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UNITED WAY OF NEW YORK CITY LAUNCHES GROUNDBREAKING EARLY-EDUCATION INITIATIVE TO IMPROVE EDUCATION OUTCOMES FOR NYC KIDS -----------------------------------------------
Initiative to ensure third graders meeting proficiency standards and attendance rates stay high
Bronx, NY – United Way of New York City at a press conference today at East Side House announced the launch of Supporting Transitions From Early-education to Public School (STEPS), an initiative that seeks to ensure that a child’s learning and developmental needs are continuously met during the first eight years of life. The initiative will help educators, administrators and families better support children’s social, emotional and intellectual growth through developmentally appropriate practices that foster lifelong learning.
STEPS will help ensure that gains made as a result of quality early learning experiences are sustained from kindergarten through third grade — critical transition years. STEPS will initially benefit more than 1,000 children as a demonstration project that intends to see increases in:
- the number of third graders who meet reading and math proficiency standards;
- attendance rates for students in grades 1–3; and
- the number of students in grades 1–3 promoted on time.
“Across New York City, children in low income neighborhoods often make great strides in pre-school only to fall behind their peers when they enter elementary school,” said Gordon Campbell, President and CEO of United Way of NYC. “We cannot allow our children to lose the gains achieved through early childhood learning experiences. STEPS will make sure New York City kids’ needs are being met right through the third grade. This is so important because children who fail to meet reading and math proficiency standards by the end of third grade are much more likely to drop out of school later.”
The STEPS initiative aims to significantly improve educational outcomes throughout the New York City public school system via a program-to-policy approach. STEPS has started small as a demonstration project in targeted low-income, underserved neighborhoods representative of larger communities with similar needs. In conjunction with its partners, UWNYC will rigorously evaluate the project to determine what works and what doesn’t in order to fine-tune a model for replication city-wide. Best practices emerging from STEPS will be incorporated into policy that will ultimately benefit children in schools throughout the entire New York City public school system.
“We know that when a child falls behind early, it’s that much more difficult to rebound in later years,” said Schools Chancellor Joel I. Klein. “With STEPS, we’re deepening educators’ and families’ knowledge of child development, which will serve as a foundation for reflecting on teaching and parenting practices. I’m grateful to United Way and our other partners for all they’ve done to make this a successful first year.”
United Way of NYC has partnered with the New York City Department of Education, Administration for Children’s Services, the Center for Early Childhood Professionals at Bank Street College, City University of New York’s Early Childhood Professional Development Institute, East Side House Settlement and Lehman College.
“Children’s Services is proud to be a partner in the STEPS Birth-8 Initiative. We recognize the importance of our children and families making a positive, smooth transition from early care and education programs to public schools,” said John B. Mattingly, Commissioner of the Administration for Children’s Services (ACS). “We are excited to have five of our Child Care and Head Start programs in the South Bronx participating in the STEPS Initiative. The lessons learned from this initiative will help us in the development of a seamless early education and public school system.”
JPMorgan Chase Foundation is the Lead Funding Partner for STEPS. The initiative is also supported by United Way of New York City’s Women United in Philanthropy.
“We take great pride in our history of supporting organizations and programs that strengthen the communities we serve. This innovative, interagency collaborative will change the course for NYC’s children, families, educators & communities. We believe STEPS will set a new standard for how to effectively transition pre-k students to elementary school and put them on a path to success,” said Kimberly B. Davis, JPMorgan Chase Foundation President.
ABOUT UNITED WAY FOR NEW YORK CITY
United Way of New York City (UWNYC) brings together people, resources and ideas to achieve long-lasting systemic changes that improve the education, income stability and health of low-income New Yorkers, and foster a more robust and effective nonprofit sector. We believe that everyone has a role in building a better future for all. We offer diverse opportunities for New Yorkers to give, advocate and volunteer to advance the common good. To learn more about our work and how to get involved, visit www.unitedwaynyc.org.
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