EDC and Alabama Expand Partnership to Improve Children’s Outcomes

Education Development Center (EDC) has been awarded $1.6 million from the Alabama Department of Early Childhood Education to support 17 Alabama communities in using EDC’s effective First 10 approach to ensure all children learn and thrive. The award builds on the First 10 team’s current successful work with six schools in the state.

“We are excited to collaborate with Alabama to deepen and expand the First 10 progress that is underway in the state,” says David Jacobson, First 10 director. “State leaders are dedicated to improving outcomes for children, and we look forward to advancing their efforts to provide high-quality care and education to all of Alabama’s children.”

On September 16, EDC and the Alabama Department of Early Childhood Education will kick off their work to collaboratively design, plan, and prepare for the launch of First 10 in seven of the new communities. The First 10 team will then provide intensive technical assistance to support the communities in developing and growing First 10 school-community partnerships that ensure school readiness, school success, and well-being.

EDC launched First 10 in 2019, and the initiative has served 56 communities to date. In sites across the country, First 10 community partnerships are playing a powerful role in improving the quality of teaching and learning, coordinating and delivering comprehensive services, and deepening partnerships with families. In 2022, W.K. Kellogg Foundation supported EDC in creating a First 10 network that connects sites to support collaborative problem-solving, promote shared learning, and publish lessons learned to inform the field.

A recent evaluation conducted by the American Institutes of Research found that among other positive outcomes, First 10 pilot sites:

• Addressed barriers that limit families’ access to school readiness services.
• Increased collaboration between Pre-K and Kindergarten teachers.
• Aligned Pre-K and Kindergarten practices.
• Raised awareness of the importance of early learning through Parenting Campaigns.
• Improved collaboration among schools, early childhood programs, and community partners.

We invite you to contact David Jacobson to learn more about First 10, explore First 10 resources, subscribe to the First 10 newsletter, and follow First 10 on LinkedIn. Learn more about all of EDC’s Early Childhood Development & Learning and Maternal Health & Home Visiting initiatives.