If we want to close our opportunity gaps, we need to start early.
I recently read this opinion piece in Bridge Michigan* about why Michigan’s road to educational excellence begins before kindergarten, and it got me thinking about our work to close long-standing student achievement gaps between our economically disadvantaged kids and their peers, our 2030 Vision**, and the recent conversations*** happening around early childhood programs and facilities, including Oak Park and Glen Loomis.
The article makes an important point: By the time a child enters kindergarten, differences in access to early learning and other early experiences may already be shaping their educational journey.
The earlier we can support children and families, the more opportunity we have to help every child thrive.
I’m not an early childhood expert, but I do think this deserves a thoughtful, strategic conversation in our district.
As we discuss our programs and facilities, it’s important to consider the bigger picture:
• What does early childhood education in TCAPS look like today****?
• Where are the gaps in access, opportunity and support for children and families?
• What do we want our early childhood programs to accomplish?
• How do our programs fit within the larger early childhood system in our community?
• And how does all of this connect to our 2030 Vision and our commitment to closing opportunity gaps?
Important work is already happening across our community.
Northwest Education Services recently opened the Joseph C. Fisher Early Childhood & Family Center***** here in Traverse City. Rather than simply adding another preschool, the center brings together early intervention, developmental screenings, family supports, playgroups, parent education, professional learning and community partners in one place.
And that’s only one piece of a much larger regional system.
Early On, Help Me Grow, Great Start, GSRP, Strong Beginnings, Head Start and Early Head Start are among the programs and partnerships supporting young children and families across our region.
That makes understanding our role even more important.
Before we get too far down the road on programs or facilities, I’d like to better understand our current state and our desired future state:
• What needs are already being met?
• Where are the gaps?
• How do our community partners fit together?
• And where can we have the greatest impact?
Because the conversation shouldn’t begin and end with programs and buildings. It should begin with children, families, and the outcomes we’ve committed to achieving.
I’d encourage anyone interested in Michigan’s educational future — and our own local conversations — to learn more about this work.
Read more:
* Read “Michigan’s road back to educational excellence begins before kindergarten”: https://bit.ly/4BckOdC
** Our 5-year strategic plan goals: https://bit.ly/tcaps-values
*** Our early childhood programs: https://bit.ly/3VPDoIh
**** The Ticker’s “Oak Park, Glenn Loomis Likely Focus of Next TCAPS Bond”: https://bit.ly/4i9z8uu
***** The Joseph C. Fisher Early Childhood & Family Center: https://bit.ly/4BozNBh
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