BUILDING A SOLID FOUNDATION FOR GOVERNORS’ EDUCATION REFORM AGENDAS THROUGH STRONG BIRTH- TO-3 RD GRADE POLICIES National Governor’s Association- Crystal City, VA May 9, 2012 COLORADO

Colorado Landscape  Local Control  64 Counties  178 School Districts  Geographic Diversity  Total Population 5,074,528  358,087 Children 0-5  12.9% Poverty Rate  16.6% Child Poverty Rate

Early Childhood Colorado Framework

Colorado’s ECAC: The Early Childhood Leadership Commission  Codified in statute (SB195) in June 2010  Charged to “promote coordination of policies and procedures that affect the health and well-being of Colorado children”  35 members (Governor-appointed):  Business and philanthropic leaders  Legislators  Parents and service providers  Representatives from education, health, and other state and community stakeholders  Areas of focus:  Program Quality  Data  Finance

Early Childhood B-3 rd Grade Strategy  Early Learning and Development Guidelines  TQRIS  B-3 Professional Development  Results Matter Assessment System  Aligned Data Systems/Use  Parent Engagement

Hickenlooper- Garcia Administration: The Education Leadership Council  Chaired by Lt. Governor Joe Garcia  Charged to make recommendations to the Governor, General Assembly, and governing boards regarding long-term improvements in the P-20 education system  42 Members (Governor-appointed):  Educators & community members  Early childhood stakeholders  Business leaders  Legislators  Areas of focus:  Integration of CAP4K & SB  Early Literacy  Workforce Development & STEM

Colorado Reads: The Early Literacy Initiative  Community/State Efforts  Summer Reading  Integrate One Congregation – One Family into Literacy Efforts  Model Reading Corps  One Book 4 Colorado  Colorado Literacy Week  Promote greater awareness and action

Colorado Reads: The Early Literacy Initiative  Administration Policy Priorities  Early identification of heath & development barriers  Educate and empower parents  Maximize access to preschool programs  Improve program quality (B- 3 rd grade)  Strengthen the early childhood workforce

Hickenlooper-Garcia Administration: Legislative Priorities  Strengthen Early Literacy Policy (HB )  Fully Fund & Develop Educator Effectiveness System (SB10-191)  Strengthen Impact Through Effective Governance (SB )

Hickenlooper- Garcia Administration: Early Childhood Governance  SB  Governor’s Agenda Item (the 3 Es)  Initiated by the ECLC  Consolidated early childhood programs and funding streams in a newly-created “Office of Early Childhood” in the Colorado Department of Human Services  Development of an early childhood State Plan  Formalizes interdepartmental coordination

Questions? Jennifer Stedron, PhD Executive Director, Colorado Early Childhood Leadership Commission Policy Director, Early Childhood Education, Health & Human Services