The NC Pathways to Grade-Level Reading Initiative (Pathways) has always been about possibility. It started by bringing together diverse North Carolina leaders to imagine what would be possible if:
- We adopted shared, whole child, birth-to-eight measures that put children on a path to grade-level reading?
- We coordinated strategies to support children’s optimal development beginning at birth?
- We aligned policies and practices that were rooted in how children develop?
The outcomes of this collaboration were defining a common vision, establishing shared measures of success, and prioritizing coordinated strategies and actions that would support children’s optimal development and help move the needle on third grade reading proficiency in North Carolina, starting from birth. Learn more about Pathways and its ripple effect in Pathways to Grade-Level Reading: A Whole Child Approach to Literacy.
With our shared measures and prioritized actions guiding us, Pathways continues to imagine what’s possible in a world that looks very different then before given the pandemic. Challenges and inequities for young children and their families have grown, requiring even greater attention and urgency for action. Examples of impact and innovation led by parents, community advocates, and state leaders have also shone bright.
It makes us wonder:
What would be possible if we lifted up, learned from, and sufficiently resourced initiatives across North Carolina that are leading in some of the actions that matter most to improving child well-being and third grade reading proficiency?
- Who is doing this work and how can we support their next steps?
- Where are the gaps and how can they be filled?
- How are racial equity and community voices being centered?
- Where can we align efforts and promote further collaboration?
The Pathways Action Map is one of our responses to these questions.
The Action Map is an online tool that aims to provide a snapshot of what’s happening in NC in 44 action areas prioritized by Pathways. The goals of the Action Map are to:
- Inform key stakeholders about where NC stands in the prioritized action areas
- Drive policy making, funding, advocacy and local action where it’s most needed
- Spotlight initiatives that center racial equity and community voice
- Promote collaboration by engaging and connecting diverse leaders across NC
Over the past year, the North Carolina Early Childhood Foundation has been working with partners to create the Action Map. This has included listening to their feedback and learning about state and local Initiatives that are actively working to impact one or more of the Pathways actions. Slowly but surely, we are adding initiatives to the Map. Learn more about the Pathways Action Map and how you can add your work.
NCECF is excited to begin releasing portions of the Action Map throughout 2022 with the support of advisors. We’ll start by sharing initiatives addressing the social-emotional health expectation area this spring. We will continue to add initiatives for all actions on an ongoing basis. We imagine the Map be more than a database or warehouse of information, but a tool to drive action and collaboration in North Carolina.
Do you know of an Initiative that should be included on the Pathways Action Map?
If yes, let us know about your Initiative by completing the Pathways Action Map Form or scheduling a call.
Are you a parent, community advocate, and/or racial equity leader that is interested in serving as an advisor for the Pathways Action Map?
Contact us to learn more about this opportunity! Stipends are available to compensate you for your time and expertise.