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Early Childhood & School Readiness

You are in the Family and Community Involvement section of the Casey Foundation Knowledge Center, which offers resources that are either published or funded by the Casey Foundation. Resources address the importance of empowering families and communities actively engaged in schools and school systems.

See also the Our Work: Education, an overview of the Casey Foundation's investments in this issue.

See also all Education resources in the Knowledge Center.

Featured Publications

2010 KIDS COUNT Special Report: Why Reading by the End of Third Grade Matters

2010

The 2010 KIDS COUNT Special Report makes the case that reading proficiently by grade three is a fundamental benchmark in developmental success and overall childhood well-being.

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View the KIDS COUNT Publications and Resources Series >>

 

Ensuring Success for Young Children: Early Childhood Literacy

2009

Research shows that reading abilities in third grade act as a tell-tale barometer for later school success, since children who read at grade level are more likely to graduate from high school. And those who graduate from high school are more likely to pursue further education or get a job. This discussion guide for small foundations explores strategies for supporting nonprofits that provide early childhood education programs and services, especially those that focus on early childhood literacy and reading at grade level by third grade.

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View the Investing Strategies to Serve Vulnerable Children Series >>

 

Feeding Our Future: Growing Up Healthy with WIC

2009

This report by Children’s HealthWatch highlights the implications of the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) on very young children. The report details research indicating that WIC improves children’s health as well as reduces the risk of developmental delays.

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Food for Thought: Expanding School Breakfast to NJ Students

2011

This report marks the start of Advocates for Children of New Jersey’s Food for Thought School Breakfast Campaign, which seeks to expand innovative approaches to serving school breakfast and significantly increase students’ participation rates.

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Linking Home-Based Child Care and State-Funded Preschool: The Community Connections Preschool Program

2011

This report describes an evaluation of the Community Connections preschool program model, which incorporates classroom-based and home provider-based elements.

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Racial Gaps in Early Childhood: Socio-emotional Health, Developmental, and Educational Outcomes Among African-American Boys

2011

This study examines racial gaps in cognitive and socio-emotional development among boys in early childhood and identifies factors that contribute to early resilience among African-American boys.

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Double Jeopardy: How Third-Grade Reading Skills and Poverty Influence High School Graduation

2011

This study finds that students who don’t read proficiently by third grade are four times more likely to leave without a diploma than proficient readers. It is notable in breaking down for the first time the likelihood of graduation by different reading skill levels and poverty experiences.

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Using Data to Promote Collaboration in Local School Readiness Systems

2010

This report describes and assesses the efforts of local members of the National Neighborhood Indicators Partnership to promote collaboration among local school readiness service providers in eight cities: Atlanta, Chattanooga, Cleveland, Denver, Memphis, Miami, Milwaukee, and Providence.

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