The Cadillac of Early Childhood Systems
While we have some effective components and First 8 Memphis, an incredible system organization for Pre-K, we do not yet have a scaled, sustainable well-oiled machine in Shelby County. This is a problem.
If I wanted to sell you a Cadillac that had a beautiful leather interior but was missing its wheels, you probably wouldn’t buy it. The car would not reliably get you to your destination. Our local early childhood system is like this Cadillac–some good parts and some parts still need to be installed.
Good data drives systems change.
Pre-K is a long-term investment. Children benefit from Pre-K across a lifetime. Pre-K enrollment has demonstrated positive effects onthird-grade reading, high school graduation, postsecondary success, and adult earnings. These benefits are why we were able to help secure investment from the Memphis and Shelby County governments in local Pre-K.
But to make the case for Pre-K, we need long-term data. Seeding Success and First 8 Memphis have taken on the task of data analysis to help schools, non-profits, and other institutions improve the lives and learning of students.
Data is vital infrastructure. Learn more in this week’s policy update.
230,000 Futures in the Making
The future is advancing quickly and our systems are failing to keep up. The unemployment rate for recent college graduates averaged 5.3%, while their underemployment rate remains over 41%.
Together with the StriveTogether Network and our new statewide collaboration—Cradle to Career TN—we are working to invest in students, improve their academic outcomes by improving their lives, and prepare them for the future.
xAI, Head Start, and How to Read the Law | Weekly Policy Update
Porter-Leath has been awarded federal funding to expand its Head Start services for Shelby County and will serve an additional 2,920 children ages 3-5 years old in partnership with First 8 Memphis and dozens of local providers. Porter-Leath is now enrolling children at over 30 locations and hiring staff to serve children and families.
xAI, the company at the center of several news stories related to air pollution in South Memphis, is donating millions to facility upgrades to be used in four high schools in xAI’s surrounding area.
Also in this edition: learn how we review upcoming legislation!
Exciting News: Pre-K For All Passes | Weekly Policy Update
The Memphis City Council passed the third and final reading of the “Pre-K for All” ordinance this week, joining the Shelby County Commission in creating the state’s first ever local, universal pre-kindergarten program.
Additionally, the council advanced a proposal which would add $1.5 million in funding for the first year of implementation of Pre-K for All. This followed an additional $2 million provided by the Shelby County Commission this week for the same purpose. This will bring the total annual local funding for pre-K to approximately $21 million.