State needs feedback TODAY for Early Learning grant application
Minnesota’s plans to compete for up to $50 million in federal early learning funds are on a fast track, but the state needs help from early childhood educators.
States vying in the new Race to the Top - Early Learning Challenge must submit their applications by Oct. 19. Minnesota officials and partner groups are rushing to gather public input and need to finish drafting a proposal by the end of September to meet the deadline.
If you have comments or ideas on promising approaches to early education, please share your ideas on a special Minnesota Race to the Top website by Sept. 16.
About 36 states are expected to apply for part of a $500 million pot of money intended to strengthen early childhood education and ensure that all children — especially those with high needs — start school ready to learn. It’s expected that four to six grants ultimately will be awarded. Winners will be notified in December.
Existing initiatives create a strong foundation
State officials believe Minnesota has already established a solid foundation to build on for purposes of the grant application, including the state-level Early Learning Council appointed by Gov. Mark Dayton earlier this year, the privately funded Parent Aware quality rating program, and other initiatives involving businesses, foundations and community agencies.
It’s likely that the grant writers will look to locally based initiatives to find best practices, officials said in a Sept. 9 presentation. Those might include programs such as Minneapolis’ Northside Achievement Zone, St. Paul’s Promise Neighborhood initiative, the Blandin Foundation’s Invest Early program in Itasca County, and the White Earth early childhood initiative.
Officials said they expect that the federal grant money would be used to improve early education and provide incentives for parents to access high-quality programs. A data system will also be needed to show the state is increasing children’s school readiness. However, grant money can’t be used to replace current funding, and any plan has to be financially sustainable after the federal money is spent.
State to strengthen early learning regardless, says official
Efforts to build a high-quality early learning system will continue regardless of whether Minnesota receives a federal grant, said Barbara Yates, who chairs the Early Learning Council.
The 22-member council is charged with making recommendations to the governor and Legislature on increasing access to high-quality early childhood programs. It will also make recommendations to the governor’s Children’s Cabinet on the Race to the Top grant.
September 15, 2011