[vc_row content_text_aligment=”left”][vc_column css=”.vc_custom_1573152419308{margin-left: 100px !important;}”][vc_row_inner row_content_width=”grid” css=”.vc_custom_1580449643924{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”][vc_empty_space][mkdf_section_title position=”” show_separator=”yes” separator_position=”left” title_tag=”h2″ disable_break_words=”yes” title=”A Crucial Foundation For Success” title_break_words=”5″ title_padding=”10px”][/mkdf_elements_holder_item][/mkdf_elements_holder][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner row_content_width=”grid” css=”.vc_custom_1580449654195{margin-bottom: -50px !important;}”][vc_column_inner width=”2/3″][vc_column_text]
Third grade is widely acknowledged as a critical benchmark year for long-term academic success.
A student not reading at grade level in third grade is four times more likely to drop out of high school.
Whether they’re proficient readers depends on the quality of their learning experiences in the years prior. Like bricks and mortar, learning builds on prior learning. If the foundation is weak, later achievement will falter.
Studies have repeatedly shown that investment in quality early childhood education (ECE) is more life and cost-effective than later remediation. The figure to the right, known as “The Heckman Curve” by Nobel Laureate Prize-winning economist James Heckman, clearly shows how investments in early childhood learning have by far the greatest return. Particularly for disadvantaged young children, the benefits of early childhood education can be as high as $7-$13 for every $1 invested.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”60px”][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/3″][mkdf_single_image enable_image_shadow=”no” image=”4890″][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row_content_no_spaces” content_text_aligment=”center” css=”.vc_custom_1584394524694{padding-top: 40px !important;padding-bottom: 40px !important;}” parallax_background_image=”4703″ el_class=”fw_bg”][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″][mkdf_section_title position=”” show_separator=”yes” separator_position=”center” title_tag=”h2″ disable_break_words=”no” title=”Early Childhood Education Deficits Begin Well Before Kindergarten” title_color=”#12416b” title_padding=”13px”][vc_empty_space height=”27px”][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]
Early literacy and math deficits begin well before children enter kindergarten, with skill gaps widening along family income lines from as early as 9 months of age and growing exponentially by 24 months.
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Research has clearly demonstrated that early literacy and math skills at the kindergarten level, as well as early workforce skills (such as cooperation and paying attention), often predict future academic success.
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][mkdf_single_image enable_image_shadow=”no” image=”4892″ image_size=”medium”][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row row_content_width=”grid” content_text_aligment=”center” css=”.vc_custom_1580443373178{padding-top: 110px !important;padding-bottom: 54px !important;}”][vc_column width=”5/6″ offset=”vc_col-lg-offset-2 vc_col-lg-8 vc_col-md-offset-2 vc_col-md-8 vc_col-sm-offset-1 vc_col-xs-12″][mkdf_section_title position=”” show_separator=”yes” separator_position=”center” title_tag=”” disable_break_words=”no” title=”Early Brain Development Plays a Critical Role” holder_padding=”13px”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row row_content_width=”grid” css=”.vc_custom_1580443381166{padding-bottom: 70px !important;}”][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″][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 0px 45px 0px” item_padding_1367_1600=”0px 28px 45px 0px” item_padding_769_1024=”0px 0px 130px 0px” item_padding_1025_1366=”0px 28px 45px 0px” item_padding_681_768=”0px 0px 120px 0px” item_padding_680=”0px 2px 45px 0px”][mkdf_image_with_text enable_image_shadow=”yes” title_tag=”h3″ image=”4753″ image_size=”large” title=”BRAIN DEVELOPMENT” bg_text=”01″ bg_text_size=”276px” bg_text_margin=”80px 0px 0px 9px” title_top_margin=”25px”][vc_column_text]In the first 3 years of early childhood development, a child’s brain is the most impressionable, forming one million new neural connections every second to create the “wiring” that becomes the foundation upon which all later learning is built.[/vc_column_text][vc_btn title=”Learn More” style=”custom” custom_background=”#c52026″ custom_text=”#ffffff” shape=”square” align=”center” link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Fdevelopingchild.harvard.edu%2Fscience%2Fkey-concepts%2Fbrain-architecture%2F||target:%20_blank|” css=”.vc_custom_1588922778446{margin-top: 15px !important;}”][/mkdf_elements_holder_item][/mkdf_elements_holder][/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″][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 0px 45px 0px” item_padding_1367_1600=”0px 28px 45px 0px” item_padding_769_1024=”0px 0px 130px 0px” item_padding_1025_1366=”0px 28px 45px 0px” item_padding_681_768=”0px 0px 120px 0px” item_padding_680=”0px 2px 45px 0px”][mkdf_image_with_text enable_image_shadow=”yes” title_tag=”h3″ image=”4752″ image_size=”large” title=”ADULT RESPONSIVENESS” bg_text=”02″ bg_text_size=”276px” bg_text_margin=”80px 0px 0px 9px”][vc_column_text]Adult responsiveness is key to young child brain development. Known as “Serve and Return” interaction, when an infant or young child babbles, gestures, or cries, and an adult responds appropriately with eye contact, words, or a hug, children learn and critical neural connections are built and strengthened in the child’s brain. This is a critical point during which children learn how to interact with other people.[/vc_column_text][vc_btn title=”Learn More” style=”custom” custom_background=”#c52026″ custom_text=”#ffffff” shape=”square” align=”center” link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Fdevelopingchild.harvard.edu%2Fscience%2Fkey-concepts%2Fserve-and-return%2F||target:%20_blank|” css=”.vc_custom_1589217706697{margin-top: 15px !important;}”][/mkdf_elements_holder_item][/mkdf_elements_holder][/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″][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 0px 45px 0px” item_padding_1367_1600=”0px 28px 45px 0px” item_padding_1025_1366=”0px 28px 45px 0px” item_padding_769_1024=”0px 0px 130px 0px” item_padding_681_768=”0px 0px 120px 0px” item_padding_680=”0px 2px 45px 0px”][mkdf_image_with_text enable_image_shadow=”yes” title_tag=”h3″ image=”4751″ image_size=”large” title=”RESILIENCE” bg_text=”03″ bg_text_size=”276px” bg_text_margin=”80px 0px 0px 9px”][vc_column_text]Children who face adversity, like poverty, often don’t get appropriate adult responsiveness. In these cases, the way the brain develops is disrupted, and the child is at far greater risk for subsequent physical, cognitive and emotional impairment.[/vc_column_text][vc_btn title=”Learn More” style=”custom” custom_background=”#c52026″ custom_text=”#ffffff” shape=”square” align=”center” link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Fdevelopingchild.harvard.edu%2Fscience%2Fkey-concepts%2Fresilience%2F||target:%20_blank|” css=”.vc_custom_1589220388440{margin-top: 15px !important;}”][/mkdf_elements_holder_item][/mkdf_elements_holder][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row content_text_aligment=”center” css=”.vc_custom_1584736883072{padding-top: 40px !important;padding-bottom: 40px !important;}” parallax_background_image=”4699″][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″][mkdf_section_title position=”” show_separator=”yes” separator_position=”center” title_tag=”h2″ disable_break_words=”no” text_tag=”p” text_font_weight=”” title=”All Learning Environments Impact Early Childhood Education” text=”For young children, the reality is that every environment — whether home, preschool, childcare, or elementary school — is a learning environment. The key is that whatever the context, children are getting quality emotional and cognitive development and building the critical foundation necessary for success in school and life.” title_color=”#ffffff” text_color=”#ffffff” text_font_size=”17px” text_line_height=”25px” title_padding=”13px” text_margin=”32px” custom_class=”white-title”][vc_empty_space height=”27px”][/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_1570666402131{margin-bottom: -50px !important;}”][vc_column_inner][vc_column_text]
Tennessee can make a giant leap forward in early education outcomes by choosing policies that:
[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][mkdf_icon_with_text type=”icon-left” icon_pack=”font_elegant” fe_icon=”arrow_triangle-right” title_tag=”span” title=”Support parents to be their child’s first effective teacher” custom_icon_size=”18px” icon_color=”#0431b8″ icon_hover_color=”#0431b8″ title_color=”#333333″ text_padding=”5px 0 10px 13px”][vc_empty_space height=”5px”][mkdf_icon_with_text type=”icon-left” icon_pack=”font_elegant” fe_icon=”arrow_triangle-right” title_tag=”span” title=”Expand access to high quality childcare and preschool” custom_icon_size=”18px” icon_color=”#0431b8″ icon_hover_color=”#0431b8″ title_color=”#333333″ text_padding=”5px 0 10px 13px”][vc_empty_space height=”5px”][mkdf_icon_with_text type=”icon-left” icon_pack=”font_elegant” fe_icon=”arrow_triangle-right” title_tag=”span” title=”Improve instructional quality PreK – 3rd grade” custom_icon_size=”18px” icon_color=”#0431b8″ icon_hover_color=”#0431b8″ title_color=”#333333″ text_padding=”5px 0 10px 13px”][vc_empty_space height=”5px”][mkdf_icon_with_text type=”icon-left” icon_pack=”font_elegant” fe_icon=”arrow_triangle-right” title_tag=”span” title=”Build strong accountability and continuous improvement systems for all early education programs.” custom_icon_size=”18px” icon_color=”#0431b8″ icon_hover_color=”#0431b8″ title_color=”#333333″ text_padding=”5px 0 10px 13px”][vc_empty_space][vc_btn title=”Read More” style=”custom” custom_background=”#c52026″ custom_text=”#ffffff” shape=”square” link=”url:%2Fpolicy-blueprint%2F%23strong|||”][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row disable_element=”yes” row_content_width=”grid” css=”.vc_custom_1579634113153{padding-bottom: 70px !important;}”][vc_column width=”1/3″][mkdf_team type=”info-below-image” team_name_tag=”” team_social_icon_pack=”” team_image=”4252″ team_name=”Blair Taylor” team_position=”PRESIDENT”][vc_empty_space height=”50px”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][mkdf_team type=”info-below-image” team_name_tag=”” team_social_icon_pack=”” team_image=”4345″ team_name=”Mike Carpenter” team_position=”EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR”][vc_empty_space height=”50px”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][mkdf_team type=”info-below-image” team_name_tag=”” team_social_icon_pack=”” team_image=”4347″ team_name=”Lisa” team_position=”ADVISOR”][vc_empty_space height=”50px”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row disable_element=”yes”][vc_column offset=”vc_col-lg-offset-0 vc_col-lg-3 vc_col-md-offset-0 vc_col-md-12 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=”attend” background_font_size=”194px” background_top_position=”109px” background_right_position=”0px” background_bottom_position=”0px” background_left_position=”-5px” background_text_color=”#f9f9f9″][mkdf_elements_holder_item item_padding=”239px 0px 99px 144px” item_padding_1367_1600=”239px 0px 99px 66px” item_padding_1025_1366=”239px 0px 99px 56px” 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number_of_posts=”3″][/mkdf_elements_holder_item][/mkdf_elements_holder][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row disable_element=”yes” content_text_aligment=”center” simple_background_color=”#12416b”][vc_column][mkdf_elements_holder holder_full_height=”no” number_of_columns=”one-column” switch_to_one_column=”” alignment_one_column=”” background_text=”join our coalition” background_font_size=”154px” background_text_color=”#063c6b” background_left_position=”-20px” background_top_position=”105px”][mkdf_elements_holder_item horizontal_alignment=”center” item_padding=”40px 0px 0px 0px” item_padding_1367_1600=”45px 0px 0px 0px” item_padding_1025_1366=”45px 0px 0px 0px” item_padding_769_1024=”54px 0px 0px 0px” item_padding_681_768=”0px 0px 75px 0px” item_padding_680=”0px 0px 75px 0px”][mkdf_counter type=”mkdf-zero-counter” title_tag=”” title_font_weight=”” digit=”29155″ title=”Coalition Members” digit_color=”#ffffff” title_color=”#ffffff”][vc_empty_space height=”20px”][vc_btn title=”Join Now” style=”custom” custom_background=”#c52026″ custom_text=”#ffffff” shape=”square” link=”url:%2Fjoin|title:Join%20the%20Coalition||”][vc_empty_space height=”20px”][/mkdf_elements_holder_item][/mkdf_elements_holder][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row disable_element=”yes” content_text_aligment=”left” simple_background_color=”#f8f8f8″][vc_column][mkdf_elements_holder holder_full_height=”no” number_of_columns=”two-columns” separation_of_two_columns=”” switch_to_one_column=”1024″ alignment_one_column=””][mkdf_elements_holder_item background_image=”4288″ item_padding_769_1024=”357px 0″ item_padding_681_768=”266px 0″ item_padding_680=”127px 0″ item_padding=”360px 0″ item_padding_1367_1600=”280px 0″ item_padding_1025_1366=”252px 0″][/mkdf_elements_holder_item][mkdf_elements_holder_item item_padding=”114px 17% 120px” item_padding_1367_1600=”36px 80px 42px 80px” item_padding_1025_1366=”8px 52px 14px 52px” item_padding_769_1024=”75px 160px 82px 121px” item_padding_681_768=”31px 80px 37px 76px” item_padding_680=”0px 20px 6px 30px”][mkdf_accordion layout=”simple”][mkdf_accordion_tab title_tag=”h5″ title=”Myth: Education is ineffective prior to kindergarten”][vc_column_text]Fact: In the first 3 years of life, a child’s brain is the most impressionable, forming one million new neural connections every second to create the “wiring” that becomes the foundation upon which all later learning is built. [Source][/vc_column_text][/mkdf_accordion_tab][mkdf_accordion_tab title_tag=”h5″ title=”Myth: Educational television programs and interactive games are suitable replacements for parent-child interactions”][vc_column_text]Fact: Adult responsiveness is the key driver of young child brain development. When an infant or young child babbles, gestures, or cries, and an adult responds appropriately with eye contact, words, or a hug, neural connections are built and strengthened in the child’s brain. This is known as “serve and return” interaction and is critical for early brain growth.[/vc_column_text][/mkdf_accordion_tab][mkdf_accordion_tab title_tag=”h5″ title=”Myth: Childcare providers in Pre-K programs and other childcare programs are just fancy babysitters”][vc_column_text]Fact: Depending on program quality, child care can either advance or impede early learning and, in turn, future education and workforce success. That is why it’s imperative that we support policies that promote high quality, affordable childcare.[/vc_column_text][/mkdf_accordion_tab][mkdf_accordion_tab title_tag=”h5″ title=”Myth: There is nothing we can do to address learning gaps”][vc_column_text]Fact: Tennessee can make a giant leap forward in early education outcomes by choosing policies that
- Support parents to be their child’s first effective teacher
- Expand access to high quality childcare and preschool
- Improve instructional quality PreK- 3rd grade
- Build strong accountability and continuous improvement systems for all early education programs.
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