School Readiness Alliance
The Alabama School Readiness Alliance (ASRA) is a collaborative effort seeking to expand quality pre-K programs to close the achievement gaps of children entering school. The ACJF Board continued its support for early learning by voting to join the AASR and work to increase public funding for voluntary, high quality pre-K options for children in Alabama.
The Alabama School Readiness Alliance (ASRA) is a collaborative effort seeking to expand quality pre-K programs to close the achievement gaps of children entering school. The ACJF Board continued its support for early learning by voting to join the AASR and work to increase public funding for voluntary, high quality pre-K options for children in Alabama.
“Today we know more than ever before about how young children develop and about how to best support early learning,” the ASRA Statement of Public Support says. “Yet there are currently only 60 state funded pre-K sites serving few than 2% of our four year old children. Our goal is that every family who wishes to enroll their child in a quality pre-K program may do so.”
This effort is being led by four Partners: Alabama Partnership for Children, VOICES for Alabama’s Children, A+ and AL Giving. AL Giving is the network of grant making foundations in the state.
The ACJF has been a leading member in this network and its efforts to incorporate a collaborative effort of all foundations toward a meaningful goal. School Readiness has become that goal.
School Readiness means that a child has enthusiasm for learning, the ability to function in a social setting, age appropriate communication and problem solving skills, age appropriate physical and emotional skills and optimal health. “This is what we want for our own kids, and we can strive for no less for all Alabama children,” according to Sue McInnish, executive director of the ACJF.