North Carolina needs a birth-through-third-grade comprehensive, integrated system of early learning that reflects brain science and how children learn. That was one of the messages from the North Carolina Early Childhood Foundation to the NC Birth to Third Grade Interagency Council last week.
At the B-3 Council’s request, NCECF shared information about early learning programs in the state, how they are funded, who is served by them, and who is eligible but not receiving services. NCECF also shared background and details about the NC Pathways to Grade-Level Reading Measures of Success Framework, which was referenced in the authorizing language for the Council. The presentation included information about:
- The development of the Framework, by a Data Action Team of 30 data experts in the areas of Health, Families and Communities, and High Quality Birth-to-eight Early Learning. The Measures in the Framework are based on the research on what improves children’s early literacy outcomes.
- The elements of the Framework, including:
- Vision
- Developmental Milestones
- Goals
- Measures of Success
- Community Conditions
- Influencer Measures
- The three phases of the Pathways work, including:
- Development of the Framework
- Prioritization of where to focus based on NC’s data around the Measures of Success
- What strategies to move forward to address the prioritized areas and third grade reading proficiency
- The research base for the Measures Framework and what data NC currently collects and doesn’t collect on the Measures.
- A data dashboard that is in development to provide an interactive platform to explore the Pathways data across the state.
The B-3 Council also heard from other presenters about the ECAT data system and about collaboration between DHHS and DPI to put in place a systemic process to share information between preschool and kindergarten teachers as children transition from early care settings to kindergarten.
Finally, the Council discussed an overarching vision and goals for their work and launched committees to work on three prioritized areas:
- Data and Accountability
- Teacher and Administrator Preparation and Effectiveness
- Transitions and Continuity
The Council’s next meeting will be August 13th, and the committees will work in the interim.