Council for a Strong America’s Post

This week is Children’s Week in Florida and we have a lot to celebrate! 🎉 It’s a testament to the incredible work being done by countless organizations and individuals who are dedicated to ensuring every child’s well-being and success. Every day, I witness firsthand the potential and resilience of our children and families, and watch those who tirelessly support them in their journey towards success. This is what we know to be true: 📉 Adolescents with supportive and involved parents are less likely to commit juvenile offenses and be arrested. (Journal of Research in Crime and Delinquency) 📉Parental involvement contributes to preventing repeat offenses among youth who have already been involved in the criminal justice system. (Mississippi State University) 📈Students with involved parents are 40% more likely to graduate from high school compared to peers with less parental involvement. (U.S. Department of Education) 📈Children who are read to at least three times a week by their parents are twice as likely to score in to the top 25% in reading compared to children who are read to less frequently. (National Center for Education Statistics) 📈 Children with involved parents are 70% less likely to exhibit behavior problems in school compared to children with less parental involvement. (American Pschological Association) 📈Students whose parents are involved in their education are 50% more likely to enroll in post-secondary education. (National Center for Education Statistics) There’s no greater calling than to advocate for resources and strengthen parental involvement with their children.

Buzzwords. Every issue area has them, but how often are they explained? This ZERO TO THREE article does a great job breaking down #Equity in the context of early childhood and offering concrete recommendations for action ⬇

When we achieve #equity, all infants and toddlers have access to the fresh food they need for #braindevelopment. See how equity impacts #earlychildhood. 

❝The truth is, community colleges and early care and education are extremely vital and worthy in their own rights, providing foundational support to children, families, and students,❞ Warfield said. ❝They are distinct and noble spheres that increasingly require our collective attention and advocacy, and we must find common ground to allow the two to lift one another up for the sake of children’s health, family well-being, and economic mobility.❞ Read more: https://lnkd.in/gQcSw7Py

The upcoming election will shape the future of public education in America. Read more about what's at stake for early learning, K-12 schools, higher education, students, teachers, and workers. @New America – Education Policy Program #Education #PublicSchools #Election2024

Children most likely to be removed from preschool classrooms are: ✔️Boys ✔️With a disability or special health care need, and ✔️Black. We can reduce preschool suspensions by helping little ones express their needs and feelings appropriately -- not with punishment. Learn how educators and decision-makers can better serve North Carolina’s children: https://buff.ly/4bYVKtG

This is important

One of my disabled children attends Whitehall Elementary. My child struggles with many things being neurodivergent. My child informed us during an episode on 1/10/2024 two teachers (special education and a paraprofessional) dragged her out of her classroom through the hallways. We reported it. We requested to be granted access to the footage and were denied repeatedly. We filed physical assault charges and the states attorney’s office refused to prosecute or even subpoena the video. We filed a child abuse report and CPS never followed up with us to inform us they would investigate. The school system has never given us a statement about the content of the video. We emailed and called Angela Alsobrook’s office and received no response. When families of disabled families need justice, where should they go? I have no answer. I can tell you who has not supported us. Is our child’s safety and wellness not worth an investigation of the video granting us access as her parents? Should these employees remain in the building with other students who may not be able to report being mishandled? We also contacted politicians at all levels. To date, we still have not had access or a proper investigation with a findings report of the video released to us. As this voting season approaches, think carefully about those of us who have to survive the lack of societal safeguards most access without issue. Don’t vote for diversity or someone being a first. Vote because the candidate has a voting record that aligns with your values and priorities. Vote for a leader who values all lives and makes efforts to see to it that all people have access to justice. #specialeducation #disabledchildren #iep #504 #pgcps #accessibility #safety #pgcpsproud #justicedenied #princegeorgescountymd

On Tuesday, July 30, 2024, National Support Public Schools Day, the Beloved Early Education and Care Collective (BEE Collective) Released Full Report FACING A BROKEN SYSTEM: Addressing Suspensions and Expulsions of Young Black Children Charleston, South Carolina - The Beloved Early Education and Care Collective (BEE Collective) continues its advocacy campaign announcing the full release of a sobering report addressing South Carolina’s crisis of discriminatory suspension and expulsion of young Black preschool-aged children. The full report, Facing A Broken System: A Crisis of Discriminatory Suspension and Expulsion that Harms Black Children in South Carolina and Charleston County, published by Dr. Melodie Baker and her team at ImpactSTATS, Inc., aims to shed light on the pervasive issue of school and classroom removals experienced by young Black children, with a particular focus on Charleston and its broader state context in South Carolina. By examining the forces at play in this type of discipline, based on exclusion, and highlighting the issue of implicit bias, hoping to raise awareness of the driving factors that contribute to this crisis. The report highlights that suspended and expelled preschoolers are 10 times more likely to drop out of high school, experience academic failure, and face jail time, proving the school-to-prison pipeline effect, beginning in early education. The full report may be viewed online at beecollective.co. https://lnkd.in/e5Ajxn3Y

Check out the latest from the amazing Georgie Dent #lifematters