Kellogg Foundation Provides 'Spark' for Children's Increased School Readiness Through Better Coordination of Preschool, Early Learning Settings

4/30/2002

From: David Cournoyer of the Kellogg Foundation, 616-968-1611; E-mail: david.cournoyer@wkkf.org

BATTLE CREEK, Mich., April 30 -- Communities in seven states and the District of Columbia are joining a W.K. Kellogg Foundation education initiative to help more vulnerable youngsters begin school prepared to learn.

In a new initiative called "Supporting Partnerships to Assure Ready Kids" (SPARK), eight grantee organizations are leading intensive, community-wide planning efforts to develop strategies that create seamless transitions to school for vulnerable children ages 3-6. Of some 4 million American children who start school every year, as many as one-third are not ready to learn, according to educators.

The initiative will serve as a catalyst or "spark" to help children transition to school ready to learn and to help schools get ready for children. SPARK sites will include partnerships of communities, state agencies and child advocacy groups, and schools in Florida; Georgia; Hawaii; Mississippi; New Mexico, North Carolina; Ohio; and Washington, DC.

"By working together to coordinate what happens to children before school, these community-state partnerships can help kids be ready to learn in kindergarten and first grade," said Gail McClure, the Foundation's Vice President for Youth and Education Programs.

In early 2002, the Kellogg Foundation awarded grants totaling $1.76 million to support planning efforts of all eight grantees over the coming year. Each grantee will create coalitions, identify a strategic infrastructure to support school readiness, and forge a community blueprint for the success of children who are most vulnerable to poor achievement.

At the end of this planning period, each grantee will produce a community-designed action plan to improve outcomes for vulnerable children ages 3-6. The plans will be submitted for implementation funding over five years. Pending approval by the Foundation's Board of Trustees, each plan could receive additional funds for a period expected to last from Spring 2003 through 2008.

When children begin school, they come to school from many different backgrounds. Research shows that quality care and early education are critical for school readiness, especially for that of low-income children. Too many vulnerable children, however, spend their preschool years in un-healthy and un-stimulating environments. SPARK intends to foster environments where all children are learners.

SPARK will focus on serving vulnerable children who are not being fully served by other programs and services. Even though many existing efforts focus on low-income children, data show that these programs fail to reach all youngsters who are eligible to be served. Head Start, for example, reaches only 40 percent of all children it was created to serve.

"SPARK will work with underserved parents and communities directly in the process of creating plans and solutions to better serve children," said Phyllis Meadows, lead Program Director for the SPARK initiative.

The Kellogg Foundation was established in 1930 "to help people help themselves." Grants are concentrated in food systems and rural development; health; philanthropy and volunteerism; and youth and education. In addition to supporting the development of young people, the Foundation has a long history of working with communities and vulnerable citizens. For more information, see http://www.wkkf.org/SPARK.

SPARK Initiative Phase I Grantees:

FLORIDA - The Early Childhood Initiative Foundation, Miami GEORGIA - Georgia Early Learning Initiative/United Way of Metropolitan Atlanta HAWAII - Institute for Native Pacific Education and Culture, Kapolei MISSISSIPPI - Children's Defense Fund/Black Community Crusade for Children Southern Regional Office, Jackson NEW MEXICO - New Mexico Community Foundation, Santa Fe NORTH CAROLINA - Smart Start/North Carolina Partnership for Children, Raleigh OHIO - Sisters of Charity Foundation of Canton WASHINGTON, D.C. - National Black Child Development Institute