Of Note

 A category for reposting any articles, studies, stories, etc that relate to Way to Grow. For example, a local news article about the achievement gap in MN or a national study about the benefits of early childhood education.
 Include some commentary on the content of the information rather than simply reposting it.
 Include a link to the original location of the piece.
 Since links can become obsolete, consider copying/pasting the full piece or pulling out just the relevant information. If you do this, make sure it’s clear that you are quoting the piece and not trying to claim ownership of the content.

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Invest Now or Pay More Later: A Conversation about Early Childhood with Economist Dr. Art Rolnick
Invest Now or Pay More Later: A Conversation about Early Childhood with Economist Dr. Art Rolnick 150 150 Way to Grow

 

Way to Grow Board Member Dr. Art Rolnick, the Co-Director of the Human Capital Research Collaborative at the Humphrey School of Public Affairs, University of Minnesota, recently joined Marti and Erin Erickson, co-hosts of Mom Enough, in their studio. As usual, Art spoke eloquently about the importance of investing in early learning programs. We’re so grateful to have Art’s support.

To hear the interview, click here.

On their blog and in frequent interviews, Marti and Erin explore the many facets of motherhood in today’s world – from confronting the daily joys and struggles of helping kids grow up well, to balancing work and family, to considering the big questions of how society views and values mothers and mothering. Follow along at momenough.com.

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U of M Economist Publishes Study on Early Ed
U of M Economist Publishes Study on Early Ed 150 150 Way to Grow

Courtesy of University of Minnesota / MinnPost

University of Minnesota professor Aaron Sojourner recently published a study in The Journal of Human Resources centered on the role that high quality pre-k programs can have in tackling the achievement gap.

In an article published in MinnPost, Educator reporter Beth Hawkins wrote, “By age 3, children from low-income families are typically one standard deviation behind their wealthier peers on IQ tests. The 1,000 children in the study who got the very early intervention had the same cognitive abilities as middle- and upper-income kids at age 3.”

In his interview with Hawkins, Sojourner said, “Status at 18 can be well predicted by status at age 5, so we keep going back earlier,” said Sojourner. “And there is compelling experimental and quasi-experimental evidence that early life conditions have large, lasting impacts on life course.”

Hawkins also referenced a study by economist (and Way to Grow board member) Art Rolnick that proposed early ed funding for all low-income 3 and 4 year olds based on the incredible return on investment such funding has shown to have on the economy.

Click here to read: New study: High-quality preschool for poor kids under 3 would eliminate achievement gap

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Rep. Winkler Putting Forth Early Ed Bill
Rep. Winkler Putting Forth Early Ed Bill 150 150 Way to Grow

Today, Representative Ryan Winkler will announce a bill to continue Minnesota’s investment in early childhood education, close the achievement gap, and build on the work done in 2013’s ‘Education Session.’

The bill, authored by Representative Ryan Winkler, calls for increased funding for early learning scholarships, which research has proven addresses the achievement gap, and in turn, prepares Minnesota’s children for a lifetime of success. Additionally, the bill seeks to increase the flexibility of scholarships so that every parent can choose the right program for their child.  Senator Melisa Franzen will author the bill in the Senate.

Members of the MinneMinds coalition, a statewide campaign focused on increasing Minnesota’s investment in early childhood education, will be there to support teachers, providers, parents, legislators and economists who believe increasing access to high quality early education for all Minnesotan children is the best investment our state can make.

– from a Media Alert issued by State Representative Ryan Winkler’s office.

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Way to Grow Family Featured in Pioneer Press
Way to Grow Family Featured in Pioneer Press 150 150 Way to Grow

Below is a great feature about one of Way to Grow’s families published in the Pioneer Press.

Jyakima is a single father whose holiday wish is full-time employment. In the meantime, he’s a full-time volunteer. What a guy!

Thanks to the Greater Twin Cities United Way for helping Jyakima’s wish come true!

[excerpted from the Pioneer Press]

Jyakima Cration is a volunteer the students and staff at the Little Earth Youth Development Center can count on.

As the kids flowed into the after-school program at the Minneapolis center on a recent afternoon, Cration was there — as usual — to help with homework.

“I have a lot of volunteers, but only two who are consistent, and one of those is Jyakima,” says Frank Downwind, the center’s youth services director. “With cutbacks and shortages in funding, consistent volunteers who can help with the kids are more important than ever.”

Cration, 37, a single father, was nominated for Holiday Wishes — the newspaper’s annual giving program with Greater Twin Cities United Way — by Way to Grow, an early-learning program.

“Jyakima was referred to Way to Grow through the Father Project,” wrote Jill Johnson, a Way to Grow spokeswoman. “He and his son, Saint, have been working with one of our family educators since February 2011.

“Throughout the past two years, Jyakima has many accomplishments under his belt. He graduated from the Father Project, a job-training program, now works with a temp agency, received full custody of his son and began mentoring teen boys at Little Earth. He has made huge strides in working toward financial stability.”

**To read the full article visit the Pioneer Press.

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