bottom: 50px !important;}”][mkdf_section_title position=”” show_separator=”yes” separator_position=”center” title_tag=”h2″ disable_break_words=”no” text_tag=”p” text_font_weight=”” title=”Improving Early Education” text=”TQEE is a coalition of business, law enforcement, faith, education, civic organizations and individuals in communities across Tennessee who are committed to advancing high-quality early care and education policies and practices.
Sign up for regular updates so you can contribute and be a part of this important and fast-growing conversation!
Join Our Coalition” title_color=”#ffffff” text_color=”#ffffff” text_font_size=”17px” text_line_height=”25px” title_padding=”13px” text_margin=”32px”][vc_empty_space height=”27px”][mkdf_button text=”Join Our Coalition” target=”_self” icon_pack=”” font_weight=”” text_transform=”” link=”https://votestart.mikado-themes.com/events/”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row equal_height=”yes” css=”.vc_custom_1572625978756{margin-right: 0px !important;margin-left: 0px !important;}” el_class=”custom-height”][vc_column css=”.vc_custom_1559288374682{padding-right: 0px !important;padding-left: 0px !important;}” offset=”vc_col-lg-offset-0 vc_col-lg-4 vc_col-md-offset-0 vc_col-md-6 vc_col-sm-offset-0 vc_col-xs-12″][mkdf_banner hover_behavior=”mkdf-visible-on-default” info_position=”default” subtitle_tag=”h2″ title_tag=”h4″ image=”4171″ title=”A child’s brain develops more in the first 5 years than any other time in their life” title_color=”#ffffff” info_content_padding=”0 16%” subtitle=”Did You Know?”][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][vc_column css=”.vc_custom_1559288370914{padding-right: 0px !important;padding-left: 0px !important;}” offset=”vc_col-lg-offset-0 vc_col-lg-4 vc_col-md-offset-0 vc_col-md-6 vc_col-sm-offset-0 vc_col-xs-12″][mkdf_banner hover_behavior=”mkdf-visible-on-default” info_position=”default” subtitle_tag=”” title_tag=”h4″ image=”4170″ title=”#MyEarlyEducation to support the Tennesseens for Quality Early Education” title_color=”#ffffff” info_content_padding=”0 16%” subtitle=”Join The Conversation”][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][vc_column css=”.vc_custom_1570487700031{padding-right: 0px !important;padding-left: 0px !important;}” offset=”vc_col-lg-offset-0 vc_col-lg-4 vc_col-md-offset-0 vc_col-md-6 vc_col-sm-offset-0 vc_col-xs-12″][vc_single_image image=”4416″ img_size=”full”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row row_content_width=”grid” content_text_aligment=”left” css=”.vc_custom_1572381315243{margin-top: 150px !important;margin-bottom: 150px !important;}”][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_empty_space][mkdf_icon_with_text type=”icon-top” icon_pack=”font_awesome” fa_icon=”fa fa-download” title_tag=”h2″ title=”Policy Agenda” bg_text=”2019″][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][mkdf_section_title position=”left” show_separator=”no” title_tag=”h3″ disable_break_words=”no” text_tag=”” text_font_weight=”” text=”Legislative Priorities and Wins in the Tennessee General Assembly!” title=”Download TQEE’s 2019 Policy Agenda” text_font_size=”18″][vc_empty_space height=”74px”][mkdf_elements_holder holder_full_height=”no” number_of_columns=”one-column” switch_to_one_column=”” alignment_one_column=”” background_color=”#0431b8″ background_text=”For Us” background_font_size=”154px” background_text_color=”#0938c6″ background_top_position=”3px” background_left_position=”-18px” background_right_position=”-63px”][mkdf_elements_holder_item item_padding=”11px 45px 37px 45px” item_padding_1367_1600=”11px 45px 37px 45px” item_padding_1025_1366=”11px 30px 37px 30px” item_padding_769_1024=”11px 415px 37px 45px” item_padding_681_768=”11px 235px 37px 45px” item_padding_680=”11px 35px 37px 25px”][vc_column_text]
Policy Agenda
[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”3px”][vc_column_text]DOWNLOAD NOW[/vc_column_text][/mkdf_elements_holder_item][/mkdf_elements_holder][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_single_image image=”4338″ img_size=”medium” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_shadow_3d”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space height=”50px”][mkdf_section_title position=”center” show_separator=”yes” separator_position=”center” title_tag=”” disable_break_words=”no” text_tag=”” text_font_weight=”” title=”Together, We Are Making A Difference” text=”We’re proud to champion quality early childhood education for our great state of Tennessee, and with your help we’re accelerating progress.” text_font_size=”18px”][vc_empty_space height=”75px”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row equal_height=”yes” row_content_width=”grid” css=”.vc_custom_1573098379542{margin-right: 0px !important;margin-left: 0px !important;}” el_class=”custom-height”][vc_column css=”.vc_custom_1559288374682{padding-right: 0px !important;padding-left: 0px !important;}” offset=”vc_col-lg-offset-0 vc_col-lg-4 vc_col-md-offset-0 vc_col-md-6 vc_col-sm-offset-0 vc_col-xs-12″][vc_single_image image=”4413″ img_size=”medium” add_caption=”yes” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_shadow_circle_2″][vc_btn title=”EFFECTIVE POLICY” shape=”square” color=”danger” align=”center” css=”.vc_custom_1573097720234{margin-top: -25px !important;}”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1573098450562{padding-right: 20px !important;padding-left: 20px !important;}”]
We develop sound, evidence-based policy that strengthens early learning.
