BOARD OF EDUCATION Attachment: Consent 10. PALO ALTO UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT Date:

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1 BOARD OF EDUCATION Attachment: Consent 10 PALO ALTO UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT Date: TO: FROM: SUBJECT: Board of Education Members Max Glenn McGee, Superintendent Strong Start Resolution STRATEGIC PLAN INITIATIVE Governance and Communication RECOMMENDATION It is recommended the Board approve the resolution to support and endorse Strong Start of Santa Clara County and its commitment to expanding access to high quality early learning opportunities for all children ages 0 to 8 in the County. This item was discussed at its March 22, 2016 meeting. BACKGROUND At the last Board meeting two community members discussed Santa Clara County s Strong Start Initiative and asked that the Board consider taking action at regular meeting to formally support the attached resolution. This presentation followed a letter to Board President, Emberling earlier in the month (see attachment). From the letter we learned the Strong Start coalition, is a coalition of school districts, community leaders, early education providers, nonprofit organizations, elected officials, members of the business community and other key stakeholders who are committed to expanding access to high quality early learning opportunities for all children age 0 to 8 in Santa Clara County. In the letter, it was further indicated, Ratifying the resolution will demonstrate the district's ongoing commitment to using its resources to expanding access to high quality early learning opportunities for all children in the district. Likewise, the presenters identified several coalition members and commended PAUSD on our tangible and successful commitment to early childhood education as evidenced by our programs at Greendell (Springboard, Young Fives, Transitional Kindergarten, Special Education Pre School) and our outreach to the families of preschool children. Most recently our consideration of expanding the length of the kindergarten day following recommendations from the Minority Achievement and Talent Development Advisory Committee is further evidence of this commitment. Given our past, present, and future support of early learning, staff endorses the request from the coalition. This tangible commitment not only reflects our practices but ideally will inspire partners in Palo Alto and throughout the county to join as well. The investment into early education clearly has proven and will continue to prove to provide significant educational benefits for children but will also continue to be a sound use of financial resources. As the presenters noted, and as research corroborates, investing a dollar in early childhood education can save up to seven dollars in support services later in a child s education trajectory.

2 ó!r Y Santa Clara County Office of Education Jon R, Gundry County Superintendent of Schools February 17,2076 Heidi Emberling, President, Palo Alto USD Board of Trustees Palo Alto Unified School District 25 ChurchillAvenue Palo Alto, CA Dear President Emberling, Strong Start is a coalition of school districts, community leaders, early education providers, nonprofit organizations, elected officials, members of the business community and other key stakeholders who are committed to expanding access to high quality early learning opportunities for all children age 0 to 8 in Santa Clara County. We are currently introducing our coalition to all school districts in the County and encouraging them to use the flexibility and resources given to them by the Local Control Funding Formula / Local Control Accountability Plan process and the Every Student Succeeds Act to increase access to high quality early childhood education opportunities for the children and families they serve. Palo Alto Unified School District has already demonstrated its commitment to high quality early childhood education by taking many of the steps we are encouraging other districts to consider. We would like to expand Strong Start's existing collaborations with districts by asking you to (i) (ii) (iii) join the Strong Start coalition so that we can add your name and logo to our Strong Start website ( and / or pass the attached draft resolution, or one similar. Ratifying the resolution will demonstrate the district's ongoing commitment to using its resources to expanding access to high quality early learning opportunities for all children in the districl, and f or invite members of the Strong Start coalition to make a presentation to your district Board on the goals and activities of the project to raise parent and community awareness of the benefits of high quality early learning. Please feel free to contact me to discuss these options. Thank you for your commitment to your earliest learners. Sincerely, Matthew Tinsley, Director- Strong Start Project, Office of the Superintendent Santa Clara County Office of Education Ema il : matthew_ti nsley@sccoe.org Ph : (408) CC: Superintendent Glenn McGee, Palo Alto Unified School District STR0IILåSTART

3 WHEREAS the first eight years of life and schooling establish a foundation for the future success of children and their ability to reach their full potential; and WHEREAS access to high quality early childhood education has been demonstrated to improve school and life outcomes for children and to create financial and other benefits to society; and WHEREAS, high quality early childhood education has been shown to reduce or eliminate the Achievement Gap; in which Hispanic/Latino and African-American students are less likely to perform at proficient levels in English-Language Arts and Mathematics than White and Asian students, with economic, and moral implications for a society committed to the ideal of equal opportunity; and WHEREAS, high quality early childhood education programs have a direct impact on at least four of the required Local Control Accountability Plan planning and reporting priorities: student achievement, student engagement, school climate and parent involvement; and WHEREAS, the federal Every Student Succeeds Act states that providing early education programs is an allowable use of Title I funds, and that Title II funds can be used to improve instruction in the early grades and to support joint professional learning and planning activities for school staff and preschool educators, and; WHEREAS, Strong Start of Santa Clara County is a coalition of school districts, community leaders, early education providers, nonprofit organizations, elected officials, members of the business community and other key stakeholders who are committed to expanding access to high quality early learning opportunities for all children ages 0 to 8 in Santa Clara County; NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, the Board of Trustees of the <<district name>> supports and endorses Strong Start of Santa Clara County and its commitment to expanding access to high quality early learning opportunities for all children ages 0 to 8 in Santa County, PASSED AND ADOPTED by the <<district name>> at a meeting held on <<date>> by the following vote: AYES: NOES: ABSTAIN: ABSENT:

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