From 2003 to 2013, the Foundation for Child Development prioritized prekindergarten (Pre-K) – 3rd grade, pioneering a systems-change approach to align early childhood experiences with the critical early elementary years. Recognizing the challenges posed by fragmented educational systems, the Foundation sought to ensure the sustained academic success of children, framing the Pre-K – 3rd grades as the new first tier of public education. Primary objectives of the Initiative included Pre-K – 3rd provisions in legislation, policy, and practice at federal, state, and district levels, ultimately elevating the educational achievement of all children.
This groundbreaking initiative employed strategic approaches encompassing policy frameworks, policy-relevant research, and collaborations within the philanthropic sector. This propelled the Pre-K – 3rd continuum onto the policy map and yielded state and local exemplars of aligned systems, structures, and educational settings. The initiative not only influenced federal policy but also spurred state and district-level changes. It fostered partnerships and practices that placed Pre-K – 3rd at the forefront of strategies to improve children’s school success. The Foundation’s investments in research, communications, and policy during that time left an enduring legacy in shaping early childhood systems and fostering children’s early learning success.