Nearly two thousand advocates for early childhood education met via satellite to discuss pre-K learning. The conference put on by Pre-K Now broadcasted through one hundred eighty sites across the nation. The Texas early childhood education coalition or (TECEC) provided a Texas only broadcast to twenty eight sites. Amarillo College hosted representatives from region 16, the Texas panhandle and Amarillo College to participate in the discussion. Topics included collaboration between community pre-school educators, partnering with home based providers, and in the Texas specific broadcast the focus was on the upcoming legislative session.
TECEC prepared five priorities for the upcoming Texas Legislative session:
- Support full-day high quality pre-kindergarten programs with an emphasis on local, integrated community-based partnerships
- Increase reimbursement rates paid to child care providers
- Support the development of early childhood professionals
- Maintain support for existing quality programs throughout Texas
- Establish a pilot early childhood behavioral consultation program in Texas
Former Lt. Governor Bill Ratliff, and Senators Judith Zaffirini and Leticia Van de Putte added commentary during the conference. PBS's Ray Suarez hosted the program and introduced video pieces featuring success stories from all over the country. Panelists shared experiences and research from their respective communities to strengthen our nation's Pre-K education.
Mary Munger, Chair of the early education department at Amarillo College said, " We're looking at good ideas happening across the country in order to get quality experiences to very young children so that they go to school totally ready for the curriculum they'll meet there."
Munger also stressed having an open mind in the upcoming session and working with legislators to solidify Pre-K programs, education, and funding.
