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Maine’s Distinctive Approach to First 10

Bookshelf of selected books for young children and a First 10 sign, with a First 10 Sanford team member standing in front of the bookshelf.

Maine began working with First 10 Director David Jacobson in 2018, implementing  First 10 practices in 13 schools across the state. This early work led to the creation of a state-level, cross-agency team that promotes connections between early education initiatives. Currently, the Maine Department of Education provides a state level...

A Spotlight on Early Childhood Education in York, PA: Visit by Swati Adarkar and Ralph Smith

In November, the First 10 Partnership in York, PA welcomed Swati Adarkar, deputy assistant secretary of policy and early learning at the U.S. Department of Education (ED); Ralph Smith, managing director at the Campaign for Grade...

A group photo of people that includes Dr. Andrea Berry-Brown, Ralph Smith, David Jacobson, and Swati Adarkar.

Campaign for Grade-level Reading Webinar: Exploring Best Practices and Community Innovations from the First 10 Network

The Campaign for Grade-level Reading webinar, The First 10 Framework: Exploring Best Practices and Community Innovations was the first in a three-part series of webinars focused on First 10. This first webinar, highlighted two communities —...

Image of the presenters for the Campaign for Grade-level Reading webinar, The First 10 Framework: Exploring Best Practices and Community Innovations.

Developing Strong Family-School Partnerships: Begin by Learning From and About Families

Improved levels of academic achievement and healthy social-emotional development for students are among the many benefits of strong family-school partnerships. At the October First 10 Network Meeting, EDC’s Jenny Portillo-Nacu, Senior Team Facilitator for First...

Children and families at 2024 York, PA First 10 Summer Institute.

Building Sturdy Bridges: Prioritizing the Transitions to Kindergarten and First Grade

Each month, First 10 communities from across the U.S. come together to share best practices at First 10 Network Meetings. In September, we were joined by two special guests:  Swati Adarkar, Deputy Assistant Secretary of...

Webinar: Kindergarten as a Sturdy Bridge and the Transition to 1st Grade. Presenters: Swati Adarkar (US ED) and Ralph Smith (CGLR)

First 10 Summer Institutes: A Joint Professional Learning Example from York, PA

Each year, starting in 2021, Head Start teachers, community-based Pre-K teachers, district Pre-K and K teachers, and assorted administrators in York, PA, have come together in the summer for a 1-day joint professional learning experience....

Successful Implementation of the First 10 Model: Insights from Rhode Island

Starting in 2021, the Rhode Island Department of Education (RIDE) partnered with First 10 to improve the quality and coordination of the early childhood education and care in three communities: East Providence, Johnston, and Woonsocket....