Government Programs and Initiatives Impacting Early Childhood Ed. Objective 9.02

D Programs & Initiatives2 6 Government Programs/Initiatives Kaiser Child Care Centers Head Start Smart Start No Child Left Behind More at Four Pre-Kindergarten Partnership for 21 st Century Skills

D Programs & Initiatives3 Kaiser Child Care Centers Originated during World War II Offered health care and hot meals Convenient to work Provided round-the-clock care Offered exemplary child care

D Programs & Initiatives4 Impact of Kaiser Child Care Centers Served over 3,000 children Freed women to work during World War II Provided a model for exemplary child care

D Programs & Initiatives5 Head Start Started in 1965 Major points of the program –Compensatory education –Parental involvement –Community control –First to bring national attention to the importance of providing good care and educational experiences for young children

D Programs & Initiatives6 Impact of Head Start on ECE Services for low-income families Comprehensive developmental services to over 10 million children Now serving about 20% eligible low-income children Burst of enthusiasm for programs for young children Expanded enrollment in nursery school, kindergarten, and child care programs National attention to the need for good care and educational experiences for children

D Programs & Initiatives7 Smart Start Started in 1993 A North Carolina initiative To ensure that young children are healthy and ready to succeed NC partnership for children oversees the program

D Programs & Initiatives8 Impact of Smart Start on ECE Made early childhood education accessible to children of all races, classes, cultures, and needs Made child care affordable Improved child health outcomes Strengthened families Used cutting-edge, innovative approaches for early learning

D Programs & Initiatives9 No Child Left Behind Started in 2001 All children receive a quality education Higher standards and greater accountability throughout the nation’s school systems Expanded options for parents Teaching methods proven to work

D Programs & Initiatives10 Impact of No Child Left Behind Provides accurate assessment of student performance Provides children with effective development materials Increases student and teacher accountability Provides individualized and comprehensive reporting Encourages parental involvement by providing at- home activities

D Programs & Initiatives11 More at Four Pre-Kindergarten A North Carolina initiative Started in January-June, 2002 A state-funded initiative For at-risk four-year-olds Designed to help children be more successful in elementary school Focuses on underserved children and those never served in a pre-K program

D Programs & Initiatives12 Impact of More at Four Provides a high quality classroom-based educational program Children served in a variety of settings: –public schools –for-profit and nonprofit child care –Head Start –Combination settings Offers financial assistance Serves a diverse group of children Very detailed planning of program objectives for children

D Programs & Initiatives13 Partnership for 21 st Century Skills Started in 2002 as a partnership of 27 member organizations In 2005, NC created the nation’s first Center for 21 st Century Skills In May, 2006, NC State Board of Education endorsed a framework for education based on 21 st century skills which will serve as a foundation for evaluating and realigning the state’s K-12 standards and curriculum. Recognizes that there are results that matter for students in 21 st century that go beyond traditional standards Redefines “rigor” as not just mastery of core subjects, but also of 21 st century skills and content

D Programs & Initiatives14 Impact of 21 st Century Skills Provides expanded academic enrichment activities for children Opportunities for students and their families to continue to learn new skills and discover abilities after school year has ended Provides tutorial services Provides art, music, and recreation programs Helps children meet standards in reading and math

D Programs & Initiatives15 On which of the 6 government programs/initiatives will you write an investigative report? Kaiser Child Care Centers Head Start Smart Start No Child Left Behind More at Four Pre-Kindergarten Partnership for 21 st Century Skills