A DVANCING R ACIAL E QUITY IN E ARLY L EARNING

T HE A RT OF C ONVERSATION Behaviors that help take conversation to a deeper realm  We acknowledge one another as equals  We try to stay curious about each other  We recognize that we need each other’s help to become better listeners  We slow down so we have time to think and reflect  We remember that conversation is the natural way humans think together  We expect it to be messy at times

C OMMUNITY A GREEMENTS An invitation  Show up (or choose to be present)  Pay attention (to heart and meaning)  Tell the truth (without blame or judgment)  Be open to outcome (not attached to outcome)

U SING A L ENS OF R ACIAL E QUITY It allows us to uncover the policies practices and behaviors that sustains unequal outcomes for children. Individual Institutional Structural Forms of Racism

T ARGETED U NIVERSALISM This approach supports the needs of the particular while reminding us that we are all part of the same social fabric.

W HERE H AVE W E B EEN ? P HASE I: D EVELOPMENT  Racial Equity Theory of Change (RETOC)

T HE V ISION In Washington, we work together so that all children start life with a solid foundation for success, based on strong families and a world-class early learning system for all children prenatal through third grade. Accessible, accountable, and developmentally and culturally appropriate, our system partners with families to ensure that every child is healthy, capable and confident in school and in life. ― Washington Early Learning Plan

“While early childhood education has the proven potential to prevent educational inequity, if not dramatically improved, it will do the reverse and perpetuate it.” ― Sharon Lynn Kagan, “American Early Childhood Education: Preventing or Perpetuating Inequity?” Equity Matters: Research Review No. 3, April 2009

E SSENTIAL Q UESTION How can we use a racial equity lens to help inform our approach in supporting the development of an early learning system at the local and state level?

W HAT IS A R ACIAL E QUITY T HEORY OF C HANGE ? A vision of… … what we want to accomplish … with logical sequence of steps for getting there … and informed logic … that are also informed and disciplined by a structural racism analytical framework

R ACIAL E QUITY T HEORY OF C HANGE (RETOC) Step #1: What We Want – Defining our Racial Equity Outcome Step #2: What We Need – Identifying the Building Blocks for Change Step #3: What Helps or Stands in the Way – Identifying Policies, Practices, Cultural Representations Step #4: What We Must Know – Understanding the Politics of Change Step #5: What We Must Do – Gearing Up for Action

RETOC D ECISION -M AKING BrainstormRefineReflect Stakeholder Group Working Group

P HASE II: I MPLEMENTATION  Community of Practice  ARE Grants Strategy