In Washington, DC for a meeting with Preschool Development Grant and Early Learning Challenge grantees. Jim Lesko of AEM discusses the rationale for Birth–3rd approaches:
- Eliminates artificial distinction between early childhood and early elementary education.
- Supports continuity, coherence, and support for children
- Promotes intentional and collaborative professional development
- Promotes cross-pollination of knowledge about development leading to sustaining efforts to support children’s learning gains
He adds that a coherent and aligned Birth–3rd system:
- Focuses on the whole child
- Provides seamless transition across components
- Includes aligned and comprehensive standards and curriculum
- Uses comparable instructional practices
- Enables communication and data-sharing across the entire assessment
- Establishes durable and long-lasting family, community, and school partnerships
- Supports PreK–3rd teachers participating in joint professional development opportunities
- Reduces the achievement gap among children in families at risk