NCECF ED Appointed to Statewide Children’s Health, Education and Well-Being Task Forces

Raleigh – Tracy Zimmerman, Executive Director of the North Carolina Early Childhood Foundation (NCECF), has been appointed to the NC General Assembly’s new Birth-to-Eight Interagency Task Force. Recognizing the unique period of child development from birth to age eight, the General Assembly has charged the Task Force with creating a coordinated system of early care, education and child development services. The system will help ensure each North Carolina child has a strong foundation for lifelong health, education and well-being from birth to eight years of age.

The legislation establishing the Task Force cites NCECF’s NC Pathways to Grade Level Reading measures of success as a possible foundation for an early childhood accountability plan. The Task Force must report to the General Assembly by February 15, 2019 its final results including progress on the development and implementation of a plan for a coordinated system.

In a separate but related effort, leaders of North Carolina’s public education system have also named Zimmerman to participate in My Future NC. This initiative will bring together NC leaders in education, business, philanthropy, faith, nonprofits and ex officio representatives from the North Carolina House of Representatives, Senate, and Governor’s office to create an agenda and education plan for a stronger and more competitive North Carolina.

The initiative will be led by Dale Jenkins, Chief Executive Officer of Medical Mutual Holdings; Andrea Smith, Chief Administrative Officer of Bank of America; and Margaret Spellings, President of the University of North Carolina.

The My Future NC Commission will discuss state education and training needs, identify obstacles to meeting those needs, and generate policy recommendations by:

  • Developing a comprehensive statewide education plan, from early childhood through postsecondary education, which recommends clear attainment goals, identifies key benchmarks, and proposes promising reforms to guide the future of education in North Carolina.
  • Breaking down silos and coordinating key stakeholders to make the best use of all educational resources in the state.
  • Debating the key issues and needs of the state to garner higher levels of public awareness and engagement.

“Both efforts highlight the growing recognition of the need to advance policies that create a stronger NC today and tomorrow by supporting each child’s success, starting at birth,” said Tracy Zimmerman, Executive Director of the NC Early Childhood Foundation. “I am thrilled to participate in these efforts that focus on strengthening the continuum from birth through post-secondary education.”

Download the press release here.