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National
Black Child Development Institute
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Introduction For
the past 36 years, the National Black Child Development Institute has been
steadfast in its mission to improve and protect the lives of children.
Along with the affiliate network composed of volunteers from across the
nation, we have worked to improve child welfare services, make universal
early care and education a reality, build family support services, press
for educational reform and provide vital information on children's health.
I. Support creation of
Federal Early Education Quality Improvement Grants Despite
the dramatic expansion of state pre-kindergarten programs in the last five
years, funding for the management, administration, and monitoring of these
programs continues to lag behind. In
2007, NBCDI will partner with Pre-K
Now to push for the creation of a federal early education
quality improvement grant program intended “to strengthen state efforts
to build, expand, or improve state pre-k systems.” The proposal provides
flexibility for states to use the multi-million dollar grants to improve
their early education systems in a variety of ways ranging from
streamlining professional development programs to aligning early education
standards to curriculum and assessment. NBCDI
will also work to ensure that the grants can be used to support state
systems-building efforts to diversify their early education workforce and
ensure teachers receive proper cultural competency training as part of
on-going professional development. This is particularly relevant given the
high rate of African-American male expulsion in state pre-k programs.
As
the nation’s capital, the District Columbia has the potential to be both
an example and a leader in the growing pre-k movement – particularly
with regards to creating a system where all children, including children
of color, enter school ready to learn. In
June 2006, NBCDI launched the public education and advocacy campaign, Pre-K
for All DC, to ensure every three and four year old has access
to high-quality pre-kindergarten programs. During the 2006 elections, Pre-K
for All DC successfully persuaded every candidate for mayor and
council chair to pledge their support for universal, quality pre-k. After
the election, Pre-K
for All DC led Mayor-elect Adrian Fenty’s transition work
group on early education. The group’s recommendations constructed the
framework for delivering comprehensive early education to all three and
four year olds. The framework has become the basis for the mayor’s
multi-year plan on early childhood education.
III.
Increase the Quality of Head Start programs In
2007, NBCDI will partner with the National
Headstart Association (NHSA) to support efforts to increase the quality of the federal
Head
Start programs across the country. NBCDI is particularly
concerned with the exodus of highly-qualified teachers from Head Start
classrooms due to inadequate compensation and benefit levels. To truly
effectuate sustainable quality in Head
Start programs, teachers must be given pay commiserate with
their qualifications. In the upcoming federal Head
Start Re-authorization process, NBCDI will collaborate with key
national partners to raise the compensation levels of teachers with
Bachelor’s degrees to equal that of public school teachers. This effort
is the first step in increasing the quality of programs across the country
and ensuring children of color who graduate Head
Start enter Kindergarten prepared for success in school and in
life. IV. Support expansion of
Even Start NBCDI
understands the need to support parents and families as they work to
become productive members of our society. The
William F. Goodling Even Start Family Literary Program is part
of the support critically needed for families with young children living
in poverty. Even
Start provides adult literacy and parent training programs to
these families and often serves as a gateway to additional support
services. Evaluations
indicate dramatic improvements in literacy skills, employment rates, and
income gains for families in this program. Why
not continue to fund what works for families? In 2007, NBCDI will
support the National
Council of LaRaza's efforts to increase federal funding for Even
Start, especially as it is the only federally-funded support
program for low-income families with infants and toddlers in the U.S.
Department of Education. V.
NBCDI will support efforts in 2007 for the reauthorization of SCHIP to ensure that states can both maintain and expand health coverage for our nation's children. The SCHIP program has made great strides in covering the most vulnerable children over the past ten years. Together, Medicaid and SCHIP provide otherwise uninsured children and their families regular health exams, preventive screenings, and other essential health care services. Both programs are vital to improving children’s health care and reducing the ranks of uninsured children. New
census data show that over nine million children remain uninsured; the majority
of them are currently eligible for Medicaid or SCHIP but not enrolled.
Therefore, the level of funding and the distribution of funds to state will be
critical SCHIP re-authorization issues. These issues directly affect efforts to
reduce the number of uninsured children. As we look to the future of health care,
coverage for all children is critical. Therefore, NBCDI is also
supporting the Children's
Defense Fund's All
Healthy Children Act (HR 1688), a proposal that
focuses on ALL children and pregnant women having comprehensive health
coverage. NBCDI
recognizes that failure to cover those children who remain uninsured and
re-authorize SCHIP, will directly threaten the health care of our children and
adolescents and impede states’ ability to meet the growing need for health
coverage for low-income children and their families. VI.
Support increases in funding to initiatives within the No Child Left Behind Act
that benefit children of color In
2007, the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) is expected to be up for
reauthorization. NBCDI recognizes the necessity of closing the achievement gap
between low-income and middle-income students and between white and children of
color. The Institute will support the Committee
for Education Funding's efforts to increase federal Title One dollars
going to schools that serve low-income students, increase funding for
English-language acquisition, and increase pell grants to ensure more children
of color have the opportunity to attend college as adults. NBCDI
will also fight to ensure a balance, culturally competent approach to the state
assessment systems grant process. Scientifically-research studies indicate that
children of color do better with culturally competent approach to learning.
Federal dollars should be granted to states that offer an approach to
curriculum, standards and assessment that values the role of culture and
heritage in children’s lives. Conclusion NBCDI
calls on its affiliate network, members, and partner organizations to take
action on behalf of this public policy agenda. By working for common sense
solutions to the health and education challenges that our children face,
we can improve the lives of families and make our nation a stronger place.
Who, if
not us, will be responsible for our children?
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