Updated 5:20 p.m.
Washington early education leaders are looking for public input on the recently released draft outcomes and strategies document for a comprehensive birth-to-8 early learning plan that aims to give all young children in Washington state a fair chance at a great start in life. Specifically, they want to know if the outcomes and strategies resonate with individuals and communities and if there is anything missing or off-target.
The plan is being created to ultimately help ensure school readiness; coordinate the different systems around children in their earliest years (early care and education, helath, parents support, etc.) into one early learning system; and measure results over time for children and families to make sure the investments being made are working.
While still very much a work in progress, the “Draft Vision, Principles, Outcomes and Strategies for Statewide Early Learning Plan” suggests creating a universal voluntary pre-kindergarten system and greater parental involvement.
One of the other outcomes in draft is:
High-quality early care and education programs are both available and affordable to all families who choose to access them so that all children have the necessary opportunities to be successful in school and in life. – “Draft Vision, Principles, Outcomes and Strategies, 10/23/09.
If you’re interested in looking at and providing input on this first round of work on the plan, go online now, read the draft outcomes and strategies and fill out a survey or attend one of several upcoming community meetings.
The window for this round of feedback is limited to a couple of weeks because Dec. 1 is the deadline for the group, which is being led by the state Department of Early Learning, Thrive by Five Washington and the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction, to send a draft of the plan and recommendations for the upcoming legislative session to Gov. Gregoire. More than 100 individuals representing 40 groups have helped shape the plan's first draft documents.
More public feedback will be taken during December through early March 2010. The plan, which will detail how Washington can build an early learning system that covers everything from prenatal health to third grade, is expected to be finalized by the end of March.
Stay tuned! Birth to Thrive Online will post the draft plan and recommendations the governor receives.
Meetings about the draft early learning plan continue to be scheduled. Here are some already planned:
Seattle: Wednesday, October 28th, 7 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
The New School at South Shore, 4800 S. Henderson Street, Seattle, WA 98118
RSVP: Sarah@MomsRising.org
Tacoma: Thursday, October 29th, 7p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Tacoma Community College, 6501 S. 19th Street, Tacoma, WA 98466
RSVP: Sarah@MomsRising.org
Bellingham: Wednesday, November 4th, 7 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
St. Luke’s Community Education Center, 3333 Squalicum Parkway, Bellingham WA 98225
RSVP: Sarah@MomsRising.org
Kirkland: Thursday, November 5th 7 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Kirkland Women's Club, 407 1st St., Kirkland, WA 98033
RSVP: Sarah@MomsRising.org