Many great things are happening in Washington's early learning circles, but sometimes they don't get noticed outside the local community. This blog attempts to connect the many organizational and individual efforts happening.

Sunday, January 21, 2007

Focus, Focus, the Time is Now

The last month and a half has been crackling with energy and increasing momentum. In addition to the Final Report from Washington Learns, The Department of Early Learning has issued its Report to Governor Gregoire and the Washington State Legislature.

The Department has also moved swiftly to hire an able deputy in the person of Peter Antolin who can assist in the complex issues of early learning finance. The ability of the new Information Technology Manager, Gregg Richmond is evident in the amazingly beautiful, user-friendly and child-focused DEL Website! The restructuring to create three Assistant Directors for: Quality, Parent Support & Programs and Systems & Partnership also bodes well.

At the Governor's Office, long-time policy person Leslie Goldstein has joined the Governor's staff as Executive Policy Advisor for early learning. Moreover, the incredibly talented Joyce Turner, who served as interim director of the DEL, has become Goveror's Deputy Chief of Staff. All of this is good for those interested in continuing early learning's increased visibility and success.

The Governor's Budget also includes some important new support for early learning as does the the bill she has introduced to carry out her budget priorities. However, it is still clear that early learning has some distance to go to increase awareness of how key an investment it is. While we cannot be successful without needed investments in K-12 and higher education, the degree to which policy makers have acknowledged that investing early is the answer in education, suggests that the amounts proposed are too low. Though some people attempt to include the funding of full-day kindergarten (which is sorely needed) as early learning, that approach is disingenous. While early learning may eventually be reclassified as the years from prenatal through 3rd grade, that policy decision has not been made.

If we are to be serious about the Governor's challenge to create an educational system that is the envy of the world and sets our course for long-term economic expansion, we must insist on appropriate investment to back that up. We have to seize the initiative and insist that helping families and ensuring the healthy development of Washington children is THE priority. If this is not the year for early learning in Washington, I cannot imagine when it will be. The case has been made, understanding has been increased and early learning is on the lips of lawmakers in Olympia.

We need to focus, focus, focus. The time is now.

1 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

Too true! Garrison, I agree - this is the year for early learning to really take off in the state, and it's exciting, as a provider of early eduation and intervention services to kids and their families in Pierce Co., to feel the momentum building. We want to play a key role in preparing this youngest generation for life ahead and you're dead right, Garrison, that the time is now while the train's moving forward. The consequences of sitting down will be years of rebranding and pressing again. Let it not be so! Thanks for your insight.

Jamie Anderson
Development Director
Child & Family Guidance Center/Tacoma Learning Center (TLC)

3:38 PM

 

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