[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][vc_column css=”.vc_custom_1559288370914{padding-right: 0px !important;padding-left: 0px !important;}” offset=”vc_col-lg-offset-0 vc_col-lg-4 vc_col-md-offset-0 vc_col-md-6 vc_col-sm-offset-0 vc_col-xs-12″][vc_single_image image=”4423″ img_size=”medium” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_shadow_circle_2″][vc_btn title=”A STRONG VOICE” shape=”square” color=”danger” align=”center” css=”.vc_custom_1573097806281{margin-top: -25px !important;}”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1573098503573{padding-right: 20px !important;padding-left: 20px !important;}”]
We amplify the voices of early education advocates from across the state.
[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][vc_column css=”.vc_custom_1570487700031{padding-right: 0px !important;padding-left: 0px !important;}” offset=”vc_col-lg-offset-0 vc_col-lg-4 vc_col-md-offset-0 vc_col-md-6 vc_col-sm-offset-0 vc_col-xs-12″][vc_single_image image=”4414″ img_size=”medium” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_shadow_circle_2″][vc_btn title=”2020 ELECTIONS” shape=”square” color=”danger” align=”center” css=”.vc_custom_1573097824134{margin-top: -25px !important;}”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1573098509975{padding-right: 20px !important;padding-left: 20px !important;}”]
We help elect pro-early education candidates for the state legislature.
[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row” css=”.vc_custom_1573099502445{margin-top: 150px !important;}”][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”4344″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1572321456299{margin-top: 75px !important;border-bottom-width: 75px !important;}”][vc_column][mkdf_section_title position=”center” show_separator=”yes” separator_position=”center” title_tag=”” disable_break_words=”no” text_tag=”” text_font_weight=”600″ title=”Supported By Leaders You Trust” text=”The efforts of TQEE are supported by industry professionals,
families & thought leaders in Tennessee.” text_font_size=”16px”][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row row_content_width=”grid” css=”.vc_custom_1572629295754{border-bottom-width: 125px !important;}”][vc_column width=”1/4″][mkdf_team type=”info-below-image” team_name_tag=”” team_social_icon_pack=”font_elegant” team_social_fe_icon_1=”social_linkedin” team_image=”4339″ team_name=”Beth Rhinehart” team_position=”CEO, BRISTOL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE” team_social_icon_1_link=”https://www.linkedin.com”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/4″][mkdf_team type=”info-below-image” team_name_tag=”” team_social_icon_pack=”” team_image=”4341″ team_name=”Rev. Kenneth Robinson, MD” team_position=”CEO UNITED WAY OF MID-SOUTH”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/4″][mkdf_team type=”info-below-image” team_name_tag=”” team_social_icon_pack=”” team_image=”4340″ team_name=”Candice McQueen” team_position=”TN COMMISSIONER OF EDUCATION”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/4″][mkdf_team type=”info-below-image” team_name_tag=”” team_social_icon_pack=”” team_image=”4343″ team_name=”Michael Rallings” team_position=”DIRECTOR OF POLICE SERVICES, MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row content_text_aligment=”center” simple_background_color=”#002aa7″][vc_column css=”.vc_custom_1552046703870{padding-right: 0px !important;padding-left: 0px !important;}” offset=”vc_col-lg-offset-0 vc_col-lg-6 vc_col-md-offset-0 vc_col-md-6 vc_col-sm-offset-0 vc_col-xs-12″][mkdf_elements_holder holder_full_height=”no” number_of_columns=”one-column” switch_to_one_column=”” alignment_one_column=”” background_text=”act” background_font_size=”264px” background_text_color=”#002aa7″ background_top_position=”215px” background_right_position=”0px” background_bottom_position=”0px” background_left_position=”531px” background_color=”#0431b8″][mkdf_elements_holder_item item_padding=”96px 10px 109px” item_padding_1367_1600=”96px 10px 109px” item_padding_1025_1366=”96px 10px 109px” item_padding_769_1024=”96px 10px 109px” item_padding_681_768=”96px 10px 109px” item_padding_680=”96px 10px 109px”][mkdf_section_title position=”center” show_separator=”yes” separator_position=”center” title_tag=”h2″ disable_break_words=”no” text_tag=”p” text_font_weight=”” title=”Join the Coalition” title_color=”#ffffff” text=”Join our cause to help support our children’s future.” text_color=”#ffffff” title_padding=”13px” text_margin=”36px”][vc_empty_space height=”33px”][mkdf_icon_with_text type=”icon-left” icon_pack=”font_elegant” fe_icon=”icon_headphones” icon_size=”mkdf-icon-small” title_tag=”h4″ title=”901.331.0153″ custom_icon_size=”22px” icon_color=”#ffffff” icon_hover_color=”#ffffff” title_color=”#ffffff” title_top_margin=”3px”][vc_column_text]Support Our Cause[/vc_column_text][/mkdf_elements_holder_item][/mkdf_elements_holder][/vc_column][vc_column css=”.vc_custom_1552046774852{padding-right: 0px !important;padding-left: 0px !important;}” offset=”vc_col-lg-offset-0 vc_col-lg-6 vc_col-md-offset-0 vc_col-md-6 vc_col-sm-offset-0 vc_col-xs-12″][mkdf_donation donation_type=”text-only” title_tag=”h2″ title=”Support Us Now” title_color=”#ffffff” example_1=”$10″ example_2=”$25″ example_3=”$50″ example_4=”$100″ bg_color=”#16478c” bg_text=”donate” bg_text_color=”#0431b8″ bg_text_size=”264px” button_text=”Donate” custom_link=”https://votestart.mikado-themes.com/donation-list/” text=”Invest in our children’s future.” text_color=”#ffffff” bg_text_margin=”260px 0px 0px 196px”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][/vc_column][/vc_row]
