Education
Early Childhood Education
Research shows that children who participate in high-quality preschool are more prepared for kindergarten, more likely to finish high school, and less likely to end up in prison than those who don't. But many parents don't have access to high-quality preschool programs. The Foundation supports policy initiatives aimed at expanding early childhood education for young children in Illinois and Wisconsin, both by expanding access to high-quality preschool and by increasing educational opportunities for children in community-based child care. The following are highlights of recent work on Early Childhood Education; for a complete list of Early Childhood Education grants, see program grants list.
FeaturedTopic
Mismatch Between Growing Population and Available Early Childhood Education Programs (8/14/2007)
While the state of Illinois has made great efforts to expand access to early childhood education through its Preschool for All plan, many Latino children lag in preschool enrollment and school readiness. According to a new policy brief from Latinos United, lack of facilities in Latino neighborhoods presents a major barrier in access to early childhood education programs.
News
Early Childhood Education in Illinois (from the 2005 Annual Report) (6/01/2006)
Illinois is home to some 900,000 children in the earliest stages of life. Because research shows that children's earliest experiences profoundly affect the way their brains develop, the Joyce Foundation has committed $1 million a year in grants to promote high-quality early learning experiences, especially for children in Illinois and Wisconsin.
Illinois Leaders Issue Blueprint for State Preschool Expansion (6/01/2006)
Children who participate in high-quality preschool are more prepared for kindergarten, more likely to finish high school, and less likely to end up in prison than those who don't. But many parents don't have access to high-quality preschool programs. A report from The Illinois Early Learning Council provides a blueprint to make preschool available for every three- and four-year-old in Illinois.
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