Originally Posted on 2/2/2016
Texas Tour Early Education DatesIn the summer of 2015, CHILDREN AT RISK launched The Early Investment Project to examine public investment in children from birth to age 8 across Texas. While there has been public discussion on portions of early education, more attention must be paid to ensuring that public dollars are coordinated to meet the needs of families, children, and employers.

During the 84th Texas Legislative Session, Texas legislators and Governor Abbott restored funding to improve the quality of Pre-K. Texas agencies and organizations must work together to ensure that the Governor’s initiative is a success. More can be done to support child care centers serving kids headed to Pre-K and students in Kindergarten through 3rd Grade to promote a positive return on Pre-K investment. Without a quality early education system before and after Pre-K, gains made in Pre-K will be lost.

Beginning on February 16, CHILDREN AT RISK will tour seven cities across Texas to discuss local early education initiatives, The Early Investment Project, and potential policy recommendations. During each stop of this statewide tour, CHILDREN AT RISK will:

  • engage local governments and organizations with innovative efforts around early education;
  • meet with parents of young children to discuss perception of quality child care;
  • urge local school districts to apply for the Governor’s pre-k quality funds; and
  • invite local business leaders to participate in this conversation, as they recognize the high return on investment that early education provides.

CHILDREN AT RISK is conducting this statewide visit to gather data and highlight local initiatives for an early education report to be released in September 2016. This report will include policy recommendations, informed by our research and community conversations, for the 85th Texas Legislature in 2017.