School–early childhood zones and hubs connect schools, early learning providers, health agencies, and family services—replacing fragmented systems with aligned support, smoother transitions, and shared responsibility.
This evaluation brief by the American Institutes for Research® (AIR®) shares findings from the first year of implementation in Michigan communities. First 10 pilot sites addressed barriers that limit families’ access to school readiness services; aligned pre-K and Kindergarten practices; and improved collaboration among schools, early childhood programs, and community partners; among other successes.
David Jacobson describes the three core design principles of innovative communities nationwide that are reinventing early childhood education: connecting early years and early grades, deepening partnerships with families, and strengthening communities.
