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An Urgent Need for Change

[vc_row row_content_width=”grid” parallax_background_image=”4453″][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=”yes” separator_position=”left” title_tag=”h1″ disable_break_words=”yes” text_tag=”p” text_font_weight=”” title=”An Urgent Need for Change” title_color=”#161616″ text=”Tennessee’s Success Depends on an Early Learning Transformation” 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=”Learn About Our Solutions” style=”3d” color=”white” css=”.vc_custom_1572319892948{margin-top: 0px !important;padding-top: 40px !important;}”][/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” title_tag=”” title=”Excellent Early Grades Teaching” bg_text=”03″ title_color=”#15417e” link=”https://tqee.org/pre-k-to-3rd-grade/”][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 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” text_tag=”” text_font_weight=”” title=”An Urgent Need for Change” text=”In the last decade, Tennessee’s education reforms have driven historic improvements, resulting in high academic standards, standards-aligned assessments of student progress, and accelerated growth in statewide academic achievement for students in grades 3 through 12.” title_break_words=”5″ text_font_size=”17px” text_line_height=”25px” text_margin=”2px” title_padding=”10px”][/mkdf_elements_holder_item][/mkdf_elements_holder][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]

Raising the Bar

[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”3px”][vc_column_text]Despite our improvements, student proficiency still falls far short of Tennessee’s goals.

TNReady, Tennessee’s standards-aligned end-of-year assessments, reveal that the majority of Tennessee’s students, in all tested grades 3-12, are not proficient in reading and math. See Figure 1.

The Nation’s Report Card (NAEP) tells a similar story. Despite Tennessee being the fastest improving state in the country, proficiency rates still rank it in the bottom half of all states. See Figure 2.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”29px”][mkdf_single_image enable_image_shadow=”no” image=”4305″ image_size=”full”][vc_column_text]*From left – fiona on a family portrait[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][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=”55px 30px 0px 39px” item_padding_1367_1600=”55px 30px 0px 39px” item_padding_1025_1366=”55px 10px 0px 10px” item_padding_769_1024=”55px 10px 0px 19px” item_padding_681_768=”55px 0px 0px 0px” item_padding_680=”35px 0px 0px 0px”][vc_column_text]”Especially striking is that by 3rd and 4th grades Tennessee’s students are already significantly behind, with nearly two-thirds not proficient in English and math.”[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”34px”][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/”][vc_empty_space height=”5px”][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/”][vc_empty_space height=”5px”][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/”][vc_empty_space height=”5px”][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_empty_space height=”5px”][vc_column_text]TQEE[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”18px”][mkdf_signature text=”Blair Taylor” text_color=”#111111″ text_font_size=”28px”][/mkdf_elements_holder_item][/mkdf_elements_holder][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][vc_column 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_column][vc_column][/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]

Become a Loud Voice

A child yelling into a megaphone