Greetings,

TECEC wanted to share a few developments and updates in early education with you.

1. The Texas State Advisory Council on Early Childhood Education and Care formed—TECEC represented well.

The Governor appointed Texas State Advisory Council will direct spending on a pending 11.3 million dollar federal stimulus grant, and is required by the Federal Improving Head Start for School Readiness Act of 2007.  The Council will also work towards developing a comprehensive system of early care and education that ensures coordination and collaboration among early childhood programs throughout Texas.
 
Dr. John Gasko, Director of State Initiatives for the Children's Learning Institute (CLI) at The University of Texas Health Science Center, has been appointed Chair of the Council.  He is an example of the presence of current and former TECEC leadership on this important state level group. Five of the 18 appointments made by Governor Perry have served or currently serve on TECEC advisory committees.

The list of appointees is as follows:

Bringing different representatives from the early education community together to inform decisions and develop policy reccomendations is a winning model.  Since the inception of the Texas Early Childhood Education Coalition in 2003, Texas has invested over $100 million in early education.  By working together, Texas has advanced high-quality early care and education more than most states.  The decision to appoint a diverse group of experts to such an important council will certainly help to move high-quality early care and education forward in Texas in a cooperative and collaborative manner.

2. Movement on the Early Learning Challenge Fund in D.C.

As you may know already, HR 3221, the Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act recently passed the House of Representatives in Washington DC.  Important for early education supporters, the bill includes $8 billion to assist state early education programs over the next 8 years.  The U.S. Senate must now pass its own version of bill.  Look for more updates soon. To read more about the Early Learning Challenge Fund read this memo from Pre-k Now.

3. Texas Licensed Child Care Association Annual Fall Conference November 6,7 & 8.

Join TLCCA as they celebrate 50 years of serving the child care industry during their fall conference at the Omni Hotel 1590 LBJ Freeway Dallas, Texas 75234.  More information available, HERE.

4. Registration Now Available for the Infant Mental Health Advocacy Conference January 8-9, 2010

Join the Texas Association for Infant Mental Health (TAIMH) for this important conference that will feature co-presenters T. Berry Brazelton and Dr. Joshua Sparrow. TECEC leadership will also be in attendance and will participate in a panel discussion. More information available, HERE.

5. The TECEC Model Pre-k Classroom Sale was a major success!

We are so thankful for everyone that came out to support TECEC last Wednesday at the sale.  It was a major success! One hour into the sale only five items remained unsold. We also greatly appreciate the support of Kaplan Early Learning Company, Ruby’s BBQ, and The Texas Pie Kitchen for their generosity and support with this event.

Thank you for all that you do,

Your TECEC Team

You can now follow TECEC on: