| Special Issue:
Early Childhood Policy Updates |
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| Review the Rhode Island Early Learning Council's Draft Strategic Report |
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The draft Strategic Report for the Rhode Island Early Learning Council has been posted on Rhode Island KIDS COUNT's and the Rhode Department of Education's websites. As noted in our recent Early Childhood Policy Updates, the Council was created on June 15, 2010 by Governor Carcieri and is working to expand access to high-quality early learning programs. The Council is being co-chaired by Education Commissioner Deborah A. Gist and Elizabeth Burke Bryant, Executive Director, Rhode Island KIDS COUNT. The Rhode Island Early Learning Council developed the draft Strategic Report and is seeking comments from interested parties by Thursday July 29, 2010. Comments on the draft Strategic Report can be submitted to [email protected]. The Strategic Report must be submitted to the federal Administration for Children and Families by August 1, 2010.
A public hearing to receive comments on the draft Strategic Report will be held on Thursday, July 29, 2010 from 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the Community College of Rhode Island - Knight Campus, Rooms 1128 and 1130, 400 East Avenue, Warwick, RI. This report is an initial planning document. The Early Learning Council will work over the next three years to further develop a strategic action plan. |
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Background on Rhode Island Early Learning Council |
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Governor Carcieri recently established a 24-member Early Learning Council to work to ensure that Rhode Island children have access to high quality early learning experiences in a variety of settings. The appointment of a state Early Learning Council is a provision of the federal 2007 Head Start Reauthorization Act. The Early Learning Council will facilitate the development and enhancement of high-quality systems of early childhood education and care, from birth to age 8, with the goal of improving school readiness and success in school. The Council will develop a state plan that will seek to align resources to support high quality early care and education services and to improve coordination and collaboration among multiple agencies, organizations, and programs. The Council's co-chairs have appointed a Work Group to assist the Council with its work. |
