Prevent the Achievement Gap
The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) annual conference just keeps getting better! We began the conference by opening our brochure to a letter from President Obama recognizing the good and important work of early childhood educators! This was followed by the very First Secretary of State to address NAEYC, Arne Duncan, who affirmed what we already know. . . Early childhood is the most active and critical stage of a young child's development. Duncan made reference to President Roosevelt, who stated,
The destiny of American youth is the destiny of America.
Let the transformation begin. . .that is how Arne Duncan, U.S Secretary of Education, began his presentation to a full auditorium of early childhood educators. Duncan spoke of Preventing --rather than closing--the achievement gap by acknowledging that. . . The road to college begins at birth.
While acknowledging the challenges of reform, what Duncan referred to as the "iron triangle": Boost Quality-Increase Access-Control Costs, he remains hopeful. Duncan spoke of the joint effort of the Department of Education and Health and Human Services to work together now to advocate for and improve early education with two goals: First, develop Coordinated systems of care and education and second, Assess Quality (ECE programs need to Document, Assess, Adapt).
The national spotlight on early care and education is unprecedented. Let's take this opportunity to renew our commitment to children-- Let the transformation begin!