Policy Briefing on Success of Pre-Kindergarten in Montgomery County (Md) Schools Set for June 12

6/3/2003

From: Aggie Alvez of Montgomery County Public Schools 301-279-3106, or email: Aggie_Alvez@mcpsmd.org

News Advisory:

Event: Policy Briefing on Success of Pre-Kindergarten in Montgomery County (Md) Schools

When: Thursday, June 12, 9-11 a.m. EDT

Where: Holeman Lounge, The National Press Club, 529 14th Street, NW, Washington, D.C.

Details: Longitudinal research findings on a comprehensive early education reform initiative in Montgomery County (Md) Public Schools show great promise for raising academic achievement, particularly among low-income students and English language learners. The findings also raise significant policy questions for the No Child Left Behind law regarding standards for quality prekindergarten, mobility, and diagnostic assessments.

This policy briefing, co-sponsored by the American Educational Research Association, the Committee for Economic Development, and the Institute for Educational Leadership, will assess the strengths and challenges of broad-based early childhood education reform in one of the largest and most diverse school systems in the nation. Panelists will discuss the implications for school districts' efforts to comply with No Child Left Behind.

Charles E.M. Kolb, president of the Committee for Economic Development, will moderate. Jerry D. Weast, superintendent of Montgomery County Public Schools will present findings from the study. Panelists include Harold Hodgkinson, director, Center for Demographic Study, Institute for Educational Leadership; Edward Joyner, executive director, School Development Program, Yale Child Study Center; Craig Ramey, director, Georgetown Center on Health and Education; and Amy Wilkins, Executive Director, The Trust for Early Education